Locking Tuner Recommendations for Newark St. Guild Starfire V

[midnightsmayor]

Just purchased a black Guild Startfire V off of Sweetwater and joined this group minutes later. I'm looking to upgrade to locking tuners and was wondering if anyone had any recommendations. I don't want to have to do any drilling. Really just hoping for a 1 to 1 replacement. I've seen a few recommendations on this site but it wasn't clear if they were direct replacements that didn't require drilling. Thanks in advance!

 

[GAD]

I don't know if there are any direct replacements. This might work, though it looks like it takes some time and work: http://gretschpages.com/forum/other-equipment/how-to-sta-tite-to-locking-tuner-conversion/619/page1/

Maybe the Klusons shown on that page will fit? He wanted to keep the look which is why he went to the extremes.

Checking out the drawings on Stewmac might help: https://www.stewmac.com/Hardware_an...r_181_Sta-Tite_97-18_Series_3and3_Tuners.html

 

[midnightsmayor]

I don't know if there are any direct replacements. This might work, though it looks like it takes some time and work: http://gretschpages.com/forum/other-equipment/how-to-sta-tite-to-locking-tuner-conversion/619/page1/

Maybe the Klusons shown on that page will fit? He wanted to keep the look which is why he went to the extremes.

Checking out the drawings on Stewmac might help: https://www.stewmac.com/Hardware_an...r_181_Sta-Tite_97-18_Series_3and3_Tuners.html

I suppose I don’t really need locking tuners. I really just want to change the color of the tuning pegs to the pearloid like the Klusons in your example.

 

[jp]

You might want to look into Waverly tuners too. There are variations that are direct replacements for Grover Sta-tites that have pearl button knobs. These might work. Compare drawing specs with the Grovers.

 

[midnightsmayor]

You might want to look into Waverly tuners too. There are variations that are direct replacements for Grover Sta-tites that and have pearl button knobs. These might work. Compare drawing specs with the Grovers.

Awesome, should work great. Much appreciated!

 

[jp]

They're nice but really pricey. My refinned T-100DB came with the Waverly cream-colored buttons on them. They solidly hold tune even with a Bigsby.

 

[Nuuska]

They're nice but really pricey. My refinned T-100DB came with the Waverly cream-colored buttons on them. They solidly hold tune even with a Bigsby.

Methinks the de-tuning problem with Bigsby has more to do with how the strings slide over the nut. They will not come back as easy as they go towards the tuners. That's why the guitars w Floyd Rose etc have locking nuts. ( oh my - what an expression . . . )

With Bigsby - or any other - when twisting to lower the note, the string tension gets lower and makes the string to rock the bridge or roll over the saddle rolls. In perfect world they "return" when vibrato arm is released. In real world there can be some slipping and sliding - andthen you end out of tune. Same holds true with nut. If the string gets loose enough, it snudges a bit towards the pegs - and it will not return because of the friction.

 

[Mark WW]

It is rarely the tuners at fault when tuning stability is an issue with a Bigsby. You are correct Nuuska to suggest the nut but I like locking tuners as it eliminates another issue which is incorrectly wrapping the string to the post. I have a picture I look at every single time and after 59 years I still screw it up (like my playing) with regular tuners. The lockers eliminate this weak spot for me and make changing a string much less of a hassle. So for that reason alone locking tuners are GREAT!

 

[Nuuska]

... So for that reason alone locking tuners are GREAT!

100% agree with that