Official Luthiers Forum!

Has anyone here used Sperzel Trim-Lok tuning machines on an acoustic guitar? Or is that heresy?

I've been noodling around with a basic design for a compact 12-string peghead. The idea is to reduce the scale of the peghead for use with a much more compact guitar than the traditional dread or jumbo. So I started looking at tuning machines that can be mounted very close together.

That lead me to the Sperzels. While these tend to be favored by electric players who are always yanking their whammy, the automatic snip and lock feature of the Sperzels would also reduce the hassle of changing 12-strings. What do you think?

Here's a concept drawing of my peghead:

_________________
D..

Hi Dennis,
personaly I don't like sperzels anymore( I believe they are 12:1). With the advent of Grover's 18:1 locking mini's as well as their 18:1 full size. I just don't use them anymore. Also, I can't remember the manufacturer at the moment but there is someone notable making a 21:1 gear. Some people say "big deal" But for me , I can really feel the difference. I do a lot of Buzz Feiten Retro's So I am using my strobe tunner alot and I can actualy "tune in/up" easier with the high gear tunners. My two-cents for what it is worth.

_________________
Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"