Installing Hipshot locking tuners on a PRS SE Mark Tremonti Custom

[@patchfile]

Thank you. I installed Hipshots the other day and have been trying to find someone who would talk about how much shorter the posts are. Making sure it was not a mistake I made.

[@JamesBurwellActual]

Yeah it hasn't caused any issues with me, and may be better for stabiity.

[@theophany1770]

I'm putting these on my Zakk Epiphone and PRS Paul Allender. Thanks for the video bud!

[@chrisdidonna7371]

Just bough a set of 3 and 3 tried out prefer original grovers on my guitar. I have no issue with tuning.. Use EB rps 10s or daddario xts.

[@goemonronin]

I have seen people put those plates in the opposite way you are and they seem to lock together better

[@jessielees]

if/when you take them off did the plates leave marks/indents/scuffing on the back of the headstock?

[@JamesBurwellActual]

Prob won't take them off, but I sort of doubt it. The metal is fairly smooth, and has rounded edges. (yeah I now, one year later)

[@ScottKroekerArtographer]

"I can't talk today" That made me LOL. :)

[@JamesBurwellActual]

Yeah, I've only really done two or three of these sorts of vids, and completely off the cuff, no script.

[@mrslate1]

I've found that it is better to give the string enough slack so your winding around the post isn't right at the edge of the hole, otherwise it acts as a sharp point at a steep angle for the string. In other words, leat the string have at least 1/2 turn around the post

[@tomosbourne3218]

A busted knuckle for sure. Kidding. Nice job.!

[@jp2503]

Is it worth using these hipshot over the regular PRS OEM locking tuners? Does that metal bar have a significant difference?

[@JamesBurwellActual]

All it does is make it easier so that you don't have to worry about matching up mounting screw holes on the tuners. That's it. If your confident that the tuners you buy will match up with the stock screw-holes, you should be set.

[@jp2503]

@@JamesBurwellActual oh thank you! Im ordering some parts from graphtech like a TUSQ nut, so I see they have "Ratio" locking tuners are those as good as hip shots or better even?

[@nlucca3757]

Did you order the 10mm or the 8.5mm? I'm also looking at these.

[@JamesBurwellActual]

Hrm. I don't think they had those two options when I ordered mine. I looked up my order and there's no part number, just this description: Guitar Tuner Upgrade Kits (3+3 Headstocks) Grip-Lock™ Open / Chrome / 3+3 One thing I noticed is that the "Open" machines are only available in 10mm for the 3+3 set, so I presume they're 10mm?

[@2616mikey]

u got the tuners that have 2 mounting holes. WHY?

[@JamesBurwellActual]

Because it was a kit which uses plates and doesn't need mounting screws, which is the entire point. Otherwise, you need to find tuners which will fit your specific headstock and mounting screw locations. This kit makes it simple. Did you even watch the video?

[@adeptheatingair]

should have gotten the PRS locking tuners.

[@ryanrowland5909]

This video gave me anxiety. But it did help.

[@JamesBurwellActual]

I was fairly anxious doing it, since I've never done it before. But it was very easy.

[@leeasbury7273]

People are ignorant. You put the time and effort into recording this and It's fine. People don't have to watch if they don't want to. I'm sure u helped some first timers gain confidence at the very least. I've taken apart and reassembled just about evey part from every era and every make/model PRS. I used to use M6 mini locking tuners mostly when I couldn't put up with the old wing tuners anymore...there's only so much you can do to service them, and the ratio is annoying anyway. I think those M6 locking tuners might have been direct replacements for the Korean SE's. Which by the way, it looks like u have a nice WMI made Korean model from around 2013. I heard good things about the new GraphTech ratio tuners, so I might try a set on one of the new SE's I just got. I bought an Indonesian made Mira against my better judgment (and stubbornness, due to the factory move among other things) and I was so impressed with it, I bought a second one to mod. I also tried, and bought, the new SE Hollowbody II 😲 even though it was made in China, and the price new is so ridiculous I still can't make sense of PRS' price points and models these days....BUT, I got it for half price because it was returned (but not a scratch on it...still had the tags, foam headstock support inside the hardshell case, and was tuned perfectly to E flat!). The Mira's were setup perfectly, and arrived in tune. The tuners are actually good. I hate regular tuners just cause locking ones are so much more convenient. But the stock PRS SE tuners feel smooth and keep great tune so far. Oh, and the neck angle is called the break angle, at the nut. PRS are one of the best at Implementing that. They pretty much have a straight pull through the nut and into the tuner, plus they use a more shallow break angle than most. It really helps eliminate a lot of tuning problems. The string doesn't bind in the nut slots. Ernie Ball also has an excellent design with 4 on one side and 2 on the other.

[@JamesBurwellActual]

Thanks. Yeah I don't really take the trolls seriously. There are always people out there that have some need to troll. I feel more sad for them than anything else. I actually know the term "break angle", but of course during the video I probably couldn't recall the words and/or used an the incorrect term. :-) I've been impressed by the QC of PRS, regardless of place of manufacture. It doesn't surprise me much as I've met Paul and he definitely cares about his products and his name and reputation. But the truth is that nearly all low to medium priced guitars are made in factories in the Far East. The same factories like World Music in Korea make guitars for nearly every major brand, as well as many of the smaller brands like Chapman and Solar. They have great quality. And I believe PRS goes a step further and ships all guitars to the factory in Maryland for a final inspection and set-up before it goes to customers.

[@leeasbury7273]

@@JamesBurwellActual the guitar's are definitely ready to go out of the box. Every one I've ever seen. When the first Mira came, I put it on my bench and got ready to do a complete work over, just cause I assumed the new factories wouldn't know how to set them up or something. I was wrong. Nothing needed done. I did have to quiet a little bit of rattle from. One of the saddles, but that's kinda not picking. There are better and NORE EXPENSIVE bridges out there, but this one is just fine now. I'm about to put an old set of HFS/VB pickups in one of the Mira's that I have from my 90's Custom 24. The stock 85/15s pickups are around 8, and sound very nice...the HFS is ceramic and reads like 14 or something I think. The VB neck I believe is something similar to an SD Jazz. I might even route out a 3rd pickup and get a custom pickgaurd just cause it won't really cost me anything, and it'll be fun. Plus, It'll rip, and none else will have one.😎

[@2616mikey]

why did u put those plates on? u didn't take any off. da!!!!!

[@JamesBurwellActual]

The plates are what make the kit universal. It's how they work. With the plates, there is no requirement to drill holes for new screws, or line up the tuners with the old screw holes, which requires tuners which match up to your headstock perfectly.

[@JamesBurwellActual]

@@gilroylibbs2947 I do wish I had gotten a set with black backing plates though. I suppose I could paint them.

[@2616mikey]

I LIKE THAT. LOL

[@fendertremolo9793]

Ignore the trolls and dipsh*ts. I enjoyed the video. I have an early PRS SE Tremonti with dot inlays, instead of birds.

[@yuvalhuck5437]

If you would upload regularly, I would definitely subscribe.

[@JamesBurwellActual]

My stuff is too random for that. I'm not aiming to be a VLOG or anything. I only post stuff when I have stuff to post. Having said that, I have TONS of recorded concert vids I haven't gotten to. It's just so much work and I find it hard to find time or motivation to work on those, because it's a lot of work.

[@beabay]

So how.did the tuners work? Well?.stayed in tune?

[@JamesBurwellActual]

@@beabay yes. very well. I pick up that guitar and find it almost always in tune, or very close to in tune, even when I haven't picked it up in a while. I mostly use my Variax JTV-86F these days because it's just convenient as hell to be able to twist a knob and choose a tuning on a guitar with a Floyde. :-)

[@Doubtful-optimism]

Dang dude some of these comments are ridiculous. Get a life kids. Just installed the same tuners on my SE Custom 24. Really dig them but I'm not crazy about having the old screw holes showing. Did you do anything with yours?

[@TheJeffcurran]

I don't want to seem like a troll, but if you can do this, anybody can. You may have inadvertently made a great video.

[@JamesBurwellActual]

OK?

[@3vergiven]

@@JamesBurwellActual I consider that a compliment! You demonstrated how relatively straight-forward and easy it is to replace guitar tuners.

[@JamesBurwellActual]

@@3vergiven especially with this kit (yeah I know, late response). It is really a no-brainer kind of setup. No worries about screw positions, etc. It's an idiot proof kit. :-)

[@williamking7420]

Wow, informative video but those tuners look very "unflattering". You can buy inexpensive locking tuners that fit perfectly with the existing screw holes. Those metal shims look pretty nasty. IMHO.

[@2616mikey]

if u can afford new tuners. buy some new strings.

[@JamesBurwellActual]

I have several sets of new NYXLs ready to go. Those strings are relatively new.

[@chrisdidonna7371]

I did same thing when i put the hipshots on not gonna open a new 15 dollar pack of nyxl

[@fendertremolo9793]

What's it matter to you? Mind your business

[@ajg8600]

I would put some sort of mat down... especially if youre working on a $700 PRS lmao.

[@JamesBurwellActual]

You didn't see the roll of paper towels supporting the neck? The body was actually laying on top of micro-fiber upholstery, but you couldn't see it. If you work hard, you too may some day be able to afford a $700 Korean-made guitar. :p

[@fendertremolo9793]

It's his guitar, not yours!

[@leeasbury7273]

I bought a nice 4'x2' type of floor mat/rug and its the exact size as my workbench countertop (got the workbench from harbor freight 10+ years ago for maybe $150? Has built in overhead florescent light, back peg board, 2 drawers, and bottom shelf. 👍 Get a padded neck cradle/support from Dunlop or something and you're good.

[@afterstars]

James Burwell LOL Make Korea Great Again

[@tomosbourne3218]

Get a Chevy chevette and snap on tools

[@leeasbury7273]

Get a Renault Encore and drive around with a Mr. Microphone...

[@2616mikey]

I hope u play better than u did that.

[@JamesBurwellActual]

did you actually "like" your own replies? LOL

[@fendertremolo9793]

You mad cause you can't afford a PRS?

[@greatsoutherntrendkill79]

Who gives a shit about the back of the headstock

[@mlwald79]

horrible design. jesus

[@JamesBurwellActual]

Be sure to lodge your complaint with Hipshot. :-p