Strat Tuning Machines

[Madison]

Trying to get one of my Strats "right".
I thought it's probably time to do some upgrades on this particular guitar after 13 years.
I replaced the bridge last year and I just tonight replaced the nut with one of those Tusc from Graphtech.
It seems pretty good now; I cannot hear the kinking formerly on the nut anymore.
When using the whammy;it appears to run smooth.
But, I do hear some sort of kinking up on the headstock somewhere.
I am thinking it's down to the stock tuning machines.
I am not sure how much trouble tuning machines can make?
Any suggestions/experiences?
Which tuners are good?

[jjasilli]

Sometimes such rattling is a loose truss rod.  Whack the neck with your open hand and see if you hear a rattle. 

I've had tuning machines rattle also; usually not when they're under tension though.  EXCEPT locking Spergels; I've got them on my "modern" (franken) strat; they came with the used carvin neck I bought for the project.  The Spergels's  locking wheels get loose and rattle now & then.  Also, the locking wheels tighten an internal pin against the guitar string; but the pin often stays tight when the locking wheel is loosened to change strings.  This defeats the supposed ease of changing strings. 

I used to hate the vintage style, slotted pegs with the hole in the middle of the shaft.  I've grown to like them though and they don't rattle.

[G._Hoffman]

Any tuning issues are more likely to be either the nut or the string trees.  Yes, graphite nuts will bind if they are not correctly adjusted, and the string trees are an even bigger issue.  You NEED the string trees, but I would suggest trying to find some graphite or roller string trees.  They work a lot better, in my experience.

Tuning problems and "slipping" problems are almost never caused by the tuners.  The only thing I would advise is to make sure you are tuning UP to a note.  If you tune down to a note, you leave slack in the wrap around the shaft, and also leave a bit of slack in the way the gears mesh.  By tuning up to a note, that isn't a problem.


Gabriel

[Madison]

I think the truss rod is fine.

I do get some slack in the low E when I bend it hard.......it sometimes come back flat.
(maybe time for some new strings)

These tuners "feel" good and smooth IMHO.

I always "tune up" to a key.

Yes, I think the kinking noise is indeed coming from the trees.
I think they have grooves in them from wear.
They are the funky mid-90s ones that have sort of tiny ball ends, not the vintage style I usually see.

Thanks a lot.

[bluesbear]

With the graduated Sperzels, you don't need the trees anymore. The posts get shorter up the headstock. The more pronounced break-angle holds the strings in place better. One less thing to rattle!
BTW, the point of Sperzel's isn't for ease of changing strings, it's for better tuning stability, particularly with a vibrato. They work.
Dave

[Madison]

The Sperzels look very nice and make sense.
If I am unhappy with the addition of the trees, I will definitely be looking into those.

[G._Hoffman]

With the graduated Sperzels, you don't need the trees anymore. The posts get shorter up the headstock. The more pronounced break-angle holds the strings in place better.

In theory.  It doesn't always work that way. 

Honestly, you would probably be better served by a set up by a really good repair person than new tuners.  Just getting the nut adjusted right and opening up the back side of the slot will work wonders.


Gabriel

[Madison]

New string trees installed.
Made all the final adjustments.It took about 30 minutes for it to sort of "settle in".
Been playing somewhat aggressive whammy for the last hour.
Fantastic!
Didn't have to touch the tuners.
I don't think it has ever played this well.

Side note, I could actually see where the old trees were wearing into the strings when I removed them.

End report.

Peace