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Post subject: 1979 Fender Musicmaster tuning head replacement
Posted: Wed May 08, 2019 6:18 pm
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Hi there,
First post here so will see how goes.
I am "restoring a 1979 Musicmaster back to original and having removed the Schaler heads i bought replacement "Genuine Fender 70s F Style Stratocaster Telecaster Tuning Machines" from Fender with the diamond shaped backs and "F" on them. they have a notched sleeve that seems to press directly into the front face of the headstock to locate them and stop them spinning.

I assume from the size difference between the holes on my headstock and the new machine heads that i need to drill out the headstock holes to a larger size to press them in and get them to lock into the wood. Can anyone advise me on the exact size to drill and a good method to press the sleeves into the headstock ? seems weird that they dont fit as a replacement part. Maybe i have purchased the wrong part for my resto ? have looked at loads of pictures and they appear to be as per factory.


below is what i bought.

https://www.ebay.com.au/p/Genuine-Fender-70s-F-Style-Stratocaster-Telecaster-Tuning-Machines-0990822100/3019180442?iid=323248379169

Any info or suggested links to method greatly appreciated


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Post subject: Re: 1979 Fender Musicmaster tuning head replacement
Posted: Tue May 14, 2019 1:13 am
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Joined: Fri Feb 05, 2010 4:31 am
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Location: Province de Québec, Canada
Don't drill a larger hole, :shock:
Don't do it chance is you'll ruin the head stock

IMO you order or receive the wrong tuning machines

Know what you do before.

Look here;
https://www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tools/T ... Press.html


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Post subject: Re: 1979 Fender Musicmaster tuning head replacement
Posted: Tue May 14, 2019 3:12 am
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Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 1:53 am
Posts: 4240
First a reminder: the "restore to original condition" can be OK if one uses vintage parts and has the proper skill level. But too often a restoration just degrades the value of a guitar. I have no idea of your skill level & tools selection, so no offence meant here.

I'll agree with st52, do not attempt to drill the headstock - even pro guitar techs think twice before that. It's a permanent mod, not original and even the slightest misalignment shows.
If you have glue/lacquer residue, from the previous tuner upgrade, in the holes, that's relatively easy to sand/scrape off - with hand tools, patience and caution. Personally, I'd go as far as grind the bushings narrower before drilling a headstock. :wink:

You have the guitar, and you have the tuners and their bushings (the "notched sleeves").
Measure the holes, bushings in/outside and tuner poles diameters. There are conversion bushings in many sizes, if you should need to order new ones, but I don't think measures for the 70s style tuners have changed.

Again personally, I'd put the Schallers back, they are way higher class than those Fender (they're Ping made, if there's a PW stamp) ones. There probably was a reason behind the previous upgrade...


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Post subject: Re: 1979 Fender Musicmaster tuning head replacement
Posted: Tue May 14, 2019 5:14 am
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Joined: Wed May 08, 2019 5:40 pm
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Thankyou both for the advice and for the words of warning. I shall see what else I can find as far as replacement heads. I will likely try and find something original.... and will re-attach the schalers for now . the gender replacement ones do see a little natty. The guitar was bought re-finished and someone put a bridge himbucker in as well. So.. it's not fully original. I just thought it more valuable to me personally that I hear what it sounded like as original and without the lousy paint job


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Post subject: Re: 1979 Fender Musicmaster tuning head replacement
Posted: Tue May 14, 2019 5:15 am
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Thankyou so much for your time and consideration in responding. Rally appreciate the expertise and advice


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Post subject: Re: 1979 Fender Musicmaster tuning head replacement
Posted: Tue May 14, 2019 1:02 pm
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Rock Star
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Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 1:53 am
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You're very welcome, glad if we could help. A pic or a few would be the nicest thank you - and that might provoke some interesting conversations, maybe even help you further...


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