Locking elephant ear tuners?

[Larry Mal]

Hey all, I'm a long time bassist although more often a guitar player. I am going to treat myself around Thanksgiving to either a new Stingray Classic or an AVRI '62 Fender Jazz bass. More likely the Jazz. It's time to supplement my old G&L 1000, which is a fine bass, but getting a little beat up (it's a lot beat up).

I know how to change strings, and I know that there is no need for extra stability with properly wound strings on a bass (or a guitar). On the other hand, though, I simply find changing strings to be very frustrating. I seem to be somewhat dyslexic that way for some reason.

This is why I have changed all my guitars to being set up with locking tuners. It just makes it a lot less frustrating to me.

On the other hand, though, I'm not going to change the look of an AVRI Jazz away from those classic tuners. So, does anybody know where those are able to be procured?

Thanks all! Glad to have found this forum recently.

[bassteban]

The only locking tuners I recall hearing about are/were Sperzels- I'm guessing that w/little trem/whammy work, basses don't create much of a market for them.

Edit: Oh- and welcome to TB.

[stflbn]

I'd be concerned with locking tuners on a Fender or Musicman style bass not moving the strings low enough on the tuning peg to provide good downforce on the nut.

I've also not seen locking tuners as large of diameter as needed for Fender or Musicman headstocks.

[Darkstrike]

In the case of a Fender/Musicman style instrument, locking tuners are a solution looking for a problem.

[giacomini]

Put some flats and forget about string changes!

JK (although that would be a solution for me, since I love flats)

I've seen locking bass tuners, but all of them were sealed and none had those vintage elephant ears...

[walterw]

Originally Posted by Larry Mal

I know how to change strings,...On the other hand, though, I simply find changing strings to be very frustrating. I seem to be somewhat dyslexic that way for some reason.

so which is it?

yeah, the big 'uns don't come as lockers; you need to have several wraps down the post anyway to get the string angle past the nut to be steep enough to not rattle (especially on the A of any fender).

it's really easy, though; judge about the length of the headstock past the key in question, cut the string, jam it down the hole, bend it over, wind it up.

nothing to it. (although a bass-sized pegwinder is a godsend here.)

[Larry Mal]

Fair enough! It's not a big deal, I can make do on a bass. I was just wondering, since I like locking tuners so much on my guitars. I recently bought a twelve string Taylor, you can bet that's getting locking tuners.

I don't know why I get so irritated as I do, but changing strings bothers me for some reason.

Thanks for the replies! Thanks for the welcome to the forum.

[walterw]

lockers would indeed work on that 12-string, but i would first be looking for some lightweight keys! twelve of them jewels on a long guitar headstock add up to one neck-heavy instrument.