Installing SE Locking Tuners | PRS Guitars

[@matthewhumphrey1811]

Got some of these recently for my se245 standard. They are good, should be made standard on all the SEs!

[@alaskaaksala123]

On all guitars!

[@stebolian]

And definitely Les Pauls

[@daviddiehl8523]

I'm glad I watched this video. I read replies about the small screw size being different. On my SE the difference in screw diameter is infact 0.37mm different, with the original screws being the larger. Don't know why PRS would do that but just check first. That's why I read the comments. Cheers!

[@AdultsAreTalking]

The exact video I've been looking for! I have an SE Custom and locking tuners I need to install. Thank you for the tutorial!

[@felipeavlopes]

The use of the ruler is a nice detail. Wish those tuners were available sooner so I wouldn't need to drill new screw holes on my SE to install the Core locking tuners though. Would've been nice if some mention to heavier gauge strings was made as the stock SE tuners post holes barely fit the Low B string (from factory a .068) on the SE Baritones for example and the tuning post holes on the Phase II locking tuners, for example is smaller than those on the stock SE tuners. Another cool, simple video and a nice addition (albiet a tad late) with the SE locking tuners

[@rowbags3017]

Very useful. I've just got a set for my SE DGT (not that it really needs them) and I'm keen to try them. 😎

[@revsharp777]

Please make them available to buy as individual tuners. Some of us play the PRS 7 string.

[@1sad_latvianboi707]

In the same situation. Ended up buying a separate bass side tuner off of eBay

[@zacharybruner765]

They could just put them on the guitats they sell lol. Its 100 bucks like come on now

[@josuegavi]

Just getting ready to install my new tuners. I my SE Cu24 is the same color as the one in this video 😁

[@James-qu6ul]

How did it go? I'm debating on installing myself or paying someone to do it. NEver done it before.

[@bill9989]

Heads up. The tiny replacement screws for the back are too small for the holes. They don't bite. Keep your old screws and use them. Even by sight they are smaller.

[@benanderson7718]

Thank you for mentioning that! I thought it was just me and I was losing my mind or something haha....."replacement screws" that aren't actually replacements.....my favorite. 🙃

[@rodfrost3]

@@benanderson7718i thought i over threaded!😶 thanks!

[@joesatchton212]

Should have mentioned that with the strings off, its a perfect opportunity to clean/condition the fretboard and maybe even polish up the frets if needed....Same with some cleaning around the bridge and pickups/pickup covers. :)

[@prsguitars]

Joe, great point!

[@joesatchton212]

@@prsguitars Cheers! Great vid anyway, super clear instructions and great tip about the straight edge!

[@troykelso]

@@joesatchton212 It's a tuner-installation video, not a restringing video.

[@joesatchton212]

@@troykelso Yeah, obviously. But a simple, 5 second mention that its the perfect time to do some basic cleanup would not have hurt the content and in fact would have been extremely useful information. IMO.

[@PeeDee69]

​​@@troykelso yeah bro...not everyone knows that when the strings are off it's ideal to oil the board and polish the frets!!! Just yesterday I put on some brand new flatwounds and (BOOM) before I knew it I was squirting my music nomad fretboard oil™️ all over my 20 dollar strings. If only I had a friendly reminder to do so while the strings were off, eh? And don't even get me started on the time I tried to do some soldering but forgot to take the pickguard off!

[@peterb7627]

Note: when removing the strings, if you cut them closer to the tuners then the old strings can be used for other purposes, including jewelry.

[@KevinCarrick]

I installed these about a month ago on my SE Custom 24. The screws that came with them did NOT fit. Smaller diameter. Had to use the old screws. Other than that, they work perfectly.

[@wrekkingcru]

Same here

[@lynnmatsui]

That's been my experience as well.

[@zacharybruner765]

@@lynnmatsui tried them on the pauls guitar se and they dont fit

[@MrEvanBacon]

I feel like the upper range SE models should come standard with these... especially the Paul’s Guitar.

[@zacharybruner765]

Yea and they dont fit with Paul's guitar

[@adriansaunders5313]

Just installed a new set of these. 1) It's a good job I kept the screws from the old tuners as the new screws are too narrow! 2) I don't get why it's so important to use a rule to make sure the tuners are 'straight', as surely how they sit will be determined by where the previous screw holes were anyway?

[@screaminguitar24]

Hello. Just want to confirm these fit into the new SE DGT models. Thanks.

[@or1on89]

When are we going to have brass saddles for the bridge? At this point we need to match the tuners! :D

[@ykdmusic]

great video !

[@ivancat1891]

I noticed marking on the back of each tuner (9.A, 9.A, 9.D, 0.4, 0.1 and 0.1). Is there a particular location where each tuner should be installed? All of the videos that I have watched does not mention this.

[@davidmiles533]

Thanks. As easy as I’d hoped.

[@tomdempsey6069]

I thought the point of locking tuners, was to lock and cut. Not to have any wraps around the post shaft??.

[@juliansedor7101]

That is the point. He left too much string slack.

[@blkjakk]

Tom Dempsey You are correct. It should be no more than half a turn around the post when the string is tuned.

[@Mist_R]

He needs it to down tune to Zb

[@blkjakk]

Mist R 😂🤮

[@ThatGuy2042_]

This concentrates all the string force on the corner where the string comes out of the hole in the tuner shaftand can lead to string breakage at that point. Most string makers and guitar manufacturers suggest what is shown here which is some, but not excessive wrap.

[@adriansaunders5313]

Just bought a set of these. On the rear side (i.e. the side that won't show) of them are some markings. The trebles say C2, C2 and E2. The basses say D2, B2 and B2. Hopefully these are just manufacturer's marks and don't determine how they should be installed?

[@Babs42]

You guys only have Chrome? I have a Mark Holcomb PRS SE with the different color anodized/dark chrome or whatever color it's supposed to be. Rubidium?

[@blkjakk]

Daniel Baber You can use Gotoh SG381-MGT 3X3 tuners in Cosmo Black color. The screw holes line up perfectly.

[@britscout6496]

Just buy separate buttons. I got ebony buttons for minr

[@fluffytoaster427]

BritScout Which one’s fit SE tuners? Just so folks don’t go buying ones that don’t.

[@britscout6496]

@@fluffytoaster427 mine don't lol, bought them and hoped for the best and they don't. Probably should've mentioned that in my previous comment. If you find any let me know

[@blkjakk]

fluffytoaster427 According to what I’ve read, Schaller buttons fit the SE electrics’ tuners. I won’t swear to it because I haven’t done it.

[@floodgatestudios1825]

Regarding extra string length for wrap...I have found (using many brands of locking tuners) that i have less string snapping at tuner shaft if and extra 3/4 to full wrap is used. NOT multiple wraps but a single wrap is helpful. And for tuning down to low death metal tunings as well...

[@SpookyApparition]

Agreed. I'm about to install these, and I don't even want a full wrap around the post. I have locking tuners on my other guitars and my goal is always for the string to not wrap around itself at all. IMO multiple wraps kind of defeats the purpose of locking tuners.

[@ivancat1891]

I agree with you. Multiple wraps for locking tuners is a waste. @@SpookyApparition

[@psymon1981]

Not got locking tuners on my prs (just seeing if it's easy to upgrade myself) but on 2 of my other guitars I have locking tuners. For those I will pull the strings through tight then lock them off, usually using the weight of the guitar to pull it. I end up with around 2/3rd of a wind. Literally no tuning or stability issues whatsoever.

[@marcvarner1]

Hey dude, Pro Tip- Rather than using "card Stock," to protect the finish from the Tremolo Bridge, keep a 3x3 post it note pad with your maintenance tools. You can quickly use your thumb, to thumb through the pages to the correct depth and slide the stack under to keep the Trem in almost exactly its loaded position. Saves time when tuning and stretching. And protects your finish. And keeps the knife edge from popping out of place. But, nice tip with the ruler! THANKS!

[@prsguitars]

Fun tip, we'll have to test that out. Thanks for watching and giving us your feedback @marcvarner1

[@marcvarner1]

@@prsguitars Paul taught me everything I know about guitars! ; )

[@jessejohnson8087]

Thanks for a great video.

[@dkmlife565]

Are these the same, superior or inferior to the Mann Made locking turners? What is the price difference?

[@carlosortizjr5508]

Many people talking about not leaving any wraps. But, in my case it helped my tuning stability because these damn locking tuners keep messing with me a lot, specially 3rd string. If i dont do any wrap it keeps getting flatter and flatter no matter how i tighten the locks

[@1066wastrel]

I`m surprised PRS put their (his) name to this, a locking tuner needs no wraps, this`ll work for sure, but, pulling a string tight in a locking tuner then "locking it off" is kinda the whole point!

[@sid35gb]

I suspect that they do this for tone reasons. How many manufacturers put tuning pegs with solid brass shafts on their guitars. It’s hinted at when Paul Reed talks about his rules of tone.

[@GregJamez]

The screws that came with the locking tuners were too small so had to use the original set. You would think they would measure them before selling.

[@rickrolled1918]

I dont think using the rulers to straighten the tuners is necessary, if you just make sure the screw at the back of the headstock is aligned with the hole on the heastock, the tuner should be straightened by default

[@JavierMunoz-jl6ul]

What I don't understand is how a nearly thousand dollar PRS SE guitar has no lock tuners

[@britscout6496]

So you buy them

[@katharinasei.1807]

True. At the same time the cheapest SEs are around 500 … still, at least having to option to get them stock with locking tuners would be nice.

[@0guitargod]

because they do everything they can to give you the best quality instrument as a whole. the non locking tuners are high enough quality to be acceptable. They save the money from the locking tuners to give you better build quality else where. SE guitars are designed to be as affordable as possible but still maintain PRS build quality. I would rather them take the extra time to ensure frets are nice (for example) then have them add locking tuners as factory. Its actually a pretty common practice. yes some companies have them included on some models. But its a lot easier to change the tuners then to have to look at a smudge in the clearcoat or whatever

[@CycloneJack]

$2,500 LP Standards don't come with locking tuners either.

[@ProgTones]

Hey PRS! Any chance I can get gold tuners to match my SE Mikael Akerfeldt please? :)

[@guitarsimon1]

When’re these coming stock on the Custom 22/24? That extra £300 over a Standard is getting increasingly hard to justify.

[@ErikShen2907]

No string winder eh Skitchy?

[@robertturtle]

So replacing tuners does not require a setup as long as you keep the same string gauge. That makes sense to me, but at the beginning of the video he mentions using a ruler since he's doing a setup, so that's a bit confounding.

[@Martinroot]

The point of a locking tuner is to no a little string on the peg as poseble... When you threat the string through the tuner posts, you wonna the string, to where theres no slag, and then you lock the screw. When your tuning up, if you get more than one wrap around the post, you'v done it wrong. Again, the point is to have as little string on your tuners as poseble. A locking tuner is not only for making string change earsier but also to help keeping the guitar better in tune. The less amount of wraps you have around the post, the less likely the guitar is to go out of tune. Hope this makes sence. Feel free to comment. Martin DK

[@AcousticJamDad]

Alright so call me dumb but I wind up having a ton of intonation issues when changing the strings on my PRS SE with the tremolo bridge! I know how to adjust the intonation using the open string compared to the 12th fret sound but I don’t know, it always seems a touch off when I do it compared to when I bring it in to a luthier to do it. What could I be doing wrong???

[@SourSnatch]

GOLD!!!

[@scotmotzny6344]

shouldn't the position on the set screws on the back align them 90 degrees automatically or is there some play there as well?

[@joshoptical]

Been wondering about this for my SE Paul’s guitar

[@prsguitars]

The SE Locking Tuners are not a direct drop and swap replacement for the stock tuners on a SE Paul's Guitar. The SE Paul's Guitar comes with vintage style tuners.

[@chadn.1619]

@@prsguitars Any recommendations on vintage style locking tuners to upgrade the SE Paul's Guitar with?

[@MySynergyPulse]

I have a Paul's Guitar SE as well! Really hoping y'all make some for us too!!!!

[@thezeek2745]

@@chadn.1619 Gotoh SD90. Direct drop in replacement

[@baddonkeyproductions]

When he says "if you have changed gauges, then do a full set up", what does that mean, like internation and truss rode or the just do the exact same thing in the video. Cause I changed gauges and had everything adjusted to fit them so I'm a little confused

[@davidcane7211]

I guess there could be a number of things. (1) thicker strings may sit higher in the nut, (2) the magnets in the pickups may have a different force on a heavier gauge string so potentially the intonation or saddle height may need a minor change, also for any fret buzz. Having said that, my guitar tech told me when I was dithering about which strings I wanted him to use when he did a full set up on one of my guitars, that if he does the setup on the lighter gauge (9-42 in my case) then it's gonna be fine with 10s. Whereas if he did the setup for 10s or heaver, switching the 9s could introduce fret buzz. Not a precise or probably even correct set of answers, but the point is that there are a number of small things that could change with different strings and if you like your guitar set up perfectly then you'll probably want it setup for the strings you're using. However I suspect that's about 5% of guitar players at most. The rest of us wouldn't notice :D

[@GregJamez]

Did anyone else find that even though you used a rule to try and make the tuners line straight without the gap, the screws pulled the tuners as you tightened and the gap appeared anyway?

[@bill9989]

What does the ruler actually do? The screw hole is specifically located. Won't that be the guide for the tuner?

[@CycloneJack]

@@bill9989 You would think, right? I'm going to put these on a friend's guitar this weekend. If I can remember, I'll come back here and let you know whether that straight edge was necessary.

[@bill9989]

@John No, I'm good. I did it last month. The ruler isn't necessary, and I didn't use one. However, keep your old screws. When I used the new screws, they were too small. They didn't bite and fell out when turned upside down. So I re-used the old screws. And it's not just me; many people have reported this. Good luck.

[@mikaelsundberg2646]

I consider to change tuners to these on my custom 22 SE (2018). Except the locking feature, will these also add higher quality (more solid, smoother turning etc.) compared to stock tuners?

[@thesnakeslair5908]

The PRS Phase III Ebony Tuner Buttons its compatible whit " PRS SE Locking Tuners"?????

[@markgowans]

I'm guessing these tuners will not fit the SE Silver Sky so are there locking tuners for that guitar?

[@rheybusque9752]

Can this fit on a Zack Myers Prs guitars? Thank you

[@guspenamusic]

I have an SE Custom 247. Any chance that these will be available for your 7 string models? Or at the very least sell them individually?

[@Harrysound]

I just bought a Holcomb brand new. why am I looking at this. Locking tuners should be default for everything but the standard budget line up. I got some cheaper but perfectly fine tuners but they dont fit.

[@joshualkessler]

Would these also work for PRS SE acoustic guitars?

[@superrantam]

Can these be used on a 245 SE? It would be great if the compatible guitar models were available on the specifications of these tuners on the website... ;)

[@britscout6496]

They're compatible for all SE models

[@grimreaper-qh2zn]

They don't replace ALL SE Tuner's. The Paul guitar has vintage style Tuners. so two holes for screws on the vintage ones are left and a new screw hole has to be drilled for these locking Tuners.

[@serranodavid3247]

The Phase ll/lll locking tuners will drop right in, the screws in back of neck are the same, the SE tuners are angled .

[@nonamaphionex4659]

hello bro where i can buy for my se lock michine head like this tq 🙏🏻😊👍

[@defaultHandle1110]

What else y’all got for a SE Silver Sky ?

[@mjwontstop]

Can these fit the mcarthy 594 se single cut?

[@josephsantana3094]

Need them available in black

[@popazuda71]

What’s an option for the SE Paul’s Guitar?

[@BoDegaS1]

PRS Guitars I'm wondering if the tuners have bass and treble side? I'm asking cause I have a left handed PRS Se and want to know if they can fit on my guitar?

[@britscout6496]

They'll fit.

[@K3vinK]

Why do you need to wrap strings around post at all? Not having to wrap them is the reason they exist, and helps stay in tune. I’m dumber having seen this. 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@blkjakk]

Zimphire You’re not dumber, you’re right.

[@K3vinK]

Im saying watching someone at PRS using locking tuners improperly is making me dumber.

[@Ratchman_5000]

These will fit the SE Starla, right?

[@saunaire]

How do u know which locking tuners goes to which string?

[@SammyMakepeace]

Anyone know if cheaper locking tuners fit the headstock?

[@virtuoso666]

Will this fit Silver Sky SE?

[@reymagulili3143]

Are they fit with SE EG Series???

[@austinsmith6472]

will they work on the se245s?

[@thelastofbrad4023]

All the other videos say you don't need to measure slack and all that. Hence why people say locking tuners are easier

[@johnholmes1423]

Instead of locking tuners, turn your attention to locking your proprietary wraparound bridges down, as they are known to lean forward. Shouldn't need to tell you this Mr PRS!

[@AlanW]

Wait, you have to remove the strings to install these? Literally Unusable. No Sale!

[@AlanW]

@@phunkyjunkee whoosh

[@floodgatestudios1825]

Lol

[@KittyKatMan93]

Just get hipshots and save 40 bucks

[@YogsenForfoth]

And hipshots are actually good, unlike these pieces of junk.

[@MisterTee]

Why are you telling people to use locking tuners incorrectly in this video?

[@scottjm211]

I thought the same thing but the guy that works on my guitars said to leave a little bit of slack before locking them. He said that you should have extra slack for when you are intonating. I always have just pulled them tight, locked and tuned.

[@YogsenForfoth]

Worst locking tuner system I’ve ever played on.

[@deano9919]

As usual skitchey you glossed over which tuners go where and why are they labeled differently as there is zero documentation that comes with these: why are they labeled ACFE? Come on I see these videos all the time and you spent more time bsing and less time actually going through the process..