|
|
Joined:
January 2011
Posts: 3
Location: Maryland | Hi all - first post...
I bought a VXT a few weeks ago. I really, really like the guitar. I got it 'used (though still essentially new) for a very low price.
My only issue after a few weeks of playing it is that it does not stay in tune very well. I also find the tuning machines to be rather touchy - hard to control and really quite difficult.
All my electrics have locking tuners - like Planet Waves or Sperzels. I want to put this type in the VXT but I don't want to kill any of the mojo acoustically (well, with the piezo anyway), so I really have 2 questions.
1. Will changing to a locking tuner be advisable? I play it as an electric 90+% of the time. Mostly blues and zz top type sounds.
2. What tuners would be a direct drop in? I'm thinking these from Grover (http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tuners/Guitar,_solid_peghead_tuners/Grover_Tuners/Grover_Full-size_Locking_Tuning_Machines.html) look the closest, but I don't want to guess incorrectly.
Thanks so much for any feedback/help. I'm still pretty new to playing the guitar - just about 3 years now. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13984
Location: Upper Left USA | Welcome Grabby,
Rather than suspect a bad set of tuners I would make sure I had the right action and attachment technique.
After that, Steinbergers or Sperzels will retro fit just fine. I'm not a fan of the locking Nut myself.
Steingergers on a Woody Tele
Sperzels on a Hamer
And a set from Bernie
 |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10581
Location: NJ | locking tuners will add headstock weight
you probably have pings I would go with schallers |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Hi Grabby, I don't know exactly what your tuning issues are but if you wanna change-out your tuners to Grovers be sure to get the appropriate 'screw-tab' configuration.
The Grovers that your link took me to were inline and had the tab off to the side, you want them in the middle.
Stewmac is here... Or you may buy them cheaper somewhere else. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | I have a VXT and have no problems with the tuners. If all your other electrics have locking, maybe it's your stringing technique that's the problem. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2011
Posts: 3
Location: Maryland | Thanks for the replies guys. I must have put the wrong link in the post... I meant to get the center tabbed 3x3.
I was concerned I might be stringing it with not enough excess string in the tuning machine. I'm restringing as we speak... I will report back. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6992
Location: Jet City | Here's what my winds look like on the low E. By the time I get to the high E I'll usually have 2-3 wraps more.
The first wind is winding up, then the subsequent winds are down so it locks the string in place between to help it keep from slipping.
 |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | The excess string on the post may be the problem. Here\'s a short article that shows the method I use. Minimal windings = minimal stretching = stays in tune... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | Why don't you take off a sper's and / or a planet waves you have, and see if they fit on what you got? That way you'll have your answer tonight! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2011
Posts: 3
Location: Maryland | I guess I could try one of those - but my question was more for a 'drop in' replacement, which would require no drilling, reaming, or filling in of other holes.
I did restring an try some of the methods mentioned here to (hopefully) decent results.
Thanks for the help. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2011
Posts: 1
| Howdy folks -- new member and very glad to be here.
grabby, can you please give us an update?
I'm in the same boat -- just got a new VXT, slightly used (love it!) but having tuning issues.
Got it, put on new set of strings, had trouble with staying in tune after any decent blues bends.
Had the nut replaced, frets dressed, and action set for 10-gauge strings. Better but still have an issue with tuning stability.
My other guitar has locking tuners (Am Dlx Strat with roller nut) so I have fairly high expectations, but then again I'd be happy if my VXT could stay in tune for an entire song after a solo...
Thanks all! |
|
| |
VXT Tuners - or... tuning stability issues?
