My beloved old J-50 experienced a sort of tuner hernia shortly before a performance. I managed an emergency repair and got through it, but before replacing the machines I'd like opinions.
These were already replacement machines, maybe 20 years old on a 40+ year old instrument. They say "Gibson Deluxe" on the backs and have pearl-colored plastic keys. What happened was that the cover of one, only staked on to the base plate, worked its way loose and let the gears leak out. I was able to sort of stake it back together with a punch, but it and another one look ready to jump apart at any moment.
Does anyone have recommendations for better-constructed machines (but not too crazy on the price)? I'd rather not modify the headstock.
Thanks
-Glenn