Locking Tuners: How to Use Correctly

Over the years, I've noticed that it's not uncommon for people to incorrectly use their locking tuners, consequently defeating the tuners' benefit. This video is aimed at new guitarists and guitarists that are unfamiliar with the correct way to install strings on guitars with locking tuners. The video also discusses why locking tuners are beneficial.

[@alexanderbprice]

Actual demonstration begins at about 4:20

[@andrewmcdonough6710]

Thank you!

[@lofcwomen-com]

Got tired of waiting

[@rmalderson]

Thanks. I should have thought of included this as a note.

[@MrsGMusic]

Not all heroes wear capes!

[@RTRoberto]

oh ok. Kind of makes sense. He was hitting the joint till then.

[@nickg1307]

Just bought a set of Hipshots and install was a no brainer but when I came to stringing I realized I don't know what to do I assumed they don't work like normal tuner so here I am. Thank you 🤘

[@rmalderson]

Glad I could help!

[@theophany1770]

Same here, and no instructions with Hipshot on stringing them up. I was feeling a little dumb 😂

[@rmalderson]

@@theophany1770 Awesome... glad I could be helpful!

[@Emhartain]

they work like normal tuners.. string them like you would a non-locker. the lock just holds the string still while you set your wrap. Watch this.. it's the proper way to do it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/sIe0gmuDnalmpas

[@dekelsey1]

Thank you very much! I just got my first guitar with locking tuners (Fender Stratocaster Ultra LUXE) and it being a demo unit, I noticed the strings were degraded and did not know what the whole deal was with the knob underneath. This will spoil me! Thank you very much, and I will do exactly what you do! Merry CHRISTmas! Funny, noticed that my new gitfiddle is exactly 1 year old. That's cool. Great video!

[@DimKAt21]

Great guitar, enjoy

[@jessehutchings]

Thanks for the demo. My Prophecy has these and I literally screwed up tuning my guitar not once but TWICE because I thought I had to unlock the tuning pegs to tune the strings. I even took it to a shop to be re-strung thinking it wasn't set up right ... The best part is that I also took in my Schecter Damien FR to be re-strung as well and I'm pretty sure the young tech actually broke my FR bridge by cutting all the strings off at once

[@rmalderson]

Dang, I'm sorry to hear about your troubles! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@benroth1588]

I just bought a guitar with locking tuners (hasn’t come yet) and was 100% going to unlock the tuners when I tuned it.

[@paulhebard6420]

I just got my new Fender Nashville telecaster Player Plus w/locking tuners. Changed out the fender factory strings this morning and I LOVE the locking tuners. I watched your video to ensure I knew how to use them and I will never go back. So easy and quick.

[@Markycarandbikestuff]

Same here, i "unlocked" the tuners on my new Larry Cartlon Telecaster to tune it and the strings popped out, i thought they were snapping but the tuners were just letting the strings go, literally always thought the tuner locked so it couldn't be turned at all.

[@aliemremese]

Now there is another victim among you

[@MRROBBIEWATTS]

Matt...I've noticed that you take the time to read the comments, and answer most of them...this makes you 'Cool' man! - :)

[@rmalderson]

Not many people call me cool, so I'll take it.

[@jareljones5194]

Thanks for a great video I plan to put locking tuners on my guitar to keep good tuning stability also I found a way to install a locking nut without removing the old nut

[@jareljones5194]

@Jew Adolf check out guns and guitars

[@WeWereYoungandCrazy]

A Nut Buster perhaps?

[@jimcastillo8950]

Hello, what brand of locking turners did you use? thanks

[@bryanfarless9579]

Thank you, Matt.

[@creepymcpeepers]

Yo … I have locking tuners. When I change my String I realize my strings are a lot tighter then when I get a setup… do you leave any slack on the locking tuners

[@ProjectCreativityGuy96]

1:13 - My man playing some heavy sick breakdowns unplugged!!!

[@taz2008]

help my high e and b string slips 😢 and i bought the wrong tuning pegs, so i rerouted it to be able to use 6r on 3r3l headstock

[@richardwitherow5289]

Thanks Matt!

[@lynskyrd78]

1:52 Important info about the Nut at the beginning of the video, I did not know, going to look up a nice Graphite Nut to go along with my locking tuners.

[@cydoniaastronaut9277]

so, what if iIwanna drop tune it? like, I play a lot of songs in Drop D, and even on C#, should I leave some string behing the tuner? or should I wrap just a little bit? (like 90 degrees)

[@rmalderson]

That's a really good question that I hadn't considered. I don't play in drop-d tuning very often, but the rare times I have it wasn't a problem using the approach I discuss in the video. I'm not sure about C#, but yeah, just leave a bit more slack in the string when you lock it down. Good luck!

[@cydoniaastronaut9277]

@@rmalderson thank you!

[@PainterDans]

Another reason to do a half wrap

[@jdh3777]

Thanks so much!

[@OrfinMusik]

Let me clarify.. I’ve always lined up the eyehole a as you described and pulled through til the string is straight, locked it, and tuned up; tried it his way, and I was getting additional wraps around some of them seems counterintuitive

[@user-zn4qy7tw9t]

Did u bend the string when u put it in the eye?

[@rockngpa5094]

You have too much slack on your strings , cut them 2 pegs past your post your stringing up and if string starts to wrap then try 1 3/4 , etc etc pegs past your stringing post ...

[@jessehutchings]

@@rockngpa5094 What the f is a post

[@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, Do I have to move the locking tuners?

[@rmalderson]

Hi Gabriel, I'm not sure that I totally understand what you are asking. It sounds like you tuned to standard pitch, then tuned to another tuning (open D or drop D?), and then you went back to standard pitch and your E string broke. Is that correct? If so, where did the string break? If it broke at the bridge end, that has nothing to do with the tuners. If it broke at the nut, your nut slots may be too tight. If it broke at the tuner peg, it may be that you wore out the string. I've found that this sometimes happens to me after I de-tune and re-tune a number of times in a row (e.g., when I am doing a setup on a new guitar). I'm not sure whether it has anything to do with locking tuners, but I can imagine how it is possible. If the string is locked in, there would be very little room for it to "unwind", so if tuning it to a different pitch changes the angle of the string relative to the post, it would theoretically create a weak spot. For instance, if you have ever bent a paper clip back and forth, you'll notice that eventually it becomes hot and will break. I imagine the same thing can happen to strings if you are making drastic changes to the tuning in a short period of time. I typically try to tune or de-tune relatively slowly if I am doing it a lot, and it seems to help...

[@gabrielmedina394]

@@rmalderson yes you are so right so the locking tuners don't have to be so tight? I put like don't move nothing, so it was my fault

[@rmalderson]

@@gabrielmedina394 you can certainly over-tighten the thumb screw that locks in the string, but my experience of breaking strings has been more about tuning and de-tuning too fast and/or to extremes that put a a kink in the string. For example, when I de-tune and totally loosen the string so the bridge can be adjusted without tension on it, there tends to be a hard bend in the string up near the tuning peg. If your tighten and loosen a bunch, the string worked really hard at that bend, which will eventually break the string.

[@gabrielmedina394]

@@rmalderson Thanks Bro a lot You helped me a lot

[@SanDiegoNico]

Will locking tuners eliminate the need for the locking nut on a Floyd rose?

[@lord_beethoven1169]

I’ve always had this instance with the 3 bass strings; where after I tune them up. There be a kink where it wraps around the tuning peg and the bronze coils strip up. Exposing the steel string underneath. It’s hard to explain without a picture.

[@andre.slmartins]

I know exactly what you mean. The tension of the "lock" in the tuner weakens the spot where the string "bends" and it will cause it to break over time.

[@rmalderson]

I don't mean to be captain obvious, but you might try going a bit lighter on the locking screw.

[@rmalderson]

@@andre.slmartins I think you guys are cranking down too hard on the tightening screw.

[@andre.slmartins]

@@rmalderson You are very right :) I was, it was my first string set using the locking tuners so I got them way too tight as I thought if I didnt the strings could get lose. Live and learn :P. Ive put in a new set and they held up just fine.

[@rmalderson]

@@andre.slmartins Awesome, I'm glad to hear that it's working well now.

[@GregorKropotkin-qu2hp]

Bonsoir Elliot!

[@chetwilson]

Nice guitar man

[@justincristino122]

Ill do also on G B And high E string?

[@rmalderson]

I string them all the same.

[@yetigoosecreature8682]

I find that the manual screw locking tuners (like those) are best. I don't like the automatic ones (as made by Gotoh / Grover), as some wrap the string around the post before locking - which defeats the purpose.

[@rmalderson]

Agreed. I tried the Gotoh tuners on a PRS SE a long time ago and was not impressed.

[@user-rx6ym8ds5q]

What about string angle with out wrapping!?! You are higher up

[@buddhistpriest1357]

The oversized press fit bushing always look massive. They sort of remind me of this chick who had areola grandes. ⚽️⚽️

[@simonlinser8286]

So the locking just clamps into the string in the hole and doesn't lock the actual gear? Makes sense. My uncle tuned my guitar slightly and the knob was like so solid, he must have the masters touch because it was like locked in but he didn't do anything to it. I think it's about knowing the exact spot to stop adding tension, it's not possible for the string to pull on the gear and turn the knob shaft... it's just not enough torque for such a skinny shaft, and there's other points holding the string...idk... how it works idk but i think about it a lot

[@blazer6248]

What happens is the winds around the peg get looser and tighter as you do bends and use your trem bar. So the strings are essentially getting longer & shorter and going flat and sharp.

[@shanedelacruz3865]

Hello bro. I have a problem with my locking tuner, It's stuck I don't know how to fix it

[@rmalderson]

Dang! Is the string still lodged in the hole? Which part is stuck? If it is the thumbscrew on the back, you may have cross threaded it, and that may unfortunately be a lost cause. I suppose one way to tell would be look and see if the thumbscrew looks level relative to the rest of the tuner, or if it is cockeyed at some angle. If alternatively it is the pin inside the post, you may just need a little lubricant (e.g., WD40). You might also try removing it from the guitar and firmly but carefully knocking it against something that won’t damage it (like your palm). That might dislodge the pin if it is stuck. Good luck!!

[@shanedelacruz3865]

@@rmalderson thanks for replying kuys(brother) I've fixed it already

[@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.

[@rmalderson]

Interesting approach. I typically just line up the holes so the string pulls straight through, tighten the screw, and tune to pitch.

[@allenwhite1978]

@@rmalderson this is instruction from fender.

[@rmalderson]

@@allenwhite1978 this video is instruction from me. :)

[@allenwhite1978]

@@rmalderson well your method cause string slippage on the high e so I checked fender and this is the recommended way. Best of luck!

[@rmalderson]

@@allenwhite1978 I've never experienced string slippage on the high e or any others, but I'll definitely consider your suggestion if it happens in the future. Thanks

[@strange_jason]

Wrap around only reduces tuning stability when the strings

[@szymon6875]

pro tip, wrap your strings like you would do on regular tuners, cause no.1 it looks ugly no.2 locking tuners werent created to restring faster, its for tuning stability

[@mpremacc]

I had no idea how to do this so I was still doing my old technique of weaving the string over, then going under and over, then locking.... this resulted in it going extremely out of tune very quickly even after retuning 4 - 5 times!...

[@9hk38f]

How tight do you lock it though?

[@rmalderson]

Gosh, I'm not really sure to tell you an exact amount. Tighten them until they are snug, and if the string slips, tighten it a bit more.

[@lenanylonista]

I find it best to wind the string around the post then lock the tuner because if the tuner lock loosens, the string can pop out very easily. The lock pinches the string in the post eyelet so the excess post windings have no tension after a couple minutes of playing…but you get the added safety of not releasing a string. Just be sure none of the windings are sitting on top of one another on the tuning peg / post.

[@rmalderson]

Thanks for your comment, Lena. I've honestly never experienced a string popping out after locking it in the tuner. I suppose there may be differences in tuners that accounts for the differences in our experiences. That said, winding the string around the post defeats the purpose of locking tuner with respect to tuning stability.

[@lenanylonista]

@@rmalderson the string enters the eyelet of the tuning post and is pinched by the tuner lock set screw. Any material beyond that point is not under load. That’s why you can cut the string off beyond the eyelet exit. So wrapping the string around the post a thousand times has zero effect on tuning stability when the tuner is locked. You still get the benefit of maintaining a constant string length, however, should the lock come loose from vibration or handling, the extra windings prevent the string from popping out. I’ve lost strings a number of times when gigging…sliding the guitar out of a soft case can be enough to loosen a tuner.

[@rmalderson]

@@lenanylonista I respectfully disagree. The string wrappings will loosen and tighten during playing and consequently result in tuning instability because the string wraps are not exactly the same as they were when the string was tuned. In other words, the string effectively becomes longer or shorter. Honestly, I've used locking tuners on all of my guitars since the 1990s and I have yet to have a string slip out of the post hole. What tuning machines are you using? I wonder if differences in tuning machines might explain your past experiences. I've never had problems with PRS, Fender, or Schaller locking tuners.

[@ViaticalTree]

@@lenanylonista you’re confused about the physics of it. The wraps ARE under load. That string that wraps is before the lock point otherwise how would the wraps even happen? You’re not wrong that should the lock release the string it would be less likely to come unattached from the tuner, but like Matt, I’ve never had that happen and your tuning stability can only be better without wraps.

[@trevorwesterdahl6245]

In my experience, I want a little more slack in my string (barely) so when tuned, the string is more than 90 degrees, but less than a full turn. If less than 90 degrees, the lock on tuner must be much tighter to keep from pulling out. Lock doesn't need near as much "tightness" after the 90 degree point.

[@rmalderson]

Interesting. I haven't had that problem.

[@trevorwesterdahl6245]

Matt Alderson Where did I say problem? It worked better for me.

[@rmalderson]

@@trevorwesterdahl6245 "If less than 90 degrees, the lock on tuner must be much tighter to keep from pulling out."

[@harls7317]

stop the cap bro bro

[@snicker576]

@@trevorwesterdahl6245 you had a problem

[@justincrazycrafter3581]

I dont think that your guitar need the string trees(retainer thingy) because your tuners look staggered. The one for the low E string is high then it starte to get lower for the other strings. If it is the case then you dont need thosse string trees to add a break angle to the strings

[@rmalderson]

Hi Justin, I totally understand your point. In my experience, the stagger of the tuning pegs does not put a sufficient angle on the string at the nut, so I use one string tree on most of my guitars. It's a bit of a compromise. I put two string trees on this guitar because it wasn't for me and I wanted it to be nearly identical to a factory Strat.

[@justincrazycrafter3581]

@@rmalderson oh ok I understand now

[@fueledbylove]

mY EXPERIENCE WITH LOCKING TUNERS whoops Caps Off. Bought New Ernie Ball guitar the G.C. guy never explained anything about Locking Tuners, well later attempt to tune that Hi "E" I'm checking out these black chrome Schallers and what's this extra knob, is it like a fine-tuning adj.?? Duh. Nope, turned that sucker and pop went the string - so I wound-up here seeking enlightenment. thanks for the instructions!

[@madmystic6529]

Did I miss it or did you really cut out the one thing that needs to be in the video?

[@user-qp4vg5tq2q]

you should wind them min 2 times, otherwise the strings aren‘t long in tune.

[@guilhermecampos8313]

Why this video has so many dislikes?

[@vladimirerfan7721]

I think this should be common sense. I noticed you have staggered pegs and string trees too - what’s the reasoning behind it?

[@rmalderson]

I totally get your question, given the point of staggered pegs (i.e., pegs of different heights) is to eliminate the need for string trees. Unfortunately, I noticed the down force of the strings on the nut was not as strong as I would have liked, so I elected to use the string trees. For me, it's really a decision that is made depending on the actual guitar.

[@garrytalley8009]

Funny how different people use locking tuners. Personally I will still wrap mine the traditional way even with locking tuners. It leaves me more string so that if I need to remove strings for repairs on guitar I have string enough that I can trim bad ends off if necessary when restringing. One size does not fit all with locking tuners. Many people don't even turn the ends as done in this video. In fact many locking tuners that are low end require wraps on the high B and D strings because they don't have the ability to grip the string enough. If one has quality locking tuners they do well and can be used without a wrap.

[@rmalderson]

I get what you're saying about leaving string for repairs, but for general playing purposes, you are defeating the purpose of locking tuners if you wrap the strings multiple times around the posts. I also get your point about high vs low quality tuners. That said, if a set of low quality locking tuners requires multiple wraps, you might as well just use regular non-locking tuners.

[@a.l.1044]

It's at 4:20. Don't thank me.

[@nickzaytz5712]

string trees are kinda useless with locking tuners... no? Am I wrong?

[@rmalderson]

I get why you would say that, as string trees no doubt add another opportunity for friction. That said, some guitars almost have to use string trees, so locking tuners are likely to be better than non-locking. Also, I use low friction trees on most of my Strats and I rarely have problems, even with really heavy use of the trem.

[@nickzaytz5712]

@@rmalderson thanks)

[@lord_beethoven1169]

The string trees are only to keep downward pressure on the strings so they don’t float above the nut. There are some staggered tuners that take away the purpose of string trees.

[@rmalderson]

@@lord_beethoven1169 I agree. I still use one string tree even with staggered tuners because there is not enough downward pressure without it. The low friction trees seem to do fine.

[@mtp04987]

Wow……I just wanted instructions. Thanks anyway.

[@meyeame8956]

How weird you didn't actually show the locking part. Completely cut the camera and didn't show the locking part. wow

[@blazer6248]

I honestly can't believe this video needs to be made. It's self-explanatory to me. 🤷‍♂️

[@TrashPastor]

Here's your cookie brother 🍪

[@rmalderson]

Right? I took one of my guitars to be Plek'd the other day (out of curiosity) and it came back with a lot of wraps around the post (of a locking tuner). I was really suprised.

[@SaxJockey]

​@@rmalderson Just received a brand new guitar with locking tuners...and lots of winds on the posts 🤔.

[@encosikirwan1310]

​@@TrashPastor LoL a cookie for his prize?

[@greenmanalishi6086]

4:32 the most Important part !! is missing... Wow. Get a Camera Tripod, they cost what $5 ?? Then you could show "How" to Lock em!

[@rmalderson]

Tripods are for rookies! In all seriousness, I honestly thought the "locking" part was fairly self explanatory. You simply put the string through the hole in the peg and tighten the screw on the back.

[@raymondmenard5472]

guess I missed the part where you actually locked the string...how?

[@rmalderson]

Start at 3:48

[@claudiocruzat8777]

Like 70 years since electric guitar was invented and we dont have a good and simple system. I have those tuners, tuning stability my ass 🤣.

[@tmeyer2022]

I try to do mine so that I have 180 degree 1/2 wrap to no more than 270 degree 3/4 wrap on any string. I have had the 90 degree 1/4 wraps let go before. P.S. You ramble too much.

[@rmalderson]

Hmmm... I supposed if it doesn't affect your tuning, do what works for you. You really don't need that much of a wrap though. If they are letting go, you aren't tightening the lock enough or you may want to try different tuners. As for rambling... you got me. This video was sorta impromptu so I didn't plan or edit much.

[@SaxJockey]

New to locking tuners here, came with my new guitar 👍. The thought of them potentially slipping is a theoretical concern in that I have not seen any detailed drawings of how they function. Presumably the locking pin and mating surface have to be very accurately manufactured, especially to get a reliable grasp on the high E string. Logically, the internal locking pin (that turns with the tuning post) must freewheel against the pressure from the external lock ring.

[@davidcook8323]

So when you actually locked the string, you cut away? WTF? Get a holder for your phone, and watch some tutorials on how to make a tutorial.

[@Brati999]

Locking tuners have nothing to do with tuning stability:) Its just easier to change the strings. The nut, bridge and guitar have effect on tuning stabilety. Good normal tuners are as good as locking tuners for tuning your guitar and holding in tune. And thats a fact!

[@rmalderson]

I have to disagree with your opinion. Basically, any variable that will contribute to changes in the length of strings between the nut and saddle will contribute to a greater chance of the guitar going out of tune. Indeed, nut slots that bind, bridges that don't return to zero, and necks that are unstable are the most likely culprit. However, a guitar can still go out of tune for other reasons, even when the nut and bridge are perfect. For example, string trees are a common cause of tuning issues because the string may bind up. As JC noted below in another comment, tuners can also cause issue, particularly if there are too many wraps on the tuning peg. I can't say it any better than JC: "...the winds around the peg get looser and tighter as you do bends and use your trem bar. So the strings are essentially getting longer & shorter and going flat and sharp." Locking tuners, particularly high quality tuners, eliminate the need for wraps and consequently remove a variable that can contribute to tuning problems. That, my friend, is a 'fact." :)

[@dwvids7204]

That's weird! Because I've just upgraded a guitar with locking tuners and I now have far better tuning stability. They are even advertised to give you better tuning stability.

[@serph2951]

Locking tuners won't improve your tuning stability, if it does then it means your stringing method was poor

[@rmalderson]

@@serph2951, I"ve been playing for 30 years with and without locking tuners. I'm pretty sure I know how to correctly string a guitar without locking tuners, but now I'm curious to hear about your approach that doesn't allow for any slippage and/or string length change that occurs when the strings loosen and then re-tighten around the tuner post following a bend or tremolo bar use.

[@k8923]

Unfortunate that you put the camera down at exactly the place I was hoping to see you "lock" the tuners. Arrgghh.

[@borzak101]

umm umm ok umm ummm ummm ok ummm ummmm

[@rmalderson]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@davegeraghty2187]

Of what I watched, none of it was about how to use the locking tuners. Gave up after 3 minutes

[@rmalderson]

Understanding why/how guitars go out of tune is the first step to using locking tuners correctly.

[@harls7317]

Stop the cap davey

[@chonch7441]

uhm uhm.. GET TO IT NERVOUS JOE

[@rmalderson]

I'll... I'll... I'll... da, da, do, my very best next time.

[@joechristopher5803]

Idiot watch a different video then

[@smokinjoe4709]

too long winded just show

[@lefthandcrust]

Tusk is ivory. Yep elephants died to provide great sound 😂

[@ThtsDirty]

Tusq, not tusk.

[@randomnav]

You really need to buy a tripod.

[@stevewalling5467]

The first 3:50 seconds of this video needs to be deleted, it has nothing to do with locking turners. Be more concise and you wont have half the people giving you the thumbs down. If you're doing a tutorial on something, just do that, you don't need to explain every aspect of a guitar.

[@rmalderson]

Haha, thanks for the feedback.

[@roberthelps561]

Hopelessly vague. Why even bother?