[fazool]

I am only responding because some poor unsuspecting reader will stumble across this now-resurrected zombie thread.

Taylor slothead tuners are excellent. One thing that more expensive tuners don't have is a tapered center which keeps the strings centered and reduces slop in the windings. I've never yet seen an expensive replacement set of tuners that have this feature. This is one of the most beneficial features of a tuner.

I've had no problem with the gear mesh or mechanical quality at all.

I didn't like the look of the steel screw so changed mine, but other than that I find them terrific.

(I've owned slotheads for almost forty years)