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FDP Forum / Fender Guitars: Stratocasters / the little single slot screw on top of a Schaller/Fender locking tuner

otisian

vancouver

One guitar Otis (but it has 10 settings)
May 26th, 2012 05:46 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
if anyone has a dlx...they will notice a slot screw at the top of the tuning head...if loosened the tuning head seems to have more give...when tightened it has little to none (slack/lag)...my question is...how tight should it be and does it change the tuning ratio or is it just there to ensure there is no unwanted turning of the tuning head when bending etc....i.e. keeping it tight...i don't want to break anything...but am wondering with a precision driver, should all of the 6 of them be at least finger tight...if ya know what i mean?...thus resulting in immediate (no lag) tuning adjustment...or should there be a bit of "lag".

I know not all tuners have this small slotted screw but for those of you that do have them or have am dlx's please reply...thanks

p.s. i don't want to end up stripping any gears!...also i posted it here as it is on my am dlx strat.
(This message was last edited by otisian at 05:48 PM, May 26th, 2012)

RicOkc

Nicoma Park, OK.

"Let the music do the talking"
May 26th, 2012 10:08 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
I tighten mine to where it takes all the looseness out of it.

Peegoo
Contributing Member
**********
**********

That chicken

is WRONG, baby.
May 27th, 2012 11:35 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
This little screw (and others like it that are at the end of many better-quality tuner buttons) is what you use to adjust the "lash" (tension) in the gears.

Although it doesn't work exactly like this--think of it as akin to pressing two gear wheels together really hard. The more they are pressed together, the less play there will be between them. The tighter the screw, the tighter the tension.

Although it appears at first that maximum tension is best, but there's a drawback: too much tension, and it will prematurely wear out gear teeth AND the pinion/axle bearing area.

What this means is you need to find a happy medium between too tight and too loose. Here's a good way to adjust them:

The knob should feel just a little stiff when you rotate it, and any rotation of the knob should result in an immediate response (rotation) of the tuner's string post when there's no string tension on it.

If you detune a string, and then rotate it in the opposite direction with no change in string pitch within the first 1/8th turn of the knob's rotation, the tuner's gear lash screw is either too loose, or the tuner is defective.

If any tuner makes audible crackling sounds, or feeds back a crackling feeling through the knob as you turn it, the tuner's gear lash is too tight, or the tuner is damaged and should be replaced.

If you want to lubricate guitar tuners, do not use a thin oil (like 3-In-One). Even if you use the smallest possible amount, this stuff creeps along metal surfaces and *will* get into the wood. This softens the wood and breaks it down. It's better to use a grease, such as Vaseline or white lithium grease.

My preference is gun oil (Hoppe's Synthetic). The reason is most gun oils are safe for use on wood because they are used in rifle actions surrounded by wood stocks. Read the label before you buy, to make sure the oil is "wood safe." Why more guitar techs aren't already all over this is puzzling to me. NOTE: like any other "goo" in proximity to vintage nitrocellulose finishes--you never know how a nitro finish will react to it. Better to be safe than sorry. I use Chapstik on tuner gears installed on nitro-finished necks.

Probably more info than you bargained for, but there ya go =o)
(This message was last edited by Peegoo at 11:39 AM, May 27th, 2012)

otisian

vancouver

One guitar Otis (but it has 10 settings)
May 27th, 2012 01:37 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
no thanks a lot...what i do is tighten them with my small driver but without using any force...if there is no slack when turning them i leave if there is i gently tighten a bit more...never until it takes effort to tune....so i guess i'm doing it correctly setting it up so it responses immediately if you know what i mean.

otisian

vancouver

One guitar Otis (but it has 10 settings)
May 27th, 2012 01:43 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
p.s. i do this when tuned to pitch btw...is that still o.k.? i'm certainly not going crazy tight just making it so it responds and isn't loose and taking a small turn to engage the string/change pitch

rfrakes331K
Contributing Member
*

IL USA

RonHalen Jokingly He Says
May 27th, 2012 01:49 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
Ya never know when this info might come into play in an emergenc. And why I read stuff like this. Thanks Peegoo. To all hopefully who have good memories for Memorial Day!

Peegoo
Contributing Member
**********
**********

That chicken

is WRONG, baby.
May 27th, 2012 05:25 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
You can adjust them under string tension or with no string on 'em. Sounds like you're doing it the proper way.

The way to do it is hold the tuner knob stationary and rotate the screw.

dmoulton

canada

May 27th, 2012 08:21 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
In the old typewriter world, they gave us numbers for adjustments, but generally it comes down to "minimum play without binding".

David

otisian

vancouver

One guitar Otis (but it has 10 settings)
May 28th, 2012 01:24 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
that's what i do, (under standard tuning tension), hold the tuner in place and screw it until it is snug tight not super tight and responses immediately.

otisian

vancouver

One guitar Otis (but it has 10 settings)
May 28th, 2012 01:25 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
btw vintage strats and les pauls have sealed/solid tuning heads...what happens when/if they need tightening/adjustment????

Peegoo
Contributing Member
**********
**********

That chicken

is WRONG, baby.
May 28th, 2012 04:44 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
On some of the non-adjustable ones, you can replace the pinion gear (the little round brass or bronze gear on the tuner post).

Another way is to snug things up by pinching with a plier.

Otherwise--you simply replace them.

FDP Forum / Fender Guitars: Stratocasters / the little single slot screw on top of a Schaller/Fender locking tuner

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