Suhr

[scuff]

There was a discussion among a few guitar plyers i know on tuners and there effect on the sound of a guitar. Mostly that Les Pauls with Kluson tuners sounded better than Les Pauls with other tuners.
True?
How about on a strat type guitar? I see that on a Suhr there is an option on Kluson or Sperzel locking. Any difference in sound?

Thanks.

Pierre

[killerburst]

There is an argument there. Vintage machines are relatively low-mass compared to most modern types. Adding mass to the headstock definitely changes a guitar's sound. Better or worse is subjective, and probably unpredictable as to whether or not you'd like the change.

[juggernaut]

Excellent question, I was wondering about this myself. I think PRS went to low mass tuners for this reason. Killerburst, you make a good point, it is subjective.

[joe1962]

To my ear guitars with vintage tuners seem to have more overtones and guitars with heavy tuners have more of the fundamental. I've noticed this on Les Pauls that had the tuners changed and with Strats that had klusons that were changed to heavier tuners. I also put one of the upgrade kits on my 91 PRS a few years back with similar results. Others may hear it differently though. For the record I prefer the vintage style tuners for tone and the way they make the guitar balance, but I don't really have a problem with Grovers, Schallers, etc. either.

[Donnie B.]

I guess it comes down to what tone you're after. I put grovers on my les paul to improve the girth a bit with the added mass on the headstock - Page and Perry are two proponents of doing this too.