Review : Graph Tech Ratio Tuners

Hi folks. This time I want to give you a review of my new favourite tuning machines.

When it comes to tuning machines for guitars and basses there is an incredibly wide range of options. We may know the classic brands of Kluson, Grover, Wilkinson and Schaller. For many years, these brands have been factory installed on guitars from a wide range of makers.

What you may not know, is that a lot of “branded” tuning machines are not actually made by the brand that is marked on them. Most major makers have outsourced the manufacture of tuning machines in order to reduce the cost to the maker and to win supplier contracts with guitar makers. So you may get an instrument with Grover tuners, but they will be Grovers in name only. Even tuners branded by the guitar maker may be built by another company and just labeled with the guitar maker’s name. It is what it is, but you may find yourself with a “name brand” set of tuning machines, that slip, that have a lot of lash and that are very inconsistent.

While lots of folks play out of tune and don’t care, I am going to assume that if you are here, being in tune matters. I’m also going to assume that you change your strings on some level of frequency appropriate to your usage, or at least once a year and more often if you use uncoated strings. If you want to know more about coated strings and why you should consider them, read my article on the subject here.

Locking vs Non-Locking Tuners

The simple reason why locking tuners make the most sense is the speed that they allow for string changes and the tuning stability that they bring. We all know the standard route. Run the string through the hole in the tuner, leaving enough slack for at least three winds on the post, then using two hands, hold the string down at the nut while the winding so the winds move up the peg not on top of each other, making sure that the other end of the string stays in place so a bridge pin doesn’t pop out and keeping the string in the proper slot in the saddle. And wind the string on. Which requires three hands to do efficiently.

With locking tuners it is different. Pull the string through the hole in the tuning machine until it is tight with your hand. With your other hand, lock the string in place. After confirming that all is set properly in the nut and the bridge saddle, tune the string. That’s it.

If locking tuners are so darn easy why doesn’t every guitar or bass come with them? Simple reason. Cost. A set of quality locking tuners costs more than the cheap offshore junk that gets delivered on so many guitars. An upgrade to locking tuners is very simple to do, and most players can do this at home in under twenty minutes.

Ratio Tuners

The Graph Tech Ratio tuners take things a step further. We all understand that a thicker string may need more stretching and fewer winds to reach tune. In order to minimize the number of turns of the tuning machine key, the Graph Tech Ratio tuners use different gearing ratios for each string. The tuning machines are numbered to make installation easy. By using different ratio gearing, tuning is faster, smoother and more precise. Many players have expressed frustration that today’s precision digital tuners from the inexpensive Sparks to the top line Petersens are regularly telling you that the tuning is not as precise as you may like it. Proper string stretching is imperative on every string change, but generic ratios may make too much of a change or too little of a change depending on the string diameter in use. Ratio tuners address this kind of problem.

Does It Matter?

Only you can determine if ratio tuners are right for your instrument. There are many things that impact tuning stability, with friction being number one and an improperly set up vibrato as number two in the general list. At the minimum, you will find locking tuners a huge improvement, with ratio locking tuners even better. You can get ratio tuners that do not lock, but I really cannot see the point.

What About Shapes and Colours?

The Graph Tech Ratio tuners have buttons in three styles and four finishes. The finishes are chrome, nickel, gold and black. The button styles are standard sized buttons as on most guitars, small buttons for when the tuners are in a tight arrangement, as one might find on a Telecaster or Stratocaster style headstock, and flowerpot style similar to the old design Kluson buttons. As of this writing, I am not aware of locking ratio tuners for slotted headstock instruments.

What About Fitment?

The Graph Tech Ratio tuners come from the factory with two protruding nubs. You may find that the tuners are literally drop in units on your guitar. Other times, or for guitars with factory tuning machines that mount with screws, the Graph Tech Ratio tuning machine sets come with a number of different shaped InvisoMatch plates. The plates fit most all screw hole patterns and lock the tuning machine in place using the nubs on the tuner. The including Invisomatch plates are simple aluminum, but you can purchase sets separately in chrome, nickel, gold and black. In my most recent installation, a Fender USA Limited Edition Telecaster, the tuning machines had very unique mounting holes, so I used the most effective InvisoMatch plates for the Telecaster headstock and had to drill one screw hole for each. Easy enough to line up the plates, mark the location for the screw holes with a sharp awl and then tape the drill bit to control depth. Took all of three minutes. You can see all the InvisoMatch plates at Graph Tech here.

Where Do I Get These Tuning Machines

Of course you can buy online from graphtech.com and you may find some variants on Amazon, but any guitar shop that carries Graph Tech nuts can get them in for you. Most shops do not keep much in the way of stock. I am in Canada and order mine online from Solo Guitars. Their pricing is competitive and they sell luthier supplies so keep most items in stock. If you have questions, just call the company at 1-800-632-7656. They offer free shipping on minimum orders in Canada and for US buyers, the strength of the US dollar can make shopping in Canada cost effective. If you shop with Sweetwater, click this link for their page of these products. If you need sales assistance from Sweetwater call and ask for James Ridings. He is my Sales Engineer and really knows his stuff. Please be aware that I receive no compensation for seller links, I do it as a convenience for my readers only.

Thank you as always for reading. Please subscribe to be notified of new articles and podcast episodes. I’m Ross Chevalier and until next time, peace.