Buying Guides
Locking Tuners vs Gearless Tuners: Which is Best for Your Guitar?
If you’re shopping for a tuning machine upgrade, you’ve likely narrowed it down to two options: a set of locking tuners from one of the major brands — Sperzel, Hipshot, Grover, Fender, Gotoh, Schaller — or a set of Riot Works gearless locking tuners. The locking tuners vs gearless tuners decision comes down to what you value most in a tuning machine.
Both are legitimate upgrades over standard tuners. Both lock the string mechanically. Both improve tuning stability and speed up string changes. The question is what you want from the upgrade beyond the basics — because that’s where locking tuners vs gearless tuners diverge significantly.
What Locking Tuners Do Well
Locking tuners deserve their popularity. They clamp the string inside the post, eliminating the need for multiple wraps and dramatically reducing string slippage. String changes take a fraction of the time they do with standard tuners. The hardware drops into most existing peghole configurations with minimal or no modification, and the feel of tuning is familiar — the same worm gear action guitarists have used for decades.
For players who want a meaningful upgrade with zero learning curve and broad compatibility, locking tuners deliver. Brands like Sperzel, Hipshot, and Gotoh have refined their designs over years and produce reliable, well-made hardware.
What Riot Works Gearless Tuners Do Differently
Riot Works tuners are a gearless design. There is no worm gear, no pinion, and no rotating string post. The string is pulled straight through the tuner body by a precision threaded mechanism. When comparing locking tuners vs gearless tuners, this changes several things at once:
40:1 tuning ratio vs 14:1–18:1. Most locking tuners operate between 14:1 and 18:1. Riot Works tuners operate at 40:1. This means roughly double the pitch resolution of even the highest-ratio locking tuner on the market. Fine adjustments that require a careful, delicate touch on a geared tuner become simple and repeatable on a Riot Works tuner.
Zero backlash. Every worm gear has some amount of play between the gear teeth. Riot Works tuners have none. The threaded mechanism is always engaged, always in contact. When you turn the knob, the string responds immediately — no dead zone, no settling, no overshoot from gear play.
Exceptionally smooth action. This is one of the first things players notice after installation. The direct thread engagement produces a continuous, silky tuning motion with no stepped resistance from meshing gear teeth. The feel is fundamentally different from any geared tuner, including premium locking models. It makes every tuning adjustment — from the initial string-up to a mid-set correction — feel precise and effortless.
Elegant, precision-machined hardware. Riot Works tuners are machined from marine-grade stainless steel with sealed stainless steel bearings and naval brass collars. The finish is clean, precise, and visually striking. These are not stamped or cast components — the machining quality is visible the moment you hold one. On the headstock, the effect is distinctive and modern, unlike anything else in the tuner market.
No drilling required. Riot Works tuners mount with a knurled nut and rubber washer. The rubber washer compresses against the headstock to hold the tuner firmly and prevent rotation. No locating pin holes, no permanent modification. Standard 3/8″ pegholes are all you need.
Locking Tuners vs Gearless Tuners: Head-to-Head
Here is how locking tuners vs gearless tuners compare across every specification that matters.
| Locking Tuners (Sperzel, Hipshot, Grover, etc.) | Riot Works Gearless Locking Tuners | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuning mechanism | Worm gear + pinion | Direct thread (no gears) |
| Tuning ratio | 14:1 to 18:1 (21:1 on some premium models) | 40:1 |
| Backlash | Minimal (varies by brand and quality) | None |
| Tuning feel | Geared — characteristic stepped resistance | Smooth — continuous silky thread engagement |
| String attachment | Clamp inside rotating post | Clamp at the end of the tuning machine |
| Body material | Varies by brand (often zinc alloy or aluminum) | Marine-grade stainless steel |
| Bearings | Varies by brand | Sealed stainless steel |
| Collar/hardware | Varies by brand | Naval brass |
| Installation | Drop-in for most guitars; some may need reaming | Drop-in for standard 3/8″ pegholes; no drilling |
| Warranty | Varies by brand | Lifetime |
| Appearance | Traditional tuner profile | Unique machined stainless — distinctive modern look |
| Manufacturer support | Through retailer or brand CS | Direct from the Oregon shop that built them |
When Locking Tuners Are the Right Call
Locking tuners make sense if you want a fast, familiar upgrade and your primary concern is reducing string slippage and speeding up string changes. If you play a guitar with a tremolo system and just need the strings to stay put after heavy whammy use, a quality set of locking tuners from Sperzel, Hipshot, or Gotoh will do that job well.
Locking tuners also excel at speed of string changes during live performance. If you break a string mid-set, a locking tuner lets you thread, clamp, tune, and cut in seconds — fast enough to swap a string between songs without the audience noticing. For gigging musicians who prioritize the fastest possible string change under pressure, locking tuners are purpose-built for that scenario.
They also make sense if you’re upgrading a guitar you don’t plan to keep long-term, or if matching existing hardware aesthetics (vintage-style tuner buttons, specific finishes) is important to you. Locking tuners come in dozens of configurations and finishes from many manufacturers.
When Riot Works Gearless Tuners Are the Better Upgrade
Riot Works tuners are the better upgrade if you want more than just string stability — if the tuning experience itself matters to you. In the locking tuners vs gearless tuners comparison, the gearless design wins on every dimension that affects how tuning actually feels.
The 40:1 ratio and zero backlash deliver precision that geared tuners physically cannot match. The smooth, silky tuning action makes every adjustment feel effortless. The machined stainless steel finish brings an elegance to the headstock that stamped or cast tuners don’t approach. The look is unique — a set of Riot Works tuners on a headstock is immediately recognizable and unlike any other hardware on the market.
For builders and players who treat their guitar as a precision instrument — who spend time dialing in intonation, who notice the feel of their hardware, who care about what their guitar looks like from every angle — Riot Works tuners are the upgrade that addresses every dimension at once: precision, smoothness, materials, aesthetics, and longevity.
Every set is manufactured in Oregon, ships direct from the shop that designed and built it, and is backed by a lifetime warranty. When you have a question about your setup, you reach the people who engineered the product.
Nut Setup Applies to Both
Regardless of which tuner you choose, your nut is the foundation of tuning stability. Locking tuners and gearless tuners both perform best on a guitar with properly cut nut grooves. Gearless tuners increase the break angle over the nut, which means nut preparation is especially important before installation. For the dedicated step-by-step guide to testing and fixing nut slots, read Adjusting the Nut to Prevent String Breakage with Riot Tuners.
For the full explanation, read Why Gearless Locking Tuners Break Strings (And How to Fix It). For the complete installation guide, read How to Set Up Your Guitar for Riot Gearless Locking Tuners. The PDF installation instructions are on the Installation Instructions page. For detailed nut slot technique, see this guide on correctly fixing guitar string nut binding.
Ready to Upgrade?
Visit the Riot Works shop to see the full lineup. Now that you understand locking tuners vs gearless tuners, you can make the right choice for your instrument. Browse — stainless, black, and brass finishes. Contact us with questions about your specific guitar.
For a deeper look at how gearless and locking tuners differ mechanically, read Gearless Guitar Tuners vs Locking Tuners: What’s the Difference?. For a full upgrade path comparison, see Best Tuning Machine Upgrade for Guitar Tuning Stability. For a comparison with Steinberger gearless tuners, read our Steinberger Replacement Tuners: Complete Buyer’s Guide.