Graph tech ratios are the best. The quality is good but that's not what makes them best..... it's the individual ratios for each tunes that makes them superior to all others. The half step equals a half a turn is golden.
Absolutely true. I used to use Schaller and Grover tuners along with Babicz bridges on builds for customers until I bought a Hipshot Kickass Bass Bridge. I was so impressed by it I bought an A Style Bass Bridge. Again, super impressed and decided to give the tuners a shot (punny). I was taking a chance because I was a die-hard Grover guy and set in my ways. I threw the dice and crossed my fingers with a set of open-back locking tuners. It didn't take long to realize I was a fool....was. Not any more. I'll never go back. Now everything I own myself and and build for others are wearing Hipshots. Then I put X-tenders on all mine. At request on customers. The sun became a little brighter. The air a little sweeter. I gained an inch in height. My hair stopped falling out. It was a new world. Grover who? I'll never go back. And @13:42 is exactly what I've done on all mine and customer "special" guits. The plates are just as rock-solid reliable as traditional mounting. Did I mention I'll never go back?
on any strat I own, I always delete one tone control and add a mini toggle switch that turns on the neck p/up giving me seven sounds instead of five. the two extra sounds make a big difference.
Holy Cow, I discovered Hipshot tuners a few years ago and have used them on all my partscaster builds since then. I was excited to see your affirmation that they are really as good as I thought. The other thing I was excited to see is that you make the same mod with the volume control as I do. Man, it's like you read my mind!!! Could we be brothers from a different mother ? Nah, probably not, but we do think alike.
I have a red tortoise pg on a yellow Tele. Happened when one day I realized I had all the junk parts laying around to build it. It was either that or a Union Jack pg. 😁
The advantage of odd looking colors is that it can be easier to identify in case if it gets stolen and it may possibly deter guitar thieves if the guitar looks too distinctive
I love the open-gear locking Hipshot tuners! Have you used the Baby Grand bridge on any builds? I’ve seen several videos of them as replacements, but not on a new guitar.
I like that strat. I put a tortoise shell guard on a surf green hardtail (Hipshot) strat build, and I love it. And, yes, it has Hipshot open locking tuners.
Thanks Matt. Hipshot definitely makes good stuff. I find their tuners to be available at very reasonable prices(for the quality) on the retail market. Tougher to find good deals on their bridges. For us schlubs that don't get manufacturers prices anyway!
Hi Scott There are certainly deals to be had. We have even been known to get products for people who are interested in buying several if you ever get in a pinch.
I pretty much agree with everything you said in this video, but I would point out that the Fender Strat Plus came with Schaller locking tuners. I'm not saying you haven't seen one with Sperzels on it, because someone could have swapped them.
If you don’t have enough play in the strings for alternate tunings with locking tuners, just put a couple of wraps around the post like non locking tuners and you should be good. I have Sperzels on an old Carvin strat and I dislike them, thanks for the video, I might swap for Hipshot.
hipshot hardware is the best indeed, replaced my baritone tune-o-matic and locking tunners and my ephyphone acoustic locking tunners, incredible quality and stability
I LOVE removing that volume knob on the strat! It's my biggest complaint about playing any strat, that you constantly are turning the volume down. I've "dreamed" what you just showed me. Going to do it!
How do locking tuners drive the shoe for alternative tunings? Unless you have the really short ones you can put wraps on the peg even if you don't have to. I cannot think of a tuning change that would need more than half a wrap. Those open gear look nice.
Thanks my friend The idea with locking tuners is to have no more than one wrap. It is possible to have so little string to adjust that you go from running down to tuning back up again I just didn't want to deal with it. If you are careful you won't have that same issue and you can use locking tuners... Oh the other thing was I only had non locking in inventory
You said you switched because you use open and drop tunings, how do the locking tuners interfere with changing the tuning? I don't fully understand this. I can grab any guitar with locking tuners and tune it any which way I like.
The NUT is the thing to obsess over . Saddles and nut . Very few slipping tuners in the world and extremly rare even with the cheapest of tuners. Love the hipshot detuner on a bass.
Instead of drilling halfway on each side, I have reamed holes by running the drill in reverse. Is this not recommended? It has worked just fine on several guitars.
I will always put locking tuners on any guitar without them. I almost always use Hipshot. I think they're the best quality for the money out there. The only time I don't use Hipshot is on the very high-end guitars when I use Graph Tech Ratio tuners. I thing Ratios are the best out there, but their cost over Hipshot doesn't make them *that* much better.
I have never used Hipshot tuners. Are Hipshot tuners as good as Grovers? I have been playing guitar for 27 years, and so far I like Grovers the best because they smoothly raise and lower the pitch. I will try out hipshot tuners on the next guitar I build. My personal opinion is Gotoh tuners are over rated. The last set of Gotoh tuners I got were pretty dang good though. Thanks for the cool and informative videos.
They’re high quality but you may not notice the difference or anything drastic from other high end brands like Schaller, Sperzel, etc…I do like the fact they are made in or at least assembled in upstate New York which is kind of a unique location
Be aware that there are "licensed" or other versions of all 3 of these brands. I really like the licensed/import stuff Reverend puts on their guitars. Hipshot and Grover originals are USA, Gotoh is Japan. 😅
@@tiki_trash I happened upon a highly figured/striped slab of Swamp Ash wide and thick enough for a one piece body. Anything other than a Mary Kaye finish would be a crime.
I’m 72 years old and started playing at 9. I’ve had dozens of guitars and have made 15 guitars from lumber. When it comes to parts I’ve tried them all. I wasn’t happy with the Gotoh tuners on my guitar. So I did a search on the net and landed on Hipshot. They were half the price of Schaller so I thought I’d give them a try. The installation was a piece of cake. There are no better tuners. Period. I’m not big on their bridges.
I started using Hipshot tuners about 15 years ago, I've had about ten sets on partscasters and Gibsons. I'm about to go with all Gotoh and Grover because the machining and smoothness of operation seems to be suffering. If you think I'm an asshole because of that, I don't really care.
Sir, if all you got from this video was that I am calling people I don't know names than it is possible you are looking for problems that aren't there. I think I remember saying that there are lots of companies making good tuners. I'm glad you found something you like. Enjoy.
I cannot say anything other than a Bridge I put on a Bass guitar I upgraded. I put a Hipshot 4 bridge on it with brass saddles and that Bass is bad ass and roars!
trust me brother, if i could afford it i would. i would have hishot everything. im poor i buy the chinese bootleg hipshot stuff on aliexpress and end up having to modify it
The plate is for when you don’t want to drill holes, perfect for vintage guitars. If you don’t want to use the plate there are screws that you can drill for and install
@@TexasToastGuitars i just called hipshot, they said the locking tuners should drop right in however, i went to the website and the locking tuners are not lighter. the classic open back tuners are the lightest one's. and if i an not mistaken, that is the tuner being used on the challenger? if so, these are the lightest tuners they have a available. they sure work good.
Oh yes....even my bullet and affinities have hipshot tuners....no point in putting slightly better crap and in the end waste money and effort with so so results....put the best and enjoy....for me its hipshot tuners,stainless steel jescar frets and dimarzio or kinman pickups when it comes to strats...
You are right, I did just kind of take that for granted. I like them for the ease of installation, customizability and tuning stability. I also like the looks and options as well as the ability to work on older more valuable guitars without the need to drill more holes. I guess that is true for new guitars you don't want to modify
I play in several alternate tunings. I don't like locking tuners or floating trems. 6 screw trems decked to the body on my Strats is the way to go for me and lots of winds on the posts.
Yeah, but those plates are gonna rob you of tone man 😂🤣😂 In all serisousness, Hipshot make great stuff and their customer service is top notch (I'm not affiliated with them in any way, just a happy customer).
I've been utterly disgusted with Schaller who charge more and give you products with screws and bolts so soft they might have been bought from TEMU. Hipshot tuners are the best. I just installed a Hipshot piano bridge and the process and results blow me away. I've done like 8 or 9 Hipshot bass bridges. Better tone. Better sustain. every model.
@@TexasToastGuitars It's all I've ever known. But yeah, I put hipshot tuners on all my stuff as well. Solid made and affordable. What more can you ask for?
I like hipshot tuners. They're just way over priced. If they were 50$ I'd buy them all day. That 2 point trem they make with the little pin in it is the worst trem ever made. Can't believe I spent 120$ on that POS. Naturally, since hipshot sent you free tuners everyone is an A-hole that doesn't agree with you, which make you the A-hole. I put those 30$ Guyker locking tuners on my last les paul build, they work great and stay in tune. No need to waste money in this day n age.
I like how you think I get anything free. Actually... I pay for almost everything I use and if I ever get a free product I ALWAYS make a point of saying so. Anyone accusing me of doing otherwise says a lot about themselves.
I’ve put Graphtech Ratio Tuners on every guitar that I own. They’re my go to.
I use Hipshot locking tuners on my acoustic guitar but these days, I’m using Graphtech Ratio tuners on my recent electric guitar
They seem well made too
Graph tech ratios are the best.
The quality is good but that's not what makes them best..... it's the individual ratios for each tunes that makes them superior to all others.
The half step equals a half a turn is golden.
Absolutely true. I used to use Schaller and Grover tuners along with Babicz bridges on builds for customers until I bought a Hipshot Kickass Bass Bridge. I was so impressed by it I bought an A Style Bass Bridge. Again, super impressed and decided to give the tuners a shot (punny). I was taking a chance because I was a die-hard Grover guy and set in my ways.
I threw the dice and crossed my fingers with a set of open-back locking tuners. It didn't take long to realize I was a fool....was. Not any more. I'll never go back. Now everything I own myself and and build for others are wearing Hipshots. Then I put X-tenders on all mine. At request on customers.
The sun became a little brighter. The air a little sweeter. I gained an inch in height. My hair stopped falling out. It was a new world. Grover who? I'll never go back.
And @13:42 is exactly what I've done on all mine and customer "special" guits. The plates are just as rock-solid reliable as traditional mounting.
Did I mention I'll never go back?
on any strat I own, I always delete one tone control and add a mini toggle switch that turns on the neck p/up giving me seven sounds instead of five. the two extra sounds make a big difference.
I like that idea
I always replace one tone with a blender using a no-load pot.
Awesome.
Absolutely love my Hipshot hard tail bridges. The absolute best.
You know that's right
Holy Cow, I discovered Hipshot tuners a few years ago and have used them on all my partscaster builds since then. I was excited to see your affirmation that they are really as good as I thought. The other thing I was excited to see is that you make the same mod with the volume control as I do. Man, it's like you read my mind!!! Could we be brothers from a different mother ? Nah, probably not, but we do think alike.
I too have a surf green strat with a tort pickguard. It is like a dodge truck. People either love it or hate it. I love it.
I have a red tortoise pg on a yellow Tele. Happened when one day I realized I had all the junk parts laying around to build it. It was either that or a Union Jack pg. 😁
The advantage of odd looking colors is that it can be easier to identify in case if it gets stolen and it may possibly deter guitar thieves if the guitar looks too distinctive
Some people like pineapple on pizza.
@@tiki_trash Yeah, but having an ugly guitar isn't a crime against humanity.
@@nucleargrizzly1776 Are you saying pineapple on pizza is a crime against humanity? 🤣
I got into Hipshot tuners because of your channel. Not only do they make an excellent product, but their customer service is top notch too!
💯
Hipshot is a great company to work with for sure
Try Graph Tech Ratio tuners. Perfect.
I have tried them and I am glad you like them
I love the open-gear locking Hipshot tuners! Have you used the Baby Grand bridge on any builds? I’ve seen several videos of them as replacements, but not on a new guitar.
I like that strat. I put a tortoise shell guard on a surf green hardtail (Hipshot) strat build, and I love it. And, yes, it has Hipshot open locking tuners.
That's the good stuff kids go for amigo. I think the locking tuners are super cool
Hipshot is all I care to use on my builds. Great stuff. It's what my customers get unless they demand something else.
I like your style
Thanks Matt. Hipshot definitely makes good stuff. I find their tuners to be available at very reasonable prices(for the quality) on the retail market. Tougher to find good deals on their bridges. For us schlubs that don't get manufacturers prices anyway!
Hi Scott
There are certainly deals to be had. We have even been known to get products for people who are interested in buying several if you ever get in a pinch.
I pretty much agree with everything you said in this video, but I would point out that the Fender Strat Plus came with Schaller locking tuners. I'm not saying you haven't seen one with Sperzels on it, because someone could have swapped them.
Well... It was more than 30 years ago when I saw them. I guess I was wrong.
If you don’t have enough play in the strings for alternate tunings with locking tuners, just put a couple of wraps around the post like non locking tuners and you should be good. I have Sperzels on an old Carvin strat and I dislike them, thanks for the video, I might swap for Hipshot.
Love hipshot tuners, been using them on my nicer builds these past few years and they’ve never let me down.
They are the good stuff my friend
hipshot hardware is the best indeed, replaced my baritone tune-o-matic and locking tunners and my ephyphone acoustic locking tunners, incredible quality and stability
I LOVE removing that volume knob on the strat! It's my biggest complaint about playing any strat, that you constantly are turning the volume down. I've "dreamed" what you just showed me. Going to do it!
You should do it my friend, I hope you like it
Love all Hipshot Saggard locking tuners and Bridges! Put them on all my guitars; exclusively!
How do locking tuners drive the shoe for alternative tunings? Unless you have the really short ones you can put wraps on the peg even if you don't have to. I cannot think of a tuning change that would need more than half a wrap.
Those open gear look nice.
Thanks my friend
The idea with locking tuners is to have no more than one wrap.
It is possible to have so little string to adjust that you go from running down to tuning back up again
I just didn't want to deal with it. If you are careful you won't have that same issue and you can use locking tuners... Oh the other thing was I only had non locking in inventory
Is the only kind I’ve ever used because I’ve been listening to you since I started, and know enough to always take your advice
Hahaha thanks my friend I appreciate that
You said you switched because you use open and drop tunings, how do the locking tuners interfere with changing the tuning? I don't fully understand this. I can grab any guitar with locking tuners and tune it any which way I like.
I wish they made staggered tuners though, I don't like string trees
The posts are pretty short on these. You could probably skip a string tree.
Hipshot absolutely makes staggered tuners. I just didn't have any when I made this video
@@TexasToastGuitars Awesome thank! ordered a set 👍
I also use Hipshot hardware on everything I can. Also I love tort pick guards on most any color body.
Do you prefer staggered or non staggered tuners?
Dear god, that is a fucking SLAB of rosewood for the fretboard. Nice!
The NUT is the thing to obsess over . Saddles and nut . Very few slipping tuners in the world and extremly rare even with the cheapest of tuners. Love the hipshot detuner on a bass.
yep
So… I’m weary of the hip shot trem now! I have a Vega Trem and love it. Very interested in the Super Vee as well
I love the color combo. I'm a tort and pearl white pick guard guy.
I agree, Hip Shot makes great stuff. You probably could have told this story in five minutes though. Maybe so more info on other Hip Shop products.
I love how you come in to these videos "pre-mad" haha. I think your strat is unique and cool!
I get mad earlier and earlier
What neck plate would you recommend for a Warmoth strat build?
Ya know you've got quality, when you have HipShot anything on your guitar !! Thanks for the video. Matt !!
You bet Mike
Instead of drilling halfway on each side, I have reamed holes by running the drill in reverse. Is this not recommended? It has worked just fine on several guitars.
Sure man you should use what you like
Thanks for another great video Matt! Been looking to change the tuners on my Eastman T386 and I think these are the ones.
Hi Mike
I know you will be happy with them, give them a try
I will always put locking tuners on any guitar without them. I almost always use Hipshot. I think they're the best quality for the money out there. The only time I don't use Hipshot is on the very high-end guitars when I use Graph Tech Ratio tuners. I thing Ratios are the best out there, but their cost over Hipshot doesn't make them *that* much better.
We use the Hipshot locking tuners more often than not.
We did give the ratio tuners a try a few times and they seem very well made
Matt, thank you for sharing. I have an esquire that's green and I need to upgrade the tuners. I will be getting a set of Hipshot tuners for it.
You won't be disappointed my friend
I have never used Hipshot tuners. Are Hipshot tuners as good as Grovers? I have been playing guitar for 27 years, and so far I like Grovers the best because they smoothly raise and lower the pitch. I will try out hipshot tuners on the next guitar I build. My personal opinion is Gotoh tuners are over rated. The last set of Gotoh tuners I got were pretty dang good though. Thanks for the cool and informative videos.
They’re high quality but you may not notice the difference or anything drastic from other high end brands like Schaller, Sperzel, etc…I do like the fact they are made in or at least assembled in upstate New York which is kind of a unique location
Be aware that there are "licensed" or other versions of all 3 of these brands. I really like the licensed/import stuff Reverend puts on their guitars. Hipshot and Grover originals are USA, Gotoh is Japan. 😅
I notice a HUGE difference between Hipshot and Grover
Replace the volume grommet with a kill switch ?
I agree that Strat looks cool with the tort pickguard on sea foam green.
Thanks my friend
Hey Matt I think that color combo is freakin awsome!
Thanks John
Immediately buying everything hipshot.. 😂
Hipshot ultralite bass tuners are great...they're reliable, light weight, and even reversible
Open backs might look cool on my current Mary Kaye Stratish build.
Hmm...
Ooh, Mary Kaye is classy.
@@tiki_trash I happened upon a highly figured/striped slab of Swamp Ash wide and thick enough for a one piece body. Anything other than a Mary Kaye finish would be a crime.
I know you will make the right decision and be super stoked with your choice my friend
That must be a really old Warmoth neck. Did it come with the logo, or did you put that on?
I put it on there
Yeah it's pretty old
I’m 72 years old and started playing at 9. I’ve had dozens of guitars and have made 15 guitars from lumber. When it comes to parts I’ve tried them all.
I wasn’t happy with the Gotoh tuners on my guitar. So I did a search on the net and landed on Hipshot. They were half the price of Schaller so I thought I’d give them a try.
The installation was a piece of cake. There are no better tuners. Period.
I’m not big on their bridges.
I exclusively use schaller. I think they are the best. To each their own I suppose.
Yeah man, you do you
I started using Hipshot tuners about 15 years ago, I've had about ten sets on partscasters and Gibsons. I'm about to go with all Gotoh and Grover because the machining and smoothness of operation seems to be suffering. If you think I'm an asshole because of that, I don't really care.
Sir, if all you got from this video was that I am calling people I don't know names than it is possible you are looking for problems that aren't there.
I think I remember saying that there are lots of companies making good tuners.
I'm glad you found something you like. Enjoy.
Would you say the same for bass guitar builds??
I cannot say anything other than a Bridge I put on a Bass guitar I upgraded. I put a Hipshot 4 bridge on it with brass saddles and that Bass is bad ass and roars!
I use Hipshot stuff for guitar and bass, it won't let you down
trust me brother, if i could afford it i would. i would have hishot everything. im poor i buy the chinese bootleg hipshot stuff on aliexpress and end up having to modify it
nah, that seafoam slab is sweet,I would own it
My next build I am using these tuners. ✌️
You won't be disappointed my friend
Will the locking tuner's fit direct without putting that plate on?
The plate is for when you don’t want to drill holes, perfect for vintage guitars. If you don’t want to use the plate there are screws that you can drill for and install
@@snow-so3qn I just want to replace the open gear with the locking twitters.
So I should fit with no modifications?
Probably not
I mean... You might get lucky but I don't think they would match
@@TexasToastGuitars i just called hipshot, they said the locking tuners should drop right in however, i went to the website and the locking tuners are not lighter.
the classic open back tuners are the lightest one's. and if i an not mistaken, that is the tuner being used on the challenger? if so, these are the lightest tuners they have a available. they sure work good.
So you dont have to see the holes,instead you now have to see a metal plate..i guess thats better..idk
Were the sperzels broken?
no
I use them on my builds exclusively.
Oh yes....even my bullet and affinities have hipshot tuners....no point in putting slightly better crap and in the end waste money and effort with so so results....put the best and enjoy....for me its hipshot tuners,stainless steel jescar frets and dimarzio or kinman pickups when it comes to strats...
Sperzel, Schaller, Hip Shot they are all good
You never said what makes Hip Shot so much better.
You are right, I did just kind of take that for granted. I like them for the ease of installation, customizability and tuning stability. I also like the looks and options as well as the ability to work on older more valuable guitars without the need to drill more holes. I guess that is true for new guitars you don't want to modify
The only reason to use Hipshot hardware on everything would be if Gotoh went out of business.
yep
I play in several alternate tunings. I don't like locking tuners or floating trems. 6 screw trems decked to the body on my Strats is the way to go for me and lots of winds on the posts.
I feel that my friend
Yeah, but those plates are gonna rob you of tone man 😂🤣😂 In all serisousness, Hipshot make great stuff and their customer service is top notch (I'm not affiliated with them in any way, just a happy customer).
HIPSHOT makes quality hardware. Just look at it. Nice guitar. Picture it with a maple neck.
That would be cool too. But I'm kinda over making Strats these days
I've been utterly disgusted with Schaller who charge more and give you products with screws and bolts so soft they might have been bought from TEMU. Hipshot tuners are the best. I just installed a Hipshot piano bridge and the process and results blow me away. I've done like 8 or 9 Hipshot bass bridges. Better tone. Better sustain. every model.
Hipshot is awesome. But I still choose to be an asshole my whole life.
You got to live how you want to live
@@TexasToastGuitars It's all I've ever known. But yeah, I put hipshot tuners on all my stuff as well. Solid made and affordable. What more can you ask for?
Probably a good video and a good point
Lost me after your tirade at the beginning of the video
Grow up
You are right
Yeah Hipshot sucks man!
Just kidding! I have a set of tuners on 1 guitar I built and a Hipshot bridge on a Bass I built. Good stuff!
Everyone is a comedian but only people from Canada are Canadian?
@@TexasToastGuitars 😂😂
I like hipshot tuners. They're just way over priced. If they were 50$ I'd buy them all day. That 2 point trem they make with the little pin in it is the worst trem ever made. Can't believe I spent 120$ on that POS. Naturally, since hipshot sent you free tuners everyone is an A-hole that doesn't agree with you, which make you the A-hole. I put those 30$ Guyker locking tuners on my last les paul build, they work great and stay in tune. No need to waste money in this day n age.
I like how you think I get anything free.
Actually... I pay for almost everything I use and if I ever get a free product I ALWAYS make a point of saying so.
Anyone accusing me of doing otherwise says a lot about themselves.
I also like your ugly Strat 😆
Cool man, I like it too