winged tuners

[vchizzle]

What are your thoughts on them? I had 2 issues with them back 17 years ago or so.
1) I had problems quickly changing a string(it was my only guitar, so live, it presented a problem)
2) I wanted a heavier string on the low E than the tuner would accomodate

So I changed the tuners. Recently I've been thinking of changing them back to the winged. Not sure why. Maybe to return it to stock to make it "period correct" again?

 

[László]

I liked them a lot when they came on PRSes, and never really had a problem with them. But the new ones are fine, too.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

They are one of my favorite inventions for guitar.

 

[veinbuster]

I like them. I always thought they looked kind of cool.
It is a tiny bit fussier to change a string with them than the newer ones and I could see that being frustrating if you thought you had to do the change in a rush.

 

[RickO]

I love the old winged tuners. I always thought that they were one of the things that distinguished PRS guitars from the rest.

 

[Herr Squid]

I really liked the design of the winged tuners. String changes were really fast and easy with 'em. However they seemed to have some slop to them, so as tuners I think the phase IIIs are way more smooth and precise. I would really love some Phase III winged tuners!

 

[Jester]

I love the looks of the winged tuners. Classic PRS.

I understand why they changed them though. The new ones are much more user friendly.

 

[vchizzle]

I love the looks of the winged tuners. Classic PRS.

I undeerstand why they changed them though. The new ones are much more user friendly.

Yeah, I think I will reinstall them. This guitar is now the "hang above my desk" guitar that I play at home and grab for quick access. When it was my only guitar and I had to change a string really quick in mid set, in the dark..it was tough. The new tuners are much easier in that respect. Not a factor anymore, so I'll change them back. I'll probably have to learn how to use the winged tuners all over again!

 

[John]

I like the winged tuners on my CE. Stringing is easy, the operation is smooth, they do their job so well even after being about 20 years old, and they look great. My only lament is that it doesn't take heavier string gauges too well. I use some strings past .50, but that's as high as it gets for that CE. At least I have Phase II's that work just as well on my other CE and Custom, so I use fatter strings and drop tune those instead.

 

[Mr.Fuzzwah]

Well, I have them and if anyone wants to trade for Phase II's -

 

[garrett]

I don't understand the troubles people had with the wings. Just line the sucker up, pull string taut, tune it up, and go! The Grover 406 minis that fit the SE guitars work the same way, except they use a more normal looking shaft instead of the wings. The wings were also cool because you didn't need a coin or a tool if the sting didn't want to unlock; just push the wing.

 

[Stormin]

In a gigging situation, Phase II's beat the Winged hands down for a quick, no nonsense string change. For my taste, Phase II's are some of the best tuners I've ever owned. Even though I still own a Custom 24 with Wings, I have to slow down and be more precise with my string changes.

YMMV

 

[sergiodeblanc]

YMMV

Mine does.

 

[vchizzle]

Ha, forgot I started this thread. My wings are still laying in a box somewhere. One day I'll get around to putting them back on - like when I retire or something.