simple yet beautiful upgrade to my Taylor slothead

[fazool]

Redid the pics inserted directly all down below

My Taylor slothead GC7 is gorgeous, but it has one aesthetic flaw: the beautiful filigree appointed antique brass tuners have a big ugly slot head stainless steel screw in prominent location that looks like a wart on a supermodel.

The screws have a wave washer under them and are secured with Loctite 222. Up close they look like this:

I called Taylor and they couldn't identify the screws nor the manufacturer (they thought they were Ping but Ping said "no".

I measured the screws and conveniently a 3-56 (US) screw is the exact same size (within tolerance) as a M2.5x.45 (metric) screw so there are more options (its .25" long).

I got two choices from McMaster Carr


The thread size size is hard to find so there was no Phillip's head in brass (my first choice).

I went with the brass slot head:

Cost was about $9 including shipping.

I put a dab of rubber cement on as an ad-hoc thread locker until I am more sure of the permanence (and I didn't have any 222 at home right now).

I'm extremely happy with this simple little change. They should have done this themselves. Those tuners are beautiful and that ugly stock screw looks awful on it.

[Jim.S]

Now there is a eye for detail.

Jim

[John Arnold]

Something is very wrong if Taylor really does not know who made the tuners they are using.

[fazool]

Originally Posted by John Arnold

Something is very wrong if Taylor really does not know who made the tuners they are using.

Agreed - and I did call them more than once about it.

[HHP]

You're happy with it, that's what matters. I wouldn't have even made note of it, much less thought to try an change it. I can't tell much difference before and after, the new screws are more dome topped?

[fazool]

Originally Posted by HHP

You're happy with it, that's what matters. I wouldn't have even made note of it, much less thought to try an change it. I can't tell much difference before and after, the new screws are more dome topped?

No, it doesn't show well in the photos

Its the finish color of the screws. The new ones are brass and match the whole tuner. The old ones were stainless steel and looked totally out of place - big ghreay metal screw heads on a nice decorative brass tuner.

[redir]

Originally Posted by Jim.S

Now there is a eye for detail.

Jim

My first thought was, "wow how tedious some people can be." And being a guitar maker and repair man I have certainly come across such customers. My second thought was, "wow that really does look a lot better."



Good job

[Tom West]

Looks much, much better to me. Blends in via color and shape............nice fix.
Tom

[charles Tauber]

So the next thing is to do something about that God-awful truss rod cover. Even having used a similar finish would have been an improvement. That hits me over the head way more than the tuning machine screws.

[arie]

indeed. if looks is what we're after here, then finish that truss rod cover with something and replace the phillips screws with slotted screws to match you new tuner hardware. you should even replace the tuner plate screws with slots as well. call it a "slotted" conversion. slotted screws on a slot head guitar.

[Dru Edwards]

You've got a fine eye, finer than mine. I do like what you did, and it was inexpensive too.

[fazool]

I've replace three previous TRC's so am sensitive to those as well. I might consider replacing this one too, but I want something that matches the feel of its aesthetics.

The other three I did were big improvements.

This one's photos didnt help much - you cant really see the difference in screw color in the photos - its much more pronounced.

The TRC is the opposite - the wood grain matches the headstock exactly, but its not finished with gloss like the headstock - the light really makes the headstock shine and the TC not shine, so the TRC looks better in person.

But, I do agree with your eye - that will be next.

[redir]

I don't know... I kind of like truss rod covers that are flat finished against the polished finish. I make mine out of ebony and just finish with a bit of linseed oil.

[fazool]

I was actually shopping for material when I saw this thread replied to again.

I like a sharply contrasting color TRC and, yet, I like one that matches the guitar. I made one to match my sapele body and it matches the guitar body but is a contrast to the headstock.

So, I am thinking of making a cedar one to match the guitar top and contrast the rosewood body and rosewood headstock.

Having trouble finding 1/8" thick western red cedar pieces at the moment.

[stuw]

I might have some WRC cut offs left from my last top, I'll check and see, you can have them if I find them.