Why Fender? Squier 2-pin tuners not compatible with Fender 2-pin Locking Tuners 😐

I was hoping to make a simple upgrade to this fine example of a Squier Hello Kitty STRAT, but to my surprise the 2-pin tunes on the Squier are much closer to the post than on a MIM or US Stratocaster. Why Fender?

[@jmakc3541]

Fender is shady like that when it comes to part interchangeability. Proprietary protections. Even the MIM stuff won;t always work with the American standard stuff. For instance, on a Mex Deluxe Tele body, the bridge location is 1/8" closer to the neck pocket, requiring a special bridge plate. Fender feels this is all supposed to be inherent knowledge, btw. Gotoh makes some really good tuners will will drop into a Squier. They, apparently, make a lot of Fender's stuff for them, too.

[@carpathus]

Fender's way of saying no to you. They are saying that if you want to use those tuners you need to buy Fender instead of Squier. I made them work by using a pair of diagonal cutters to cut the posts down low then press them into the wood lining them up with a straight edge before final tightening. Works great and they have not moved or come loose. Evidently only a small little nub of a post is enough to hold them in place. Do this at your own risk but for me it was an easy simple solution. Cheers!

[@MattsGarageMiscDIY]

I have done one other Squier that had the diagonal screw holes, had to ream peg holes, fill old screw holes and use the StewMac jig (amzn.to/3SGZYxd) to drill for the new tabs. It came out nice. Was somehow hoping that Fender had a standardized format on these two 2-pin style tuners, but not to be… I doubt this is anything more than cost driving cheaper parts on Squier vs. some bigger strategy that factors in customers and their desire to mod or upgrade and making it extra hard on purpose. Glad you got yours to work and I imagine they are plenty solid!

[@xBelastianx]

Have you found a solution to the problem? I have the same issue and I just don't wanna drill extra holes. There are Graph Tech ratio tuners for 150 $ or Tone Ninja ones for 50 $. In both cases shipping to Europe is an addiotnal 30-35 $ on top :/

[@MattsGarageMiscDIY]

I ended up selling this guitar and left the stock tuners in place. I have on another Squier updated to the Fender Locking tuners, plugged old holes, drilled new ones using the StewMac jig. Came out great but takes some time.

[@NotXeneonn]

I just bought new tuners for my squier and have the same problem not only the guy sold me the tuners and told they were lock in tuners when they weren't but they don't even fit I'm pissed frl

[@stephanieortiz2966]

Same here man I have got the locking tuners and I have a squier and it did not fit. Yo you think you can do that for me please I don't have the tools to do that

[@Trials-and-Tribulations]

Try go with a Fender staggered tuners set. Line tuners up for each string. The one your showing could be for the low E string Cool squire affinity like yours has a 10mm hole same as fender mexican. I have an old 1980s affinity alder body👍🤘 Also have a 1993 fender Mexican that has standard tuners. I bought extra set of fender standard tuners for my affinity the hole of each matches but the pin on tuner dont drop in? Standard tuners do cover holes from Squire. My issue it could i need to lay out each standard tuner on bench next to squire neck take each one out at a time compare them. For me i would need drill two new holes. I myself dont want too. Other option buy better squire tuners from classic vibe maybe.

[@MattsGarageMiscDIY]

Yup, I’ve done this upgrade on another Squier that didn’t have the 2-pin style tuners, and going into it knew I’d be using my jig to drill holes for the pins, plug old holes, ream for the posts. I was hoping that the Squier 2-pin tuners were the same form factor as the MIM or USA models, but they are not… I have since sold the guitar and it will be up to the new owner if it gets any upgrades. Thanks for your feedback.

[@hadleymanmusic]

Yea me too I got a schector strat neck and I need staggered small pin pattern chrome thats all

[@hadleymanmusic]

Cant find any.

[@lohndavis3794]

I agree 😢

[@jazzdrumguy5044]

Just as stupid as having 1 pin tuners on Squiers - I just bought Fender tuners and now need to drill 12 holes!

[@mudtoetx1595]

You're trolling right?

[@f.d.english5080]

Cause this was a cheap ass guitar when it came out

[@guyincognito1423]

I never checked, but I assume BMW parts dont fit on a Kia either. Squiers are licensed by fender to make cheap knock offs for beginners. They are NOT made by Fender, and definitely not made to be upgraded.

[@MattsGarageMiscDIY]

For the record, Squier is a Fender sub brand, Fender bought Squier in 1965.

[@jmakc3541]

I've upgraded every Squier I've ever owned. It's almost like that's what they're for. If they aren't meant to be modded, there sure is a massive market for all the parts.

[@sandoncrowder7839]

There's a reason why a Lexus and a Toyota share parts, of course they're different but one isn't simply a knock off of another.