grover 406c locking mini rotmatics

[eveyprs]

Hi all i have ordered a set of grover 406c mini locking rotomatics, has anyone else put them on? did they help tunning? and how much diff does the smaller button look compared to the prs version thats on my prs se custom 24, tri burst?

regards
Dave

 

[andy474x]

Hi Dave, I put a set on my SECU24 also. They definitely help for moderate trem use. If you're going to be doing a lot of dive bombing and really rocking your trem arm, I would also recommend a nut replacement. Another thing is make sure you're using the right string gauge, they come slotted for 9's and if you try to go up, you have to have it filed for the bigger size. I think the Grover's look nice on mine, but here's a pic so you can get an idea.

 

[eveyprs]

thanks for that, they do look good on there. im not abusing the trem to the max(i am impressed how well it stays in tune now), i only use 9-42 anyway.

 

[eveyprs]

very nice cu24 by the way. i think the smaller buttons look great on there.

 

[andy474x]

Thanks Dave! I think you'll like them, they're nice tuners. Makes string changes a breeze. Post a pic if you can, I'd love to see them on your axe!

 

[eveyprs]

will do my friend

 

[eveyprs]

one quick question, did you use the new washers and nuts that came with the 406c, i have read where some people just use the origional washers and nuts?

 

[andy474x]

To be honest, I don't remember. PRS recommended the grovers to me as a direct drop in replacement, so I think what comes with them should work. But if the original washers and nuts fit the Grovers and you like them more, no harm in using them either I suppose.

 

[Boogie]

They are indeed drop-in replacements on the SE line. Have them on my SE One and they installed flawlessly and quickly. Very reliable tuner. The small buttons are actually easier to use without bumping the adjacent tuner.

 

[Eric Thomas]

Another thing is make sure you're using the right string gauge, they come slotted for 9's and if you try to go up, you have to have it filed for the bigger size.

I bought a set for my Santana SE but have not put them on yet. No way I can use 9's.... Are you sure 10's won't fit? What does it take to have them slotted for 10's?

 

[Boogie]

I bought a set for my Santana SE but have not put them on yet. No way I can use 9's.... Are you sure 10's won't fit? What does it take to have them slotted for 10's?

???
I have no idea about this. 10s work perfectly fine on mine and that's all I play on the SE One. You'll be fine.

 

[John Beef]

I bought a set for my Santana SE but have not put them on yet. No way I can use 9's.... Are you sure 10's won't fit? What does it take to have them slotted for 10's?

He was talking about the slots in the nut in that sentence, not where the strings go through the tuners.

I love locking tuners for their convenience but use the stock tuners on my Santana SE. They've been great. No tuning stability issues at all. It does take a little longer to do, but I use the Dan Erlewine method of "locking" the strings in place. See his book, How to Make Your Electric Guitar Play Great (which has a PRS on the cover, BTW).

 

[andy474x]

I bought a set for my Santana SE but have not put them on yet. No way I can use 9's.... Are you sure 10's won't fit? What does it take to have them slotted for 10's?

Sorry, I was ambiguous in my statement about the 9's. The nut is slotted for 9-42's, but the tuners will take any size string. I noticed on my SECU22 that when I moved up to 10's and would do bends, my guitar quickly went out of tune. The larger gauge strings get pinched in the narrower slots, and the tension differences from bends, trem use, etc cause the strings to slide minute amounts through the nut and then get "stuck" in a slightly different place, and then they're out of tune. It's just my experience, but it was pretty annoying. If you go to a decent shop, they'll have a set of nut files and they can file the slots for bigger strings, only takes a few minutes. Of course, you can always just try the 10's and see what happens, and get it filed later.

 

[tomS]

The Grover 406 locking mini's are great. I have them on my SE Korina Singlecut. Easy mod as they drop right in. These tuners along with the Tone Pros locking studs on the wraparound have made the guitar a joy to play. The tuning seems much more stable. The small buttons have grown on me (not literally, they are still small!). I am still using the original nut.

 

[Eric Thomas]

He was talking about the slots in the nut in that sentence, not where the strings go through the tuners.

OK, that makes more sense. I already dropped the guitar off with my tech for a new nut. I typical use 11's on the 24.5" scale length and there was no way those were going to work with the stock nut on the Santana SE. Even 10's were getting pinched and going out of tune. I'm not sure what material is used for the nut on the SE's so I decided to go with a new nut rather than have the slots widened on the stock one. Once I get it back, I'll put the Grovers on. I bought some lampshades for it too. I like those a lot better than the stock speed knobs.

 

[garrett]

Great tuners. Easily the best choice in my opinion. Keep in mind the nut is the main key to having stable tuning. Definitely worth it to have an expert make sure the slots are cut properly.

 

[eveyprs]

small buttons look great. how do they work? when you put a string on how do you get it to lock at the post?

 

[garrett]

It's a cam locking mechanism, much like the original winged PRS locking keys, except you need a nickel to unlock them if they get stuck.

Much better than cranking down on a thumb wheel like Schallers or Sperzels.

 

[Boogie]

It's a cam locking mechanism, much like the original winged PRS locking keys, except you need a nickel to unlock them if they get stuck.

Much better than cranking down on a thumb wheel like Schallers or Sperzels.

To expand a little, you just twist the tuner. That's the Grover patented system...an auto-locking cam mechanism.

 

[eveyprs]

awsome.