ShortScale.org

I'm making a backup guitar, and I need some recommendations on machine head tuners. I've looked at these Sprezel Trim-Lok tuners, which seem pretty good but don't say if they're 12:1 or 16:1. Any info on those, or other suggestions are appreciated. Thanks

I like Schallers.

Even these Gotoh schaller copies are pretty good:

Grover are my personal fave but...
Depends on the guitar i think, all the leading brands are good so i would try and consider aesthetics. Kluson for Fender, Kluson or Grover for Gibson types, Schaller are good as are Sperzel. Gotoh are decent on a budget.

Well, I'm using a strat neck so Kluson is the best choice then?

If your going for a vintage vibe i'd say so, but Schallers or Sperzels will look fine i think.

Fran wrote:If your going for a vintage vibe i'd say so, but Schallers or Sperzels will look fine i think.

I don't mind how they look, though if they look like standard fender ones that's better. Basically, I want some that will hold tuning well, and are 16:1.

Who cares about the tuning ratio? Or, why do you care what the ratio of the tuners is?

Higher ratio means easier fine adjustments, and usually more stable (unless there was something about your question that I missed).

MatthewK wrote:Higher ratio means easier fine adjustments, and usually more stable (unless there was something about your question that I missed).

This

All good quality tuners do this. I don't think I've ever considered tuner gear ratio in my life.

It might be snake-oil, but Grover for example make 14:1 and 18:1 versions of the same tuners. The latter are more expensive because (I guess) they require closer tolerances to get them right.
That said, I have no idea what the ratios are on my guitars and they are all pretty stable once you sort out the nut.

I've had good experiences with the quality of tuners from guitarfetish.com. Plus, their prices are pretty damn amazing.

i have high and low ratio tuners.
they both hold tune. i have to treat the 59 duo tuners with a bit more love, but they are still doing a fine job after 50 years.
for the most part, some good kluson slot heads are perfect for me.

I doubt there's much difference between the ratios, but surely a shorter gear will afford more control, owing to the fact that it'll be torquier and it's output will be less in terms of travel?

Ratio has never meant anything to me, all im interested in is if they hold tune. The Grovers on my JS stay in tune from one month to the next, them chaff Schaller copies on the Franrite need fiddling with every 20 minutes.... i MUST upgrade them.

BacchusPaul wrote:surely a shorter gear will afford more control, owing to the fact that it'll be torquier and it's output will be less in terms of travel?

Yep, you're right, a higher ratio is a "shorter" gear (more turns of the input shaft per turn of the output shaft, or put another way, less turn of the string end per turn of the knob). And conversely, harder for tension on the string end to pull on the knob, hence stability.

Go for looks!

the tuners on my jaguar suck, unless i play it really lightly and softly they don't hold tune well. it always seems as though they're out of tune.
and the tuners on my strat suck also.

Just ordered some Grovers for the Franrite thanks to this thread.

Soooo...
Which ones for my strat neck?