• Guys, we've spent considerable money converting the Les Paul Forum to this new XenForo platform, and we have ongoing monthly operating expenses. THE "DONATIONS" TAB IS NOW WORKING, AND WE WOULD APPRECIATE ANY DONATIONS YOU CAN MAKE TO KEEP THE LES PAUL FORUM GOING! Thank you!

Best Tuning Machines for a Les Paul Std.

ch willie

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 7, 2007
Messages
1,114
I've made excuses over the years, but i have to admit that the tuners on my Les Paul Std. Faded suck butt. I can't keep the guitar in tune no matter how carefully I string it.

What are some very good tuners that will keep my guitar in tune and for which, I won't have to do any boring.

Thanks for suggestions.
 

jerns

Member
Joined
Mar 7, 2012
Messages
391
Locking grovers have been working for me. No extra holes but you'll have an exposed screw hole from your old tuners.
 

J.D.

Well-known member
Joined
May 24, 2006
Messages
10,030
I like Grover rotomatics myself, but pretty much any modern replacement will get you on your way. Depends really on the look you are after and level of installation effort.
 

J.D.

Well-known member
Joined
May 24, 2006
Messages
10,030
Yeah, the 102s. If your stock bushings are the screw in type and not the vintage press-in style, they should drop right in the factory headstock holes.
 

J.D.

Well-known member
Joined
May 24, 2006
Messages
10,030
There are other factors besides the tuning machines that can affect the guitar's ability to stay tuned.
 

jerns

Member
Joined
Mar 7, 2012
Messages
391
Yeah those are the non locking versions of the ones I have on three les pauls.
 

ch willie

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 7, 2007
Messages
1,114
There are other factors besides the tuning machines that can affect the guitar's ability to stay tuned.

You're right--it can be due to many things. It's not the way I string it. I do it by the book, and none of my other geets go out of tune. It probably isn't the nut because the drop in pitch is too great for that.
 

Big Al

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 24, 2002
Messages
14,537
Tuning issues are almost always a nut/saddle issue. Upgrade tuners may offer a higher ratio to smoothly get you there, but if your guitar won't stay in tune now, it most likely isn't going to be fixed with a tuner change.
 

ch willie

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 7, 2007
Messages
1,114
Al, I know that you're right about tuning issues. But the guitar really goes flat, I mean a whole step sometimes.
 

Elmore

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 10, 2003
Messages
1,853
I have replaced tuners on 2 Les Pauls within the last couple of years with the TonePros Klusons. They work very well.
 

ch willie

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 7, 2007
Messages
1,114
I was looking at the locking Klusons--they look more like the stock tuners than the other brands. Were you able to drop them in, Elmore, without any mods? And did you need a special tool to put them in? Thanks.
 

Elmore

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 10, 2003
Messages
1,853
ch willie, they dropped right in. I did not get the locking version. I purchased the TPKB3-N NICKEL. My guitars are not Historic so they had the screw in bushings. I almost put in Grovers. I decided to think on it for a while before I did anything. After reading reviews and realizing that these looked traditional but were better on the inside (ratio) than traditional Klusons, I went with the Kluson Tone Pros. I have not regretted it. They use the existing screw holes and there is nothing to ream out for size considerations. I put them in an '87 Prehistoric/standard and a '71 LP Deluxe (routed for full size humbuckers).
 

Wilko

All Access/Backstage Pass
Joined
Mar 11, 2002
Messages
20,854
Tuners can't slip. Even shitty ones. It's physics.

GO 'head and spend money if it makes you feel better.
 

jerns

Member
Joined
Mar 7, 2012
Messages
391
Locking tuners practically dummy proof the stringing process. That's what I was implying
 

Don

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 1, 2001
Messages
5,732
Locking tuners practically dummy proof the stringing process. That's what I was implying

True. The Sperzels on my Carvin make string changes super quick and easy.
 

jerns

Member
Joined
Mar 7, 2012
Messages
391
True. The Sperzels on my Carvin make string changes super quick and easy.

I've heard that sperzels are the best locking tuners out there from a couple people... I've never seen 3 per side sperzels in any guitar shop though...
 

Ad_02Std

Active member
Joined
Apr 12, 2005
Messages
5,055
Tuners can't slip. Even shitty ones. It's physics.

GO 'head and spend money if it makes you feel better.

Yup. Change the machines for a smoother function, faster string change, or maybe just for the look, but if your guitar is slipping out of tune then nine times out of ten it needs work on the nut. The 10th time it'll be the bridge.
 
Top