tuning machines

[guitarer]

I'm looking to replace the tuners on my squier bullet. I want to get grovers, but I can't find them in a 6-in-a-line configuration. anybody know where I can get in-line grovers? If not, what're the next best tuners? Sperzels, kulsons, or what?

[Classical Exile]

First of all, do you want locking or non-locking?.

Sperzels are the Rolls Royce of tuners, very good but very expensive. Schaller or Gotoh is a good compromise, both make high quality tuners, locking and non-locking, for about the same price as Grover.

[guitarer]

I'm not really sure if I want locking or non-locking. What are the advantages/disadvantages for each?

[Classical Exile]

Locking tuners stay in tune for longer and can't get knocked out of tune accidentally, (resting the headstock against a wall or something), but they're more expensive and quite hard to get the hang of at first. Non-locking tuners are easier to use and cheaper but don't stay in tune for as long and can get knocked out of tune accidentally.

You may also want to consider the dimension of the keyholes, Schaller, Grover and Gotoh are different widths at each end so it might be tricky to put them on but Sperzel and Kluson, (don't know if the original company is still around but Gotoh make some good reproductions), are drilled straight through.

[ESP_Viper]

I recommend not getting the machine heads that are all 6 attached to eachother. If one goes bad you have to replace all of them. Get the ones that are individual. Though, be careful because they may not fit. Make sure whoever you buy them off of GAURANTEES they will fit and on the chance that their gaurantee was a hope make sure they will replace them with a different set for no cost at all.

[guitarer]

Yeah I was planing on getting single ones.

On the locking tuners, they lock from the back with a thumbscrew, right? I've looked at Sperzels and that's how it looks like they lock. I'm pretty sure Kluson is still around, since they outfit every Les Paul and pretty much every Gibson.

Has anyone seen Grover tuners in an in-line configuration?

[Classical Exile]

I'm sure Grovers are available 6 inline, Gibson uses them on the limited edition and gothic Explorers and you're right about the thumbwheel.

[guitarer]

I thought Gibson used Klusons. I know they're on the Les paul, and since I've seen them in an in-line, I think that's what they use. The thing I'm wondering is where can I buy in-line Grovers?

[Classical Exile]

Gibson use their own tuners on the Les Paul now and Grovers on the gothic series and new Flying V and Explorer according to their website.

Do a little a web searching to find Grovers distributor and see if you can get hold of a list of retailers, your local music store may even be able to order them.

[chrisbs]

They make them, stop by your local guitar shop, they should have them/can order them for you
http://www.fretland.com

[55'gibby]

or you can look at some web sites:

http://stewmac.com
http://musiciansfreind.com

I have put a set of locking tuners on a strat I have... I love'em. but they do weigh more and may not fit right. be careful.