New Schaller Slothead Tuners - Reverse Fit?

[cisco7]

Hello acoustic fellas,

I've been looking around for some new tuners for my Blueridge BR-361 and i found some amazing Schaller GrandTune tuners. I checked the measurements and everything seemed ok to me so i ordered them.

When i tried to install them i noticed something truly strange. They adhere to the wood perfectly in "reverse mode", with the wormgear on the lower side, close to the nut but they don't adhere to the wood in the "regular" mode.

Will it be ok to install them in reverse mode? Can it cause mechanical issues?
Will i be forced to tighten the lower E turning the tuner clockwise?

It surely has something to do with the position of the holes on the inner side of the headstock.

I can send them back but i just wanted to share this "reverse" stuff.

...

Thanks!

Correct Fit but reversed:


Wrong Fit unwanted angle:

[Bax Burgess]

If, in order to work, the strings don't begin their wrap over the top of the post, then pass.

[cisco7]

Originally Posted by Bax Burgess

If, in order to work, the strings don't begin their wrap over the top of the post, then pass.

Thanks Bax. Yes i could make the strings start their wrap over the top of the post but i would have to tune the lower E clockwise..

[CRM]

I don't think it matters which way you turn the nob to tune it up. I have a set of Grandtune's on my E20SS and love how smooth they work. I know different application but the tuners are awesome. Is there a tell tell sign of the plate imprint on the side of the headstock when you have it sitting in reverse mode? That would be the only reason I'd not choose to install in reverse mode.

[The Bard Rocks]

I suspect that when you screw it down in place that the gap will disappear. I'd hoped someone with more experience could say that instead of me. If you push it down with a finger, does it bend enough to mate properly?

[cisco7]

Originally Posted by CRM

I don't think it matters which way you turn the nob to tune it up. I have a set of Grandtune's on my E20SS and love how smooth they work. I know different application but the tuners are awesome. Is there a tell tell sign of the plate imprint on the side of the headstock when you have it sitting in reverse mode? That would be the only reason I'd not choose to install in reverse mode.

Hi Crm, i asked the Schaller factory via email and they told me that this type of tuner cannot function properly if installed in reverse mode.

[cisco7]

Originally Posted by The Bard Rocks

I suspect that when you screw it down in place that the gap will disappear. I'd hoped someone with more experience could say that instead of me. If you push it down with a finger, does it bend enough to mate properly?

Hi Bard Rocks, thanks. No the tuner doesn't bend and i wouldn't like to force it. It has to fit naturally.

[The Bard Rocks]

Originally Posted by cisco7

Hi Bard Rocks, thanks. No the tuner doesn't bend and i wouldn't like to force it. It has to fit naturally.

Well, so much for that bright idea. It looked to me like the built for sides that are parallel with each other.

[martingitdave]

Do you have left and right reversed? Do they offer another model?

[JohnnyD123]

Originally Posted by martingitdave

Do you have left and right reversed? Do they offer another model?

I was thinking this must be the case.

Also, commenting on another prior post, you would NOT want to screw it down with an off angle. It may damage the wood on the guitar, but even if that did not occur there would be a great amount of stress on the tuner. It would stay nicely in place, but would be extremely hard to turn and tune finely (I was an engineer). Try swapping left to right, or bass to treble!

[martingitdave]

Originally Posted by JohnnyD123

I was thinking this must be the case.



Also, commenting on another prior post, you would NOT want to screw it down with an off angle. It may damage the wood on the guitar, but even if that did not occur there would be a great amount of stress on the tuner. It would stay nicely in place, but would be extremely hard to turn and tune finely (I was an engineer). Try swapping left to right, or bass to treble!

Correct - from another engineer. :-). Don’t screw it down hard. You’ll ruin the tuners and the headstock. Move them to the other side of the headstock and rotate them 180 degrees.

[cisco7]

Originally Posted by martingitdave

Do you have left and right reversed? Do they offer another model?

Hi martingitdave, i tried every possible combination and the only way they fit is in "reverse"mode. I mean every tuner with the wormgear facing towards the nut.
They don't offer another model, i asked the people at Schaller via email.

[cisco7]

Originally Posted by The Bard Rocks

Well, so much for that bright idea. It looked to me like the built for sides that are parallel with each other.

Thanks anyway Bard Rocks, i hope i'll get this stuff fixed

[cisco7]

Ok these are great tuners but i believe i have to send them back.

[Realbluesman]

Cisco, Are you still considering the Stew-Mac Golden Age 3-on a plate?