Locking Tuners - Changing the Strings on a Fender Ultra Stratocaster HSS

I will demo how to use locking tuners as I need to change the strings on my Fender Ultra Stratocaster HSS. See my technique, and pick up a few tricks when dealing with locking tuners. I had never had the chance to use locking tuners until I bought the Fender Stratocaster, and it makes a world of difference. It is so much easier to change strings!
merrillstreetstudio.com

[@buschovski1]

Hi man. Thank you. I was just trying to wrap my big E around the pole. just got a new ultra and have never had locking tuners before. thanks again

[@MerrillStreetStudio]

Glad I could help!

[@frederikduyck5928]

Thank you! Just perfect!

[@MerrillStreetStudio]

Awesome, glad it helped you out.

[@larrybegnaud7811]

Thank you. Nice video to confirm how locking tuners work.

[@MerrillStreetStudio]

Thanks for the feedback! They are really helpful and keep the neck clean!

[@kurtkrems]

Thank you! Just bought my ultra and was curious about this. Thanks again for posting.

[@MerrillStreetStudio]

Awesome.. did you get a Strat as well? I am playing mine at the moment and still loving it. What color did you get?

[@kurtkrems]

Went with the Strat, Plasma Red burst. I'm amazed at the ease of play. Incredibly smooth. How do you like the Fender strings? I had it set up with the D'Addario NYXL's.@@MerrillStreetStudio

[@MerrillStreetStudio]

Nice..I actually broke my Fender string the first time I tried to put them on.. I need to get another set. I am using Ernie Ball Nines.

[@allenwhite1978]

Locking tuning keys. Picture the headcap of the neck as the face of a clock, with the top being 12:00 and the nut being 6:00. Line the six tuning machines so that the first string keyhole is set at 1:00, the second at 2:00, the third and fourth at 3:00, the fifth at 4:00, and the sixth at 5:00. Pull the strings through tautly and tighten the thumb wheel, locking the string in. Now tune to pitch.

[@MerrillStreetStudio]

Well said Allen White!!

[@thedaily1701]

Thanks for the video! Just bought a telecaster player in blueburst 2 weeks ago and my locking tuners came in today!! Beautiful guitar bro😎

[@MerrillStreetStudio]

That's awesome, you're going to love them. It makes changing your string a breeze. I need to add a Tele to my collection someday soon.

[@eljison]

Thank you. Just got my new Ultra Strat Texas Tea with the locking tuners and didn't know how they worked and loosened the locknut before loosening the string tension and the string popped out (I thought it broke, but it just popped out). Still, I don't think I was going to be able to restring it through after it had been cut so close to the post). So now that I have to restring the guitar this video was very helpful. Love that red plasma burst, too! Would have been nice to hear you play it with the new strings.

[@MerrillStreetStudio]

Thanks! Funny, I almost went with the Texas Tea. My buddy got the Texas Tea Telecaster, it's freaking beautiful.

[@muminsimab]

Is it okay to clean this fretboard with the music nomad f one oil?

[@JoeSzilagy]

(1:51) 'String Tree'

[@MerrillStreetStudio]

Nailed it. thanks!

[@gabrielmedina394]

One question if I tune in Standard and after that I want to put on D all the strings is possible without problems? Cause I did and after to back to standard the first one E broken

[@gabrielmedina394]

Do I have to move the locking tuners when I want to change my tune standard to D

[@MerrillStreetStudio]

No, you shouldn't have to. I change the tunings on my strings fairly often without incident.

[@gothops154]

I’ve never seen someone restringing a strat without removing the backplate but I guess that’s literally what that hole is for. The move you know

[@MerrillStreetStudio]

Yeah, it works, and the Locking Tuners are a great asset and time saver.

[@bradford_shaun_murray]

That American Ultra is a beautiful guitar. 1:50 string tree

[@MerrillStreetStudio]

Yes it is, thanks..

[@j_akumpo9537]

5 of my locking tuners are stuck and won’t turn. What do I do?

[@MerrillStreetStudio]

Seriously? If they are on a new guitar, I would cover them with some kind of soft cloth and use a wrench or something? Or, return the guitar.. :) If you ordered them, send them back.

[@j_akumpo9537]

@@MerrillStreetStudio I figured it out. The were just way over tightened and I loosened them with a pair of pliers

[@creepymcpeepers]

Locking tuners rule

[@MerrillStreetStudio]

Yes they do.. I wish I had them on all my guitars, they make a huge difference!

[@creepymcpeepers]

@@MerrillStreetStudio I finally have them on all except my bass but I’m gonna get them jd the drop d hipshot tuner for the p bass as well sometime in the near future

[@dougfa3515]

Try 1.25 speed. It makes the dialogue go at a normal pace.

[@MerrillStreetStudio]

LOL!!! Maybe I should pick up the pace. thanks!!!

[@dougfa3515]

@@MerrillStreetStudio Haha, the pace seemed a little slow, but it was a good video ... Just figured I'd remind people that the option to speed it up was available. I didn't really know how the locking tuners worked, as I had just bought my first Fender with them. This definitely helped. Thanks for the video, and glad you had a sense of humor about my comment.

[@MerrillStreetStudio]

All good my friend.. I appreciate you watching it and commenting.. A sense of humor is key in life... :) Hope you're enjoying your new Fender.. I am loving mine and play it all time, the action on the neck is fantastic!

[@dougfa3515]

@@MerrillStreetStudio I am! I picked up the American Ultra Telecaster. I'd definitely say it's the nicest guitar I own. You're right about the neck... it's pretty much perfect. I want one of the stratocasters in the Ultra series too... but not until I finish paying this one off. Have a good weekend!

[@JunkBondTrader]

No one ever mentions how, if you want to keep your tremolo floating, you need to put in a shim while changing the strings. Oh well, I guess people will find out the hard waY

[@FenderStratWannaBe]

I agree. I change mine one at a time. I have no idea if it makes a difference.

[@matthewbrenton]

Just to let you know that it's a "string tree" that holds down the top two strings on the headstock.

[@MerrillStreetStudio]

Thanks @mathewbrenton.. Funny, I just changed my strings the other day and was trying to remember the name of it.. :)

[@deslauriermc]

can’t see what he’s doing … camera isn’t close

[@MerrillStreetStudio]

D'oh.. my bad bro.. :)