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Preferred locking tuners for 50s Les Paul Standard (Kluson style)?

BenTobith

New member
Joined
May 27, 2020
Messages
3
Hi everyone!

I'm looking for opinions on your preferred locking tuners (for those using them) to replace Kluson style, vintage look tuners (but with collars and screw in bushings, so for a "modern" instrument).

I've used Kluson's own Revolution series tuners on my SG Standard. They work great, but they are a bit bulky — which might not be avoidable for locking tuners — and the most annoying part is the plastic/pearl knobs are sort of transparent, and so you can see the screw. They're more of a milky white than the opaque, greenish color of the originals. And unfortunately, I can't find an option to replace them that isn't that way (only metal ones).

For my 50s Les Paul, I'd rather not lose the original look as much as I can. I've looked at Grover, Gotoh, and Hipshot, but I'm not sure they have locking options that are in this Kluson style, or with the correct (or close to correct) plastic/pearl knobs.

Are there other brands or options out there I'm missing?
 

GimmeGibson

Active member
Joined
May 27, 2021
Messages
111
I just saw a Gotoh model which looks very much like the Kluson model on the 50’s LP, except for the lock wheel itself. You can select which knobs you want to maintain the original look or change it up. I have the same guitar and I am also thinking about locking tuners. I really like the Grovers on my Epiphone LP, so convenient to use. I do want to keep the vintage look on my Gibson, however.

 

metropolis

Active member
Joined
Sep 14, 2018
Messages
390
I have the perfect thing for you. I installed the Gotoh SD90 MG SL locking tuners on my 2015 Deluxe which I replaced the robot tuners with. You wouldn't know they're locking unless you were stringing because there's no thumb wheel behind them, they work by locking as you turn the key (so part of just tuning it up from slack).

Annoyingly there's a lot of product variants of the SD90 it seems but just search for the locking ones and choose the ones without the wheel on the back like these: https://www.gluedtomusic.com/products/726/gotoh-sd90-magnum-locking-tuners-3-x-3-nickel-sl/
 

metropolis

Active member
Joined
Sep 14, 2018
Messages
390
I think it's listed there as the MG string post option (because that's all it really is that locks them).

I can see loads of European retailers with them, I got them from Thomann but can't imagine Gotoh would do a European only product.
 
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