Vintage style locking tuners-Gotoh vs Kluson

[jm55]

My new 2014 Les Paul Standard Light does not stay in tune nearly as well as my other Les Paul with Locking tuners, so I am in the market for an upgrade. In Kluson style tuners the choices are Kluson Locking Revolution and Gotoh Magnum Lock Traditional. I am wondering if anyone here has seen and/or tried both. They both have characteristics that are appealing. The Gotoh's are less expensive, and have a lower ratio at 15:1, which I actually prefer to higher ratio. The Kluson are in fact 19:1, but from pictures they look nicer and have a thick shaft. Any opinions welcome.

 

[edselman]

In my limited experience using quality tuners, the tuners have very little or no impact on tuning stability. I believe that the nut is more likely the culprit. The 2014 Les Paul that I owned came with Tone Pros tuners. Those were some of the best tuners that Gibson has used. Put whatever tuners you like on your guitar, but look elsewhere to solve a tuning issue.

 

[jstarr]

Klusons are great tuners. I've owned several sets. That being said, as mentioned, unless you have some complete garbage $5 units, the tuners are unlikely to be the issue. Not impossible... But unlikely.

 

[dodona]

I'm using Gotoh Magnum Lock for a long time very happily.

 

[integra evan]

I have the Gotoh magnum lock on my Studio as well as on my strat - awesome tuners. I barely have to retune my guitars, so tuning ratio doesn't necessarily matter to me.

 

[musicmaniac]

I've got the Kluson Locking Revolutions and they work and look great.

 

[Guitpicky]

IMO it's only worth it if you're changing to a different style. I wouldn't replace perfectly good Kluson style tuners with another set of Kluson style tuners.

That being said, I have two Taks that use Gotohs and they're really smooth and well made tuners

 

[RocketKing]

I would second what others have said : tuning issues typically depend on the nut, not the tuners.
Having said that I put on the gotoh tuners you mentioned on my V100 a les paul style guitar.
I actually prefer them to the Gibson factory tuners. I haven't changed them though cause the stock ones work OK and I can't be bothered to replace them

 

[edselman]

Because I like the looks of vintage tuners, and I appreciate quality construction and functionality, I replaced the factory Gibson tuners on my guitars with Kluson Deluxe tuners and the press-in conversion bushings. However, I believe that the 2014 Traditional has chrome hardware, and Klusons only come in nickel.

 

[jm55]

Thanks for all the replies. Yes, I realize tuning issues are usually caused by the nut, but I've still developed an appreciation for locking tuners. They also facilitate aligning the knob in the best position for ease of tuning. I find tuning easiest when the knob is in a certain orientation, and locking tuners make this adjustment a breeze.

 

[jm55]

I've got the Kluson Locking Revolutions and they work and look great.

Did you install the locking tuners, or were they on the guitar when you bought it? If you installed them, did you happen to make any note of the weight difference between the original and locking? The locking tuners look like they should be heavier. I emailed Kluson to ask the weight, but I don't know when I'll hear back. I'm leaning Kluson now because this guitar would do better with some extra mass at the headstock.

 

[musicmaniac]

Did you install the locking tuners, or were they on the guitar when you bought it? If you installed them, did you happen to make any note of the weight difference between the original and locking? The locking tuners look like they should be heavier. I emailed Kluson to ask the weight, but I don't know when I'll hear back. I'm leaning Kluson now because this guitar would do better with some extra mass at the headstock.

Unfortunately the guitar came that way so I'm unable to answer your questions. I'd be curious to hear Kluson's response though.

 

[jm55]

I called Kluson today and asked for a weight on the locking tuners. They said 35.8 grams. I measured a traditional Kluson tuner and got 31.1 grams. That's a difference of 4.7 grams, which was much less than I was expecting.

 

[Airplane]

Gotoh makes fantastic tuners but a nylon nut is the way to go IMO.

 

[jm55]

I think Gotoh makes great products, but I decided to go with Kluson Revolution locking for a few minor reasons. With respect to the relatively small difference in weight, I just learned I can also get metal knobs to replace the plastic ones, and this will add even more mass, if necessary. I'll A/B the two when I get the keys. Found a vendor on ebay with great feedback and a price point cheaper than any of the big retailers.

 

[MSB]

^ interesting. I have two sets of the revolutions, one plastic, one metal keystone. I just checked their site and you have to buy the metal keystones separate now? I bought mine about 2-3 years ago and you had the option.