Grover Locking Tuners
My Epiphone Les Paul Tribute Plus came with Grover locking Rotomatic tuners. These tuners work phenomenally well. They stay perfectly in tune no matter how much I bend and beat on the strings- and adjustments are smooth and accurate.
These Rotomatics are different from typical locking tuners, like the Sperzel’s or Grover’s own Roto-Grips, where you lock and unlock the string using a thumbscrew around back.
On the Rotomatics, you just insert the string, and give it a wind, and an inner-cam rotates, locking the string into place under the string’s own tension. I always feel a little uncertain when changing strings on these because the process is a bit different from other tuners. Here are the instructions from Grover:
1. Turn tip of string post until it clicks into place. This aligns string post holes.
2. Note string hole is off center. Turn knob to rotate post until string hole is positioned away from knob. Thread string up through bottom of hole and pull firmly. See drawing.
3. Turn to begin tuning. At first, only inner “Locking Cam” is turning, securely locking the string. Once the string is locked, outer post will turn.
4. Bring string to pitch.
March 17, 2013 @ 10:56 pm
Good article. I’ve got an Epi Dot, 1999 Korean model, and the tuners are really bad; so, I’m looking at replacing them. However, I would like to replace them with exact, but better, copies, so as not to have any unused holes in the headstock. Any suggestions?
Also, I ordered, and received an Epi Emperor Swingster Royale, in black. The 2nd day of owning it, I spent taking it back to UPS. It seems the wiring was all but useless. It was either intermittent, or it didn’t work at all. ( Yes, I tried several cables and 3 different amps). It’s disappointing; but, there’s no Epi dealer, nearby, and I really liked what I saw and have read about this guitar. Anyway, it, too, has Grover’s and I’m anxious to get a feel for them. Initial opinion of the guitar, except for the electronics, was that it is a well made guitar, felt great in my hands and the finish was excellent. I’ve heard that some don’t like the “gold dust” appearence on the white model; but, the black gives it a smokey appearence. Like it was covered with dust……but, in a good way.. Anyway, as always, I enjoy the articles and videos and look forward to hearing from you. Jim
March 20, 2013 @ 2:59 pm
I don’t know what exact tuners are on that 99 Epi Dot. Your best approach would be to remove one tuner, and measure spacing, hole-diameter, etc with calipers.
Then compare these with the manufacturer specs of the new tuners you’re considering. E.g. here’s the specs for the Grover rotomatics I described in this article:
https://www.grotro.com/media/ticc/products/2012/6/1/106.jpg
Stewmac should give similar specs for each of the tuners that they sell: http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tuners/Guitar,_solid_peghead_tuners.html
Sorry to hear about the Swingster! Yes, Epi build quality can be a little bit hit/miss, unfortunately.
-John
March 22, 2013 @ 3:46 pm
I got a set of these tuners the day before you posted this, but just installed them yesterday. These things are fantastic! They make string changes a breeze. This is also the first high ratio tuner I have used, and tuning is much smoother as well.
Have you tried any other locking tuners, and how did they compare?
March 22, 2013 @ 3:53 pm
I’ve also used Sperzels, on my G&L, which are comparable to the Grovers in quality and tuning stability. The Grover’s self-locking action is pretty nice. I often find the rear thumb screw rattling loose on my low E Sperzel.
John
May 2, 2013 @ 8:20 am
Essentially the same design as the Gotoh Magna-lok, which has been around for 20+ years. They must have licensed the technology or the patent ran out. Hard to believe that anyone can compete with Gotoh’s manufacturing quality, though. I guess I’ll buy a set of the Grovers and compare them. Bet they’re heavier.
Maybe the next Gotoh patent that gets into the public is the locking bridge post, it has a set screw running through the center of it, you tighten the screw against the bottom of the threaded insert and that post will not vibrate or move after that.
May 2, 2013 @ 10:13 am
Hi Tim,
You’re right- the Grovers do appear to be functionally similar to the Gotoh Magnum-Lock:
http://www.g-gotoh.com/international/?btp_work=whats-magnum-lock
but the mechanical design appears to be different:
– On the Gotohs, the string appears to go straight through the center, while the Grover’s entry/exit holes are offset from center at an angle.
– The Magnum-Lock’s have different sized holes for the low vs high strings, which I don’t think the Grovers have.
– The Grovers appear to project up above the headstock more like regular tuners, while the Gotohs only sit slightly above the surface of the headstock (when locked). According to the drawings I found, the Gotoh shafts are between 18.5mm (short) and 21.5mm (extra-long) while the Grover shafts are 32.5mm. In this regard, the Gotohs seem superior as the greater string break-angle over the nut is more like it would be with a traditional tuner with many downward string wraps.
Either way, it’s a great design!
My Gotoh 1511 TOM bridge doesn’t have locking bridge posts, but my Wilkinson roller does.
-John
May 2, 2013 @ 12:09 pm
I’ll have to try those next. I’ve always been happy with the quality of the Gotoh stuff, though I have no complaints about these Grovers.
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[…] plus ??? You don't tighten anything like on your gibson tuners, its automatic. See this. Grover Locking Tuners – Planet Z __________________ 2003 Epiphone MIJ Les Paul Elite – Faded Cherry Burst 2004 Epiphone MIJ […]
February 18, 2014 @ 8:03 am
Thanks for this little instuctional. I just got an Epiphone Les Paul Tribute and I couldn’t initially figure out how to use these locking tuners. Now that you enlightned me I must say I am very impressed with them. They work well and are much faster and easier to use than other locking tuners I have tried. I was confused about the Epiphone strap locks at first also. I generally use Schaller strap locks on all my guitars and these Epi ones didn’t make sense until I found a YouTube video explaining how you have to pull down on them once they are in place. I love the Les Paul Tribute and your recview was one that helped me decide to buy it so thanks again.
February 18, 2014 @ 8:40 am
Congrats on your LP Tribute- it’s an excellent guitar.
Yeah, those Grovers are great tuners.
I ended up replacing the Epi strap locks with Dunlop Straplok’s, which feel very secure to me.
-John
July 4, 2014 @ 9:25 am
I also love my new Tribute Plus and it’s locking tuners… Except that when I moved to the super light strings I love so much the high E is constantly breaking at the tuner shaft. It’s an 8.
This is disappointing as I love the sound and feel of these strings.
Every guitar has its own needs and personality. I still love my Epi Les Paul 🙂
P.S. I bought the cherry burst. Im kind of wishing I’d gotten the darker burst.
July 17, 2014 @ 8:13 am
I’ve never tried 8’s. You could try contacting Grover to inquire: https://www.grotro.com/contact.aspx
-John
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