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Post subject: Recommend new tuning machines please
Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2015 6:11 am
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Hi Guys, I am looking to upgrade my tuners, I have an American Special strat that has standard sealed tuners. I have noticed when fine tuning they are not very accurate, can someone recommend ones that have better or more gears that can slot in without any drilling/modding, I have heard grovers are good but need to know which will fit exactly.
Appreciate your help as always.
M.


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Post subject: Re: Recommend new tuning machines please
Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2015 7:49 am
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My recommendation, since you asked: Schaller F-Series, locking or standard.
(Schaller is just a personal preference; I believe all quality tuning machines do their job.)

I think you have to drill guide/screw holes if you upgrade to Grover Rotomatics, but that should not be a big problem. Have a pro do the install if you doubt your skills.

And things to ponder when choosing: locking/regular; preferred ratio, looks (oh yeah, that's important, too :wink: ).


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Post subject: Re: Recommend new tuning machines please
Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2015 7:58 am
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I have used a myriad of tuners from Grover to Kluson to Gotoh to Schaller.
All make really high quality tuners at their top end. That is key, replacing with top of the line tuners with at least a 16-1 ratio.
Go to Stew Mac or LMI website. both will have a wide variety of tuners. On my Strats my preference has been the Grover Deluxe which looks exactly like the Fender OEM with the slot in the shaft so that it is a quicker restring when needed.

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Last edited by 53magnatone on Tue Jun 09, 2015 10:46 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: Recommend new tuning machines please
Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2015 9:55 am
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+1 on those suggestions - life's too short to waste trying to make inferior tuners hold pitch...

My concern would be to preserve the neck first...

...what screw &/or anti-rotation/hidden pin holes do you have?


My personal favorites would have Locking and Staggered Height post features...

from experience I would recommend Schaller locking tuners.

I especially like GOTOH SDS510-(05M-N L6 HAP-M) to replace vintage tuners (7mm).

They come with conversion bushings for modern (10mm) peg holes. I replaced the tuners on a Clapton neck and never looked back.

Josh Gemmel of JAparts.ca is an exclusive distributor and really helped me through the red tape. Gotoh makes a very wide array of styles.

shown here on a Jimmie Vaughan neck


Image


Image


Image

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Post subject: Re: Recommend new tuning machines please
Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2015 10:16 am
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Thanks guys, danagos have not taken the tuners off yet so not sure what holes are underneath I presume the American special are same holes as american standard but could be wrong. I am open to vintage style as long a they have good gears and are stable but I don't want to do any drilling whatsoever if I can avoid doing so.


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Post subject: Re: Recommend new tuning machines please
Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2015 10:58 am
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Timelanguid wrote:
Thanks guys, danagos have not taken the tuners off yet so not sure what holes are underneath I presume the American special are same holes as american standard but could be wrong. I am open to vintage style as long a they have good gears and are stable but I don't want to do any drilling whatsoever if I can avoid doing so.

Don't blame you...there are a lot of tuners to choose from...if you know the basics...

So take one off...take a picture...measure the diameter of the peg hole...note the holes...the hidden ones come in sets of one or two...how many screw holes?

Easy enough...put it back on and show us the pics...we LOVE pics...the dirtier the better...in a clean strat-tish way :lol:


this pic is a Schaller tuner with two anti-rotational/hidden pins...no screws...held in place with a nut on the post.

Image


this one is the aforementioned Gotoh...no hidden pins...held in place with two shared screws...

Image

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Post subject: Re: Recommend new tuning machines please
Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2015 11:32 am
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You will have to drill new screwholes for vintage style. 7 to be precise. I would not be concerned about it.
I believe you can find the exact tuner dimensions when you look them up online. Shaft is the most important and if you need to enlarge a tuner hole, you DO NOT drill it out. You use what we call a reamer. a small T shaped hand tool which has a tapered cutting shaft.

As for the old holes you fill them ( actually plug them with either a mix of wood glue and maple dust or pegs...

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Post subject: Re: Recommend new tuning machines please
Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2015 11:38 am
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These are vintage Grover deluxe

Image

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Post subject: Re: Recommend new tuning machines please
Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2015 2:27 am
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Thanks again, nice pics too. I have been looking at the fender locking tuners with 18.l gears they look good and will drop right in without diy.... unless someone tells me they are terrible :D


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Post subject: Re: Recommend new tuning machines please
Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2015 5:22 pm
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I put the fender locking tuners on my 2 american strats. I think they look great and are easy to use. They were also super easy to install.


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Post subject: Re: Recommend new tuning machines please
Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2015 5:45 pm
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I installed Fender locking tuning machines on my Statocaster Special. These were direct drop-in replacement. They work fine.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/141565865923?rmvSB=true

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