Hipshot 6GLO Grip-Lock Locking Guitar Tuning Machines 3+3 - Universal Mounting Plate UMP included - Chrome

I have a left handed 1979 DEAN Z Standard (starburst) mint - the ones made in the USA. It had Grover 18:1 original factory machine heads. Bought this guitar brand new when I was 18 - she is my baby :) This is an awesome guitar - solid mahogany body - rosewood fretboard - Dimarzio Super Distortion pickups - very tight low action on the board - all the way up and down - ALL GOOD. One issue was - TUNING. I would get 3 or 4 songs into the set - and she would start to drift on the tuning. Tried everything - wrapping the strings nice - being careful of my playing style etc. Still - 3 or 4 songs is what I got. THEN - I tried this: ROLLER BRIDGE 1) I replaced the original "Tune O Matic" chrome bridge - with a ROLLER version of the Tune O Matic. This is important - those sharp edges on the standard Tune O Matics - not only break strings (when the strings get old) - but - they are not smooth with the sliding of the strings during tuning. (pretty much all Gibson guitars (or knock off Gibson guitars have Tune O Matic bridges) - something to think about. AND it does not cost much - like $40. HIPSHOT LOCKING TUNERS 2) Pretty much all Hipshot tuners come with the universal install plates. This was huge. I did NOT want to have to drill new holes to install these - NOT - in my 40 year old vintage guitar. This Macgyver (install) works really well. No screws needed. JUST BE SURE YOU KNOW THE PROPER DIAMETER OF THE TUNER PEG HOLES. - you would not want to have to drill the main tuner holes larger - that would be a bad thing - if the guitar is a keeper - that would hurt its value - not to mention the fact - that you might be labeled a butcher :) I kept the original Grover Tuners safe - and if need be - in the future it could be switched back - with zero damage to the guitar - that is actually genius on the part of HIPSHOT. I should get a job there - seriously :) OK - so - did these installs help with staying in tune?? YES. Where as I use to get about 3 or 4 songs in the set - before she started to drift out of tune - now I am getting about 7 - 8. That is good with me. My Dean does not have a whammy bar - but - I bend and work her good. I think the Tune O Matic Roller bridge (on guitars that have em) - and HipShot locking tuners - DO help keep your guitar in tune.

These are a fantastic upgrade from stock tuners. The universal mounting plate makes installation easy. The locking feature means it takes less than a minute to change a string -- you just pull it through, tighten the gear, and tune it up. It won't even make a full twist around the peg before it's in tune. The tuners also feel high quality and look neat. Some tips before you order: Make sure you are buying the right version of these. The sets are not all the same, especially if you're comparing a 3x3 (think Les Paul headstock) vs. a straight 6 (Stratocaster headstock). Measure the hole size for your tuner, since older guitars use a different size. Also measure the thickness of your headstock because you might need a longer post size. Yeah, these things means you'll have to remove your strings and unscrew the nut on one of your tuners, but it's better to double check before you have to buy and return.

Esta es mi primera vez probando "locking tuners" así que me tomé mi tiempo en ver las diferentes opciones en marcas para mi Talman TCM50. Después de mucho análisis, me decidí por Hipshot precisamente por el kit de instalación. No necesité taladrar ni modificar nada del cabezal. La instalación fue fácil y rápida. Más me tardé en desatornillar la maquinaria vieja que en la propia instalación. Es verdad que es una maquinaria cara (aunque no es la más cara del mercado) pero el beneficio es mayor, ya no demoro tanto en cambiar cuerdas y la afinación es más estable. Además de que ahora mi guitarra se ve muy bonita :)

These are nicely made, smooth and hold tune perfectly. This is the second set I have bought.

Legit Hipshot tuners.