I have a California Series Strat that has Kluson-style vintage style tuners. I noticed that there is a small hole on the back of each key that looks as though it is there to lube the machines. Should I lube the gears through these holes? What kind of lube? Deoxit Gold? 3in1?

I don't think I would.

I've heard warnings about oil and wood not mixing well, so I wouldn't risk it.

_________________
Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

A touch of sewing machine oil but I wouldnt do it unless they start seizing up on you.

I've never lubed them on any of my guitars. Oil will eventually make the wood soft.

The tuners should not need lubrication as they are not completely sealed so any oil that escapes and gets on the wood will cause swelling around the tuner and eventually shrink the hole.

If they tuners get to a point were they MUST (and that rarely happens especially on new guitars) be oiled then remove them from the head stock, lube them and let them sit on an angle so that any extra oil drips out. Then clean the body and exposed areas thoroughly.

Hi OO - Thanks for your advise. I dont see how the oil would ever hit the wood. If I saturated the machine and filled it with oil, the excess could only come out of the top near where the string attaches to the tuner... right?

If I recall correctly, the tuner is completely sealed. My apologies and please correct me if I'm wrong.

Maybe some kind of a grease (just a wee little bit of course) that would stay put (and not run out of the tuner) would be the best idea.

_________________
Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

That would be a better option then an oil, but correct me if i'm wrong. There is only a small hole on the back of the tuner which would not let the grease in enough to contact the necessary area of the gear.

I would agree but as you say, the grease would not flow.

I'm thinking, lay the strat on it's face and apply one drop of 3in1 per machine.

Plain old faithful Vaseline is a highly refined non-flowing petrochemical grease whic may be used SPARINGLY.

That sounds great but how would I get it through the 1/16" diameter hole on the back of the machine?

Are you having trouble with the tuners, or are you trying to fix something that ain't broke?

I've never heard of oiling tuners because you saw a hole there. Don't try to fix something that ain't broke.

Well if the holes are not meant for lubrication, what are they there for?

Yes, the Cali Strat is about 12 years old and some of them are very stiff.

I have a 72 Strat and never lubed them at all and they're fine. 37 years and still working fine. My 63 Supro is the same way. 46 years and going just fine.