Locking Tuners for my Duo Jet

JoeyBones

My jet seems to be suffering from bigsby induced bad tuning syndrome. I'm gonna fit locking tuners as this seems to be the route to go according to a couple of threads I've read. I've seen a few brands of locking tuners (Grover, Sperzel, Gotoh,etc), but I haven't had any experience with them aside from the Fender locking tuners I installed on the strat I put together. Can anyone give me some advice on these?

AlanRatcliffe

What type of bridge is it Joey? If it's a Bigsby rocker bridge (the whole bridge rocks back and forth as the strings move over it), they are often the culprit. Many change them for models with roller saddles.

Otherwise if it is the tuners, I prefer the Gotohs or the Schallers.

JoeyBones

Yip its me. It's got the Ebony-Based Space ControlTM Roller-Bridge (I got that off the site ? )

Here's a pic

I've asked on another forum and apparently this is a common problem. One guy warned against Grovers (Something about the tuners slipping), which I thought would be the goto tuners and suggested I use Gotoh's instead. I don't want to modify my guitar to fit them so 'm trying to fing OEM replacement parts that are good quality.

FatBoy

Oooh now that be a nice guitar! Can't comment on Bigsby issue as I have never used, or even seen one for that matter, but that axe is giving me some serious GAS!!

JoeyBones

Thanks man. I love it. Went through 3 strats and a Hagstrom swede before I bought this baby. I was worried that it wouldn't live up to the hype, but it does and so much more. Feels really comfortable and the scale length is perfect for my hands. Aside from the tuning issue, It's the perfect axe for me.

AlanRatcliffe

Yup the Gotoh's are the goodies - they are a top lock so they don't have the big heavy thumbwheels on the back. The new 510s are very sexy with nice smooth lines and an 18:1 ratio:

The pic is of the 6-in-line, but they do also make them in a 3-a-side.

Only thing that might differ from the stock is the position of the screw. If yours are straight out at the bottom of the tuner, you might want to try a set of the Planet Waves:

Also 18:1 ratio and cut the end off the string automatically.

JoeyBones

Any ideas on pricing ?

AlanRatcliffe

$60 - $90, depending on brand, model, colour.

JoeyBones

I'll check my usual online spots for them.

Thanks Allan !

Attila

Hi JB Very nice guitar, I had the same problems with my Aria which has a simular roller/rocker bridge, the thing was going out of tune by the minute. when the new strings settled down it cured it self. I dont thing its a tuner problem rather the roller bridge does not return to a set position. Maybe lube the shaft area to create less friction so that it does not settle in a high or low position, and hopefully the strings will return it to a set point

JoeyBones

I decided to have my guitar checked by a professional before I start spending money on what might just be symptoms of an underlying problem. Should have an answer this afternoon. I hope it's something stupid like user error ?