Tech: Gibson guitar tuners

Subject: Tech: Gibson guitar tuners
From: GUEST,highlandman at work
Date: 25 Jan 13 - 09:51 AM

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

Subject: RE: Tech: Gibson guitar tuners
From: GUEST,999
Date: 25 Jan 13 - 11:27 AM

You'll need to measure the inside diameter of the holes left by your present heads, haw.

I've always used Grovers, but there are many other good tuning heads out there. You'll need to shop around because prices can vary considerably.

Subject: RE: Tech: Gibson guitar tuners
From: Stanron
Date: 25 Jan 13 - 11:48 AM

Lots of tuning machines on ebay. Many have dimensions as well.

Subject: RE: Tech: Gibson guitar tuners
From: GUEST,999
Date: 25 Jan 13 - 11:54 AM

Sorry. I should have said Glenn.

Subject: RE: Tech: Gibson guitar tuners
From: Pete Jennings
Date: 25 Jan 13 - 12:05 PM

Gotoh are one of the best, IMO THE best, and they have a good range of open/enclosed gear types with different shaped peg heads.

Subject: RE: Tech: Gibson guitar tuners
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 26 Jan 13 - 04:02 AM

These Gotohs (CLICK) should be nearly identical to the Gibson Deluxe tuners you describe at about half the price.

Subject: RE: Tech: Gibson guitar tuners
From: Pete Jennings
Date: 26 Jan 13 - 09:47 AM

Well found, Bee-dub. I had a look at the Gotoh site (here), but not being a Gibson man I didn't know what I should be looking for. Pete.

Subject: RE: Tech: Gibson guitar tuners
From: GUEST,highlandman at work
Date: 28 Jan 13 - 09:12 AM

Thanks... not clear on that Elderly Instruments site if that price is for one machine or a set. I'll look into it.
-G

Subject: RE: Tech: Gibson guitar tuners
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Jan 13 - 09:44 AM

Whoa up.....There are a lot of fine tuners and other places to buy. Waverly, Schallert and otheres often specialize in Vintage tuners AND.....Your best buying source is definitely Stewart MacDonald in Athens, Ohio. They are known all over as a fine supplier of parts and an excellent technical resource.

Stew-Mac Tuners here but read through the rest of the catalog when you get a chance. You'll quit buying anywhere else and they are always available for professional advice.


Spaw

What the hell has happened around here? Used to be a thread like this wouldn't have gone past 4 posts before Stew-Mac came up.......

Subject: RE: Tech: Gibson guitar tuners
From: GUEST,highlandman at work
Date: 28 Jan 13 - 01:32 PM

Thanks, Spaw, I receive their print catalogs regularly. Just looking for independent ideas. (I have bought various repair items and tools from them now and then.) -G

Subject: RE: Tech: Gibson guitar tuners
From: PHJim
Date: 28 Jan 13 - 04:54 PM

Martins and Gibsons from the 50s and 60s often had Klusons. The Gibsons often had plastic knobs which seemed to deteriorate after a few decades. These were not too difficult or expensive to replace. The Martins usually had metal knobs. I have a 1950 Gibson with the original Klusons and I have never replaced the knobs. My brother's '58 Gibson has had all of the knobs replaced as have many others I've seen. My '62 D-21 had Klusons which I replaced with Gotohs, but I kept the original Klusons at the recommendation of my luthier.
I believe that Martin switched over to Grovers some time in the sixties. Stew-Mac or Elderly can supply you with repo Klusons if you want to stay original.

Subject: RE: Tech: Gibson guitar tuners
From: GUEST,highlandman at work
Date: 29 Jan 13 - 09:22 AM

Thanks everyone. Looks like Stew-Mac is the winner again. They offer both Gotoh and Kluson; I've still got to pull one and check the dimensions carefully. The guitar was built early 70's (not Gibson's finest hour, I know, but I still love the sound and feel) and had keystone nickel knobs on waffle-back machines. The replacements I got in the 90's (after my firstborn confirmed that guitars obey the laws of gravitation) were Gibson branded but had beige plastic keystone knobs. Either will do, I just want to make sure they fit.
Thanks for the help all
-Glenn