Fender Shaller Locking Tuners

Locking tuners are a must for any guitar I build. About two years ago I purchased a Fender American Deluxe Fat Strat. It's one of two actual fender stratocasters that I've purchased, rather than built. The American Deluxe strat came with tuners that lock, which I understood were useful in keeping the guitar in tune.

The Fender Shaller type tuner is a standard, single string hole tuner. They will fit the Fender American Deluxe Series, the American Series, older American Standard, and the ongoing (Mexican made) Standard series guitars with no drilling, and replacement is a snap since they are basically upgraded standard tuners that lock. The difference is the lock tuner has a thumb screw at the bottom that pushes a hardened steel pin, through the center of the tuning peg, that pinches the string in place.

This eliminates the possibility of all string slip that might allow the guitar to go out of tune. What I didn't realize is how much easier string changes are. With the ability to lock the string, you don't have to be concerned about having enough windings to hold the string in place. Additionally, once locked, your hand is free to just guide the string rather than concerning yourself with the string slipping in the hole.

At $60.00-$70.00 these tuner are a little expensive, however you can sell your original tuners, and recoup some of that cost. I've got a set of Wilkinson lock tuners on the way, I'll keep you posted. JB

As a footnote I've got a section on installing these tuners here.

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