Opinions on Gotoh Tuners?

[ChalkLitIScream]

Regarding the different variants such as the HAP, HAP-M and Magnum Lock, anyone care to share their experience and reviews?

Im debating on going for the SGV510z either with the HAP or the HAPM one.
Are the HAPM ones more fragile because they are made up of seperate parts?

[NoodleFingers]

How do you feel about locking tuners? I swapped out a set of perfectly good Gotoh 310s on my RainSong for some MG-T 510s. I couldn't be happier that I did.

Locking tuners make changing strings SO much quicker and easier. I'll never go back. Unless you're terribly concerned about increased weight at the headstock (not that much, really), I'd strongly suggest it.

Since I was going to the trouble of changing them, I went ahead and got the best tuners I could, with the 21:1 ratio. It's smooth like butter. But the locking aspect was the only reason to bother. Those 310s were **** nice tuners, too.

[ChalkLitIScream]

I actually have the option to get the locking tuners added for an extra $5, and I was thinking about it too.
The HAP tuners are $20 more than the standard ones and the HAPM is about $25 more than standard.

How do you feel about the life of the tuners now? As in how long have you had them and do they still function great?
Thanks

[jpbat]

Any models of Gotoh tuners I installed on my guitars have been faultless and nice looking.
The only problem I got with Gotoh is the number of options.

Lately I installed their banjo tuners on some guitar paddle headstocks, for aesthetic reasons, and on weissenborn headstocks, for practical reasons.
Love them. And I don't have to look for that string winder anymore.
(yes, I know, a 4:1 ratio should not be better in theory than a 14:1, a 18:1 or even a 21:1 ratio. For me, it is in practice. No real difficulty to be precise, just faster)

[PiousDevil]

The 510s on my yairis are the bee's knees, but I'm not sire which soecific models they are (one slotted, one unslotted)

[jim1960]

Why do you think you'd need the HAP option?

[drive-south]

I have locking tuners on several of my electrics but dont want them on my acoustics. I just think they are too bulky for most acoustics and unnessesary as I'm not bending strings or using a vibrato.

I removed a set of Sperzel lockers from a vintage Telecaster recently and replaced them with a set of Kluson Revolution tuners. The Sperzels were very functional but detracted from the vintage vibe of my old Telecaster. The new tuners have split safe-t shafts and are just as easy to restring as lockers.

[Greg Ballantyne]

Locking tuners? I've been playing guitars for over 40 years, and cannot think of why anyone would feel the need to design & make such a thing. Maybe because I've never played electrics.....

[jpbat]

Originally Posted by Greg Ballantyne

Locking tuners? I've been playing guitars for over 40 years, and cannot think of why anyone would feel the need to design & make such a thing. Maybe because I've never played electrics.....

If you make liberal use of the vibrato bar on electric, they are useful.
If you have guitars with removable neck and you want the strings to stay in place when the neck is removed, they are useful.
If you want to change string faster, they are useful.
Apart of that, regular non locking tuners work just fine.

[NoodleFingers]

Originally Posted by ChalkLitIScream

I actually have the option to get the locking tuners added for an extra $5, and I was thinking about it too.
The HAP tuners are $20 more than the standard ones and the HAPM is about $25 more than standard.

How do you feel about the life of the tuners now? As in how long have you had them and do they still function great?
Thanks

I've had them about a year. They are exactly the same as the first day I got them. I absolutely love them.

As for why someone would get locking tuners on an acoustic, that's easy. I hate changing strings with non-locking tuners. It takes way too long to get them to wind properly. It's awkward, and I'm constantly poking my fingers with the trimmed end.

With locking tuners, string changes are an absolute breeze, I actually change my strings as often as I should now.

[ChalkLitIScream]

Originally Posted by jim1960

Why do you think you'd need the HAP option?

Just to be able to adjust the string break angle at the headstock. Same principle as with the break angle at the saddle.
Its probably very minor, but I guess Im trapped with tweaking every single thing to get the best out of my instrument

[HodgdonExtreme]

Originally Posted by Greg Ballantyne

Locking tuners? I've been playing guitars for over 40 years, and cannot think of why anyone would feel the need to design & make such a thing. Maybe because I've never played electrics.....

The term "locking" is misleading. Makes you think the tuner is somehow able to lock up and prevent turning. Not the case...

The "locking" function is a means to mechanically connect the string to the tuning post, rather than rely on friction alone between string and post.

Guitarists love to argue whether they create better tune stability or not, I say they don't. What they do offer is really easy and fast string changes. You run the string through the hole, turn a thumbscrew, clip the excess string off, and turn the tuning key. Within 1 or maybe two rotations of the key, you're tuned up. It's really convenient.

[TBman]

Originally Posted by HodgdonExtreme

The term "locking" is misleading. Makes you think the tuner is somehow able to lock up and prevent turning. Not the case...

The "locking" function is a means to mechanically connect the string to the tuning post, rather than rely on friction alone between string and post.

Guitarists love to argue whether they create better tune stability or not, I say they don't. What they do offer is really easy and fast string changes. You run the string through the hole, turn a thumbscrew, clip the excess string off, and turn the tuning key. Within 1 or maybe two rotations of the key, you're tuned up. It's really convenient.

Never knew they made those. Time to google..... Thanks.

[Jerry D]

Originally Posted by Greg Ballantyne

........I've never played electrics.....

Hmmm. A life wasted.

[HodgdonExtreme]

Originally Posted by Jerry D

Hmmm. A life wasted.

I just love guitars. Hard to imagine how someone could enjoy acoustics for 40+ years and never had the chance to enjoy an electric!