Locking Tuners for Journey OF660

jonfields45 · #1 03-30-2017, 09:24 AM

Do any of you long term owners think it might benefit from locking tuners? Not to reduce the number of wraps on the post for tuning stability, but as a better way to secure the string when the neck is off.

https://www.amplifiedparts.com/produ...-locking-3side

Thanks,

NoodleFingers · #2 03-30-2017, 10:42 AM

I don't have any personal experience with detachable-neck guitars, but what you're saying makes a lot of sense to me.

I swapped out the tuners on my RainSong with locking tuners, and I've been very happy with them.

Earl49 · #3 03-30-2017, 12:10 PM

I have experience with folding neck guitars (Voyage-Air) but none with locking tuners. The Voyage-Air had a zero fret and a "captive nut" with holes instead of slots, to completely capture the strings.

Ted @ LA Guitar Sales · #4 03-30-2017, 12:22 PM

Hi Jon,

The strings are captured, so no need to worry about the strings going anywhere when the neck is off, but I do think that locking tuners would help with getting the guitar back in tune faster. Certainly not needed, but a nice touch, IMO.

Res Ipsa · #5 03-30-2017, 12:48 PM

Jon, let us know how the fit is if you decide to install them. I have the OF660 and might do the same. I have Gotoh full size locking tuners on a Gibson Les Paul and like them very much.

I also wonder if the additional mass of locking tuners might enrich the 660's already nice tone in any perceptible way. Hmmm

JohnDWilliams · #6 03-30-2017, 01:05 PM

The Grovers were a good fit on my OF660 but they broke strings. There are reviews on Amazon related to this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-r...SIN=B0007Y3XGW

I was able to get around the problem by getting a few turns on the tuners but that pretty much defeats the purpose. I took the Grovers off and got some Wilkinsons similar to these:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wilkinson-JI...0AAOSwbqpT9-dH

They work well and make tuning very stable. Didn't notice any change in tone.

Earl49 · #7 03-30-2017, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Res Ipsa

....I also wonder if the additional mass of locking tuners might enrich the 660's already nice tone in any perceptible way.....

That would be easy enough to test. Just clamp a small comparable weight to the headstock, and see if there is a perceptible difference. Probably not is my guess, but it's just a guess. I recall that some electric bass players used to do this to help avoid wolf notes.

TheChicagoTodd · #8 03-30-2017, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnDWilliams

The Grovers were a good fit on my OF660 but they broke strings. There are reviews on Amazon related to this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-r...SIN=B0007Y3XGW

I was able to get around the problem by getting a few turns on the tuners but that pretty much defeats the purpose. I took the Grovers off and got some Wilkinsons similar to these:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wilkinson-JI...0AAOSwbqpT9-dH

They work well and make tuning very stable. Didn't notice any change in tone.

JohnDWilliams...

Interesting. I was "breaking down" my OF660 about twice a week, so that's not very much. Since I bought their Road trip bag (which is great btw), now I only break it down to travel on an airplane.

Getting to my point, I wasn't sure that the OP's point was a problem that needed solving. I didn't find tuning to be much of a problem. What are your thoughts?

Todd in Chicago

Sent from my SM-G928V using Tapatalk

jonfields45 · #9 03-30-2017, 07:48 PM

I have the Planet Waves locking tuners on my RainSong:

I am using them with minimum wraps for tuning stability and they are impressive. I tune up at the beginning of a three set gig and while I check the tuning after breaks, it can basically go the entire gig. It is a combination of the stability of CF and a great locking tuner (which also trims the string to length).

But I do understand the breakage problem that can occur if the hard angle of the string leaving the tuner post is stressed which is why when I install strings on locking tuners I try to get a bit more than half of a full wrap. If I was to put them on the Journey, I would treat them like non locking tuners and go for two complete wraps. My thought was the locking would help keep the strings in place when the neck is off, which is probably optimizing a problem already solved by the string retainer at the nut. The particular Grover I am looking at uses a thumb wheel for locking (not the self locking version) which gives you more control over how tight it is locked.

My OF660 has not even been delivered and I am already scheming new ways to spend money...

JohnDWilliams · #10 03-30-2017, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheChicagoTodd

JohnDWilliams...

...

Getting to my point, I wasn't sure that the OP's point was a problem that needed solving. I didn't find tuning to be much of a problem. What are your thoughts?

...

Tuning stability has not been a big problem for me with folding guitars. I've had a Voyage Air and a couple Brunners and along with the OF660 they all hold tune pretty well after folding/unfolding even with regular tuners.

Locking tuners are a little better when unfolding and quite a bit better in normal use for all guitars. The lack of wraps on the post is not insignificant. I've installed locking tuners on a lot of different guitars and in my experience it is worth it.

With regular tuners on a folding guitar I've had a few times where the string came unwound from the post when folded. I've heard of using a capo to prevent this but I'm ok with replacing the tuners since there are other benefits.

I put the Planet Waves locking and self-trimming tuners on my Rainsong Parlor too. They make string changes really quick and tool-free. I've gigged with that guitar quite a bit and it's nice to know that changing a broken string would be quick and easy and I wouldn't have to dig up any tools or a winder. I've never actually broken a string so I guess it's a bit moot.

"Scheming for new ways to spend money" is spot on though.

TheChicagoTodd · #11 03-30-2017, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnDWilliams

Tuning stability has not been a big problem for me with folding guitars. I've had a Voyage Air and a couple Brunners and along with the OF660 they all hold tune pretty well after folding/unfolding even with regular tuners.

Locking tuners are a little better when unfolding and quite a bit better in normal use for all guitars. The lack of wraps on the post is not insignificant. I've installed locking tuners on a lot of different guitars and in my experience it is worth it.

With regular tuners on a folding guitar I've had a few times where the string came unwound from the post when folded. I've heard of using a capo to prevent this but I'm ok with replacing the tuners since there are other benefits.

I put the Planet Waves locking and self-trimming tuners on my Rainsong Parlor too. They make string changes really quick and tool-free. I've gigged with that guitar quite a bit and it's nice to know that changing a broken string would be quick and easy and I wouldn't have to dig up any tools or a winder. I've never actually broken a string so I guess it's a bit moot.

"Scheming for new ways to spend money" is spot on though.

John...

Thx for the info, very interesting stuff!

Cheers...

Todd in Chicago

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dsokolov · #12 04-20-2017, 01:09 AM

I recently replaced stock tuners with black Gotoh SD 510 locking tuners.
They have higher gear ratio (21:1) and look nicer. But really not much of an improvement. Stock tuners were OK.

http://dsokolov.FamilyDS.com/photo/s...3734322e6a7067

pandaroo · #13 04-20-2017, 02:10 AM

I used to have Brunner Guitar that has removable neck. It comes standard with locking tuners and it worked quite well and i think the locking tuners actually played a role in keeping in tune better when you assemble and disassemble the neck. But I don't think it will be a significant improvement to my OF660.