In praise of locking machine heads

[Owen]

I have just spent some quality time with my Bolin NS5 trying different strings. 4 sets. With Sperzel locking machines - no problemo. Old set off, new set on in about 3 mins flat. They are the future.

[mrcrow]

[quote name='owen' post='606283' date='Sep 22 2009, 11:45 PM']I have just spent some quality time with my Bolin NS5 trying different strings. 4 sets. With Sperzel locking machines - no problemo. Old set off, new set on in about 3 mins flat. They are the future.[/quote]


whats the problem with the original wheel...and whats the rush

[Guest johnzgerman]

[quote name='mrcrow' post='606569' date='Sep 23 2009, 12:06 PM']

whats the problem with the original wheel...and whats the rush[/quote]

my thoughts exactly, must have been a nightmare trying to get all those strings back in their packets too...

[mrcrow]

[quote name='johnzgerman' post='606585' date='Sep 23 2009, 12:17 PM']my thoughts exactly, must have been a nightmare trying to get all those strings back in their packets too...[/quote]


oooeeeh you got me on that one, mussky

[warwickhunt]

[quote name='owen' post='606283' date='Sep 22 2009, 11:45 PM']I have just spent some quality time with my Bolin NS5 trying different strings. 4 sets. With Sperzel locking machines - no problemo. Old set off, new set on in about 3 mins flat. They are the future.[/quote]

I have to confess we may be in a minority here mate but I'm with you on this one.

[mrcrow]

[quote name='warwickhunt' post='607946' date='Sep 24 2009, 05:53 PM']I have to confess we may be in a minority here mate but I'm with you on this one. [/quote]

for a silly old guy who still rides a horse...

what exactly do they do and why are they needed

[nash]

the only problem is that they look guff. locking tuners are sweet though

[mrcrow]

[quote name='nash' post='607954' date='Sep 24 2009, 06:00 PM']the only problem is that they look guff. locking tuners are sweet though[/quote]


been looking on google
do they give enough break angle

[warwickhunt]

[quote name='mrcrow' post='607953' date='Sep 24 2009, 06:00 PM']for a silly old guy who still rides a horse...

what exactly do they do and why are they needed[/quote]

Instead of relying on the string wrap keeping the string on the post, they are 'locked' and don't need any wraps around the post. Hence they require no thought/effort re. cutting and wrapping strings around the tuning peg (admittedly hardly a difficult job but made far easier non the less ) and are quicker to change.

[quote name='mrcrow' post='607963' date='Sep 24 2009, 06:08 PM']been looking on google
do they give enough break angle[/quote]

Shouldn't make any difference, in fact on most basses they'd give more as the locking hole would be closer to the headstock face.

[xilddx]

TBH I think headless basses are the ultimate in stability and ease of string change. They also look ace. I wish Warwick would make a decent headless based on the Steinberger system. Don't tell me about that hideous Nobby Meidel thing though.

[warwickhunt]

[quote name='silddx' post='608037' date='Sep 24 2009, 07:10 PM']TBH I think headless basses are the ultimate in stability and ease of string change. They also look ace. I wish Warwick would make a decent headless based on the Steinberger system. Don't tell me about that hideous Nobby Meidel thing though.[/quote]

The very first Warwick Thumb bass was intended to be a headless design... just saying.

[xilddx]

[quote name='warwickhunt' post='608056' date='Sep 24 2009, 07:31 PM']The very first Warwick Thumb bass was intended to be a headless design... just saying. [/quote]
Good lord, I had no idea.

[henry norton]

[quote name='silddx' post='608084' date='Sep 24 2009, 08:56 PM']Good lord, I had no idea.[/quote]
With that kind of neck dive how could it have started out as anyhing else???

Funnily enough - and rather more on topic - don't they just add more weight, or do you counter that by snipping off the excess string once they're locked in place? Sounds incredibly anal but I've recently discovered the delights of lightweight tuners on an erstwhile neck heavy instrument. Lightweight, locking machines, I'm off to the patent office........

[warwickhunt]

[quote name='henry norton' post='608099' date='Sep 24 2009, 08:04 PM']Funnily enough - and rather more on topic - don't they just add more weight, or do you counter that by snipping off the excess string once they're locked in place? Sounds incredibly anal but I've recently discovered the delights of lightweight tuners on an erstwhile neck heavy instrument. Lightweight, locking machines, I'm off to the patent office........[/quote]

You do snip off the excess string but that doesn't save a great deal of weight. The weight saving is with the tuners themselves; the locking tuners on the Bolin basses are about as light as a tuner can conceivably be!

[NancyJohnson]

Bit late to the party here, but I put Sperzels on my Epiphone Dot six-string. Being a ham-fisted bass player, I just couldn't keep the guitar from going out of tune. They took literally minutes to fit, string changing is a doddle and they don't budge. Quality upgrade.

P

[xilddx]

I also put Sperzels on my PRS, they're really good.

[Starless]

I just can't see me debasing my Fenders with those pretty wee pastel coloured bits of twee. Probably Ok for 6-stringers (they're all closet flower arrangers anyway), but not on a bass.

[xilddx]

[quote name='Starless' post='608162' date='Sep 24 2009, 09:20 PM']I just can't see me debasing my Fenders with those pretty wee pastel coloured bits of twee. Probably Ok for 6-stringers (they're all closet flower arrangers anyway), but not on a bass.[/quote]

[The Burpster]

[quote name='silddx' post='608145' date='Sep 24 2009, 09:06 PM']I also put Sperzels on my PRS, they're really good.[/quote]

Bass or 6 string.... ?

If its your bass I'd like a pic of that - always been envious of my g'tarist and his lockers on the Custom 22.....

[JTUK]

I have no problem changing a set of cleaned up strings in that sort of time on a 5, I reckon, but then I wouldn't spoil the whole thing for speed anyway...
I'd pay way more attention to the way the strings sat on the bridge as well...plus with strings off, it is a nice time to clean up the bass and wax/oil/polish it


FWIW... bass strings should lead straight to the posts with no deviation in line... IMV.. that way, you can swap the string around numerous times without any more kinks in the strings than necc'

I like a clean sound but have rotated my strings for years now and can't..literally...recall when I last bought a new set..
But will do so soon just for the sake of a few new pairs in the mix..

[xilddx]

[quote name='The Burpster' post='608516' date='Sep 25 2009, 11:45 AM']Bass or 6 string.... ?

If its your bass I'd like a pic of that - always been envious of my g'tarist and his lockers on the Custom 22..... [/quote]
No, it's a guitar. Sorry mate. Guitars are a pain in the arse.

[The Burpster]

[quote name='silddx' post='608710' date='Sep 25 2009, 03:43 PM']No, it's a guitar. Sorry mate. Guitars are a pain in the arse.[/quote]

Indeed so. However you have got me thinking...........

[xilddx]

TBH, I don't see the need for lockers on a bass.

[mrcrow]

i see the concept now...i think i have seen similar for making headless use standard one ball end strings
and iirc there was a bass with a sort of acrylic rough paint finish had fast acting tuners back in 1991

[Wil]

I've got schaller locking tuners on my Warmoth Stat and wouldn't go back now. Love 'em. Just makes changing strings that little bit quicker and hassel free, which leaves more time to play the thing.