Tuning Machine Backlash.

[DrNomis_44]

Some of you might have noticed me mentioning "Tuner Backlash" in some of my previous thread posts, and I thought I would explain what Tuner Backlash, or Tuning Machinehead Backlash is in this thread, so, what is Tuner Backlash?


Tuner Backlash is the amount of play in a Tuning Machinehead where the Tuner capstan doesn't rotate as you're turning the knob, what happens is this, you rotate the tuner knob to bring a string up to pitch but nothing happens till you reach a certain point, then the Tuner capstan starts rotating and increases the tension on the string, when you rotate the tuner knob in the other direction to lower the string pitch the same thing happens, this combines with any friction in the nut slots to make tuning a guitar accurately to pitch difficult, it can also make keeping the guitar in tune hard too as the string-tension either side of the nut tries to equalize, you might have noticed this on a guitar with worn out tuners that have difficulty holding pitch.


When Tuning Machinehead manufacturers design Tuners one of the goals is to reduce Tuner Backlash as much as possible to increase tuning accuracy, some designs, like the Stenberger designed Gearless Tuners eliminate Tuner Backlash by alot, I've found that the Gearless Tuners have the least amount of Tuner Backlash out of all the sets of Tuners I have ever bought.

Sometimes Tuner Backlash can be caused by excessive wear on the internal gear system, sometimes it is caused by a loose-fitting Tuner knob, sometimes it's simply caused by manufacturing defects, or poor quality manufacturing in general.


I've bought a few sets of Tuners from some well known manufacturers and brand new, right out of the box, within each set there were a few Tuners with significant Tuner Backlash, most of the sets were of the more modern sealed and permanently lubricated types.

[stan]

thanks DrN, interesting.

i guess you can have good and bad in all tuners, how how you found the stock PBG ones stack up, considering that they are pretty inexpensive?

[DrNomis_44]

thanks DrN, interesting.

i guess you can have good and bad in all tuners, how how you found the stock PBG ones stack up, considering that they are pretty inexpensive?

It's very hard for me to say how the stock PBG Tuners stack up since I'm still yet to purchase my very first PBG kit, the first kit I would like to buy is an STA-1M strat kit as a replacement for the Mexican Strat I traded for the Chibson SG, I might do an evaluation on the stock tuners when I do get around to buying the kit, should be pretty interesting, how do you feel the stock PBG Tuners stack up?, have you had any with Tuner Backlash?

[dingobass]

Tuner backlash is a very common problem indeed...
I have had peeps bring brand new top end Guitars in wondering why the buggers would not stay in tune... Guess what? Tuner backlash.....

In my experience, the only tuners I have come across that have been consistantly good are the Steinberger direct pull.. Their design makes it practically impossible for backlash to occour.

With the PBG supplied tuners, I have found some to be excellent and others average but on the whole for a budget priced tuner they are reasonable.

[keloooe]

Quick question DB, do they have any direct pull tuners for bass?

And I agree, PBG tuners are actually alright for inexpensive tuners but there are much better ones out there, I've got a gotoh set on my bass and there's little to none backlash!

[DrNomis_44]

Quick question DB, do they have any direct pull tuners for bass?

And I agree, PBG tuners are actually alright for inexpensive tuners but there are much better ones out there, I've got a gotoh set on my bass and there's little to none backlash!

Not sure, Steinberger may manufacture a Bass version of their Gearless Tuners, you could try going to the Steinberger website and check it out.

[stan]

i think stock pbg are good for what they are

[dingobass]

Quick question DB, do they have any direct pull tuners for bass?

And I agree, PBG tuners are actually alright for inexpensive tuners but there are much better ones out there, I've got a gotoh set on my bass and there's little to none backlash!

Unfortunately no... If they did I would be using them.....

[wokkaboy]

I agree with others the stock PBG tuners aren't bad, some have had less backlash but it depends on the guitar model and the nut friction and usually takes a few weeks for a neck to set in and strings stretch.

[keloooe]

Unfortunately no... If they did I would be using them.....

Aw damn, that would have been awesome!