The 6 Best Locking Tuners for Guitars (2026)
Tuners are often overlooked, however, having reliable tuners is vital to having a good-sounding guitar. Locking tuners clamp each string at the post, making string changes quicker and reducing the need for multiple windings.
My top recommended choice is the Fender Locking Tuners. This is a quality-made set with a modest price tag from a renowned manufacturer.
My second recommended choice is the D’Addario Auto-Trim PWAT-332L. This is a budget-friendly set with an auto-trim mechanism for accurate tuning.
Contents
The 6 Best Locking Tuners for Guitars (2026)
Let’s compare these in more detail.
1. Fender Locking Tuners
Pros
- Staggered posts for modern Fender headstocks
- Rear string clamps speed up restringing
Cons
- Dual-pin mounting does not fit every headstock
We start off this list with the classics. The Fender Locking Tuners are a practical upgrade for modern Stratocaster and Telecaster guitars with the matching dual-pin mounting pattern.
This polished-chrome, right-handed set has six tuners in line, with three tall posts and three short posts. The two guide pins on each tuner need matching holes in the headstock. Vintage-style and all-short-post Fender sets are separate options, so this is not a universal fit for every Fender guitar.
The locking mechanism is in the form of a wheel on the back of the tuner. The rear locking wheel clamps the string; the tuning button adjusts pitch. You can tune down without releasing the string clamp. They come for a reasonable price, so you should really think about getting them whether you’re an amateur or a professional.
2. D'Addario Auto-Trim PWAT-332L
Pros
- Trims excess string during winding
- Rear locks reduce the need for wraps
Cons
- This 3+3 set cannot be used on a six-in-line headstock
The D’Addario Auto-Trim PWAT-332L tuners are a great affordable choice. The PWAT-332L is the black 3+3 set, with three tuners on each side of the headstock. The six-in-line and other-finish versions are separate sets. The locking mechanism works the same as the previous one, with a knob on the back of the tuner.
The great thing about these tuners is the auto-trim option. When you change the strings, you tighten the locker knob. As you wind the tuner, its built-in cutter trims the excess string. It does not detect whether the string has reached the correct pitch. So, there is no more need to bring scissors with you everywhere or to bend and fold the wire to make it neat.
For this price, this is a great buy for anyone, but professional players are probably in more need of tuners with these specific characteristics and options.
3. Schaller M6 135 Locking 3+3 Gold
Pros
- 18:1 gearing for fine adjustments
- Rear locking screws and 135-degree mounting tabs
Cons
- Needs matching bore, screw positions and post height
The Schaller M6 135 Locking 3+3 Gold set is a premium choice for a headstock with matching 135-degree mounting screw positions. It keeps the familiar M6 footprint, but the bore and post dimensions still need to match your guitar. These tuners are exceptionally durable, so, if you want stability and reliability, this is the pick for you.
The gold set linked here has three left and three right tuners and 19.5 mm string posts. Other M6 configurations and finishes are separate versions. With the 18:1 Velvet-Tec technology gear ratio and the LX6 lubricant, you’re looking at an aesthetic, precise, and fast set of locking tuners.
With two color options available (gold and chrome), the Schaller locking tuners are a reliable choice with good durability and price tuning. Naturally, the price is a bit on the steep side but nothing too crazy to not consider it.
4. Grover 502BC Roto-Grip
Pros
- 18:1 gearing and rear string clamps
- Mounting hardware included
Cons
- Full-size 3+3 housings need sufficient headstock space
The Grover 502BC Roto-Grip tuners are an excellent mid-range choice. This is the black-chrome 3+3 version, with a rear thumbscrew to clamp each string. They are made to try and fit all of the guitars, but of course, that can’t be done. That being said, they do actually fit a lot of the standard guitars and you can easily fit them into other heads with a bit of handwork.
Available in four different color options (chrome, gold, nickel, and black chrome), these tuners come with included mounting hardware and support a 3+3 headstock configuration.
They work in the standard 18:1 ratio, meaning you will have unprecedented precision when tuning the strings with these tuners. This is a great option for professionals or people who want to buy the best of the best out there on the market.
5. Graph Tech PRL-8721-C0
Pros
- String-specific gearing gives consistent tuning response
- InvisoMatch plates included
Cons
- This right-handed six-in-line set will not fit 3+3 layouts
The Graph Tech PRL-8721-C0 locking tuners are on the high-end side of the list. This right-handed set of six-in-line locking tuners uses Graph Tech Ratio technology, with a different gear ratio for each string. These tuners ensure you get the same response from your low E all the way to your high E.
The useful part is the consistent response across the strings. With one full turn, you change one whole tone pitch, meaning that alternate tunings can be done very easily and extremely quickly. In addition, the InvisoMatch mounting plates that come included with the purchase allow for an easy installation process.
With a low-profile mounting design, aesthetically pleasing chrome, mini contemporary look, and 2-pin casing, the Graph Tech locking tuners are an option worth considering, if you have the budget!
6. PRS ACC-4337
Pros
- Direct replacement for compatible PRS-designed SE tuners
- Chrome set with six tuners
Cons
- Not compatible with vintage-style SE tuners
The PRS ACC-4337 locking tuners are another modestly-priced option to consider if budget is your main limitation. This set of chrome locking tuners is not only affordable but also quality-made. With good durability and stable tuning, this is an option to consider if you own a PRS guitar.
The only downside is that these tuners are not universal but tailor-made for PRS SE guitars. They are a direct replacement for PRS-designed SE Tuners because Vintage Style tuners have a different mounting screw footprint.
It’s interesting to note that the gear ratio is 15:1. Also, they support a 3+3 headstock configuration. Considering everything, if you’re a PRS owner, this set would be an excellent choice that will not set you back a whole lot.
More about Locking Tuners
A locking tuner adds a clamp that holds the string at the post. It reduces the need for multiple wraps and makes restringing faster. Normal playing should not unwind a properly installed string from a standard tuner, and the clamp does not lock the guitar permanently at pitch. You still need a tuner to check the note.
Using the locking tuner has brought up a heated debate since its introduction to the market. On the plus side, they are meant to hold the strings better and improve tuning stability. On the negative side, people complain that they can make the head of the guitar too heavy because of the added nuts and bolts used in them.
Tuning stability is comprised of many different things with tuners being just one of them. For instance, if you choose to use cheap low-end strings with high-end locking tuners, you’re still going to get unstable tuning. Using the locking tuners can improve your tuning stability indeed, but only if you match it with all other parts of the guitar. Weight varies between tuner designs, so compare the complete replacement set with the tuners already fitted if your guitar is prone to neck dive.
One great thing about locking tuners is the ease with which you can change your strings. There is no need to wrap all the strings slowly and painstakingly around each tuner and then turn them for ages until you get the strings where you want them.
With locking tuners, you just tighten the string as you need, pull it all the way through and just tighten the locking mechanism. After that, tune the string, stretch it gently, and retune as needed. Also, some of the locking tuners come with an in-built auto-trim mechanism, so you don’t even need to trim the strings after you put them in place.
Traditional tuners are usually cheaper than the locking tuners. Even though the high-end traditional tuners can fetch a big price, all in all, traditional tuners are cheaper. But, the price of the locking tuners is not that high, so that shouldn’t deter you from buying and using them.
Conclusion
I hope that this article has helped you with making a choice when it comes to locking guitar tuners. Even if they are a bit of a niche market, there is still a big choice, and you should consider the things I have mentioned in this article before buying them. Check the headstock layout, mounting pattern, and post dimensions before choosing: a good locking tuner still needs to fit your guitar.
My top pick is the Fender Locking Tuners, a quality-made set with a modest price tag from a renowned manufacturer.
My budget pick is the D’Addario Auto-Trim PWAT-332L, a budget-friendly set with an auto-trim mechanism for accurate tuning.
