Hello everyone. I realize tradition guitar tuning machine heads have been around a long time. They work. Are locking machine heads an upgrade so to speak for tuning stability, or just a faster string change device? Are they just another “accessory” or are they genuinely benifitial?
IMHO, they’re mainly for easier string changes. I still use enough string to put a good three wraps around the capstan even with lockers, because I don’t trust them to not vibrate loose and release a string to whack me in the eye. So they still have that slack in the turns.
That said, I don’t find any of my guitars going out of tune due to string slippage, with or without lockers. Once they stabilize after a string change, the temperature and humidity stability is far more important for staying in tune.
Maybe if I did string bends I’d see it, but I don’t.
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I have locking tuners on my Les Paul (Grovers). I definitely agree that the main purpose is simplifying string changes. I also still do a couple winds when I install fresh strings. Less out of a lack of trust and more due to the belt-and-suspenders approach.
I don’t bend strings much, but I do a little bit, and I don’t find that locking tuners help with tuning stability there. Outside of the initial stabilization period, I don’t have any slippage but I do find that no matter what, if I bend more, that the tuning needs adjustment. It’s not a huge deal, though, honestly.
Now, on the guitar I’m building, I’m putting Graph Tech Ratio locking tuners on it. I’m really curious how the different gearing ratios will make it for the process of tuning. It annoys me that the lowest strings are usually SUPER touchy and hard to really dial in because a small turn has such a large effect compared to the higher strings.
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If you are sloppy about winding the string around a traditional tuner, then they can slip a bit and that seems to be the major tuning issue for them.
I have changed to locking tuners on a couple guitars and really like the ease of just locking the string and winding to tune in maybe 1/2 rotation of the tuning shaft. Very easy and no need to fiddle with getting the string to wind nicely 3 times around the tuning peg to keep in place.
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I put them on my strat, but not my PRS or acoustic. I think they are more consistent in keeping tune depending on your wrapping, but the best part is string changes.
If you wrap the strings properly the tuning will remain stable.
How to Change Acoustic Guitar Strings | Standard Headstock (Pro Advice) - YouTube
I agree. I don’t think they help with tuning stability, as long as you know how to string a guitar with conventional tuners. They do make it a bit quicker to change strings though. I think that on any future builds, or upgrade projects I would choose locking for convenience.
Actually, I like the spilt post tuners that are on my squier affinity tele. They make string changes very easy.
Yes, I watched a video on an upgrade of an affinity tele and he installed those. I thought that’s a good idea to have different ratios for the different strings. As you say, the 6th string requires such tiny turns to make a big change in tuning.
I had intended to buy an Affinity Tele Mocha with flamed maple top and SH pickups and change the pickups for a Tonerider Hot Classic in the bridge and a Tonerider Alnico 2 Plus humbucker in the neck and make it into my punk guitar, and add those tuners. But now with the Fender thing, I’m less keen to buy a new Squier/Fender.
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100%
I’ve had locking tuners, but not any more. String changing is perhaps a bit easier, but it’s not exactly difficult with regular tuners, and if done right doesn’t cause tuning problems. Locking tuners are bigger and heavier 
I think the easiest tuners for fast string changes are the fender vintage ones with the hole down the centre (center 
) of the shaft. These are so quick and easy to both string up and remove. I absolutely love those tuners - Fender got that one right from the get go.
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Definitely beneficial for string changing, but no different than a properly wound normal tuner for stability
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Chiming in with the rest. I have locking tuners on all my guitars but one now. I don’t think they make a difference for tuning stability but they do make string changes a little bit faster.
That said, I am a fan of vintage split-style tuners as well. They’re nearly as easy as locking tuners for me. After you’ve changed strings a few times you’ll probably be able to do it pretty quickly anyway.
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I have locking tuners on most of my guitars, it helps with string changes, that’s it! 
The term “Locking Tuners” is a misleading. All modern tuners(for about the last 100 years) are self locking if strung properly. There is no need for Martin Knots or anything fancy.
Tuner are tapered for a reason. When rapped properly the string is forced on to itself locking it in place. Just poke the string through the hole, leave enough slack for about 3 full wraps and wrap all the windings beneath the string.
So Locking Tuners should be called Quick Change tuners not Locking Tuners.
So there really isn’t a need for them unless you change your strings a lot or are a gigging musician who can’t afford a personal guitar tech.
I personally wouldn’t change out regular tuners for locking tuners and I wouldn’t take them off a guitar that came with them. They serve their purpose by keeping the strings attached to the guitar
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