Gibson J-45 Vintage - tuning machines

[MikeInBethesda]

So I love everything about my J-45 Vintage with the possible exception of the tuning machines. I can live with them but thought that I might consider swapping them out for other vintage style tuners. I'm wondering if any J-45 Vintage owners have considered or done the same, or if you're happy with the. If you've considered swapping them out, what options have you looked at? I'm inclined to go with some kind of Kluson or White botton tuners but interested in folks thoughts in terms of what would be a good match. Thanks a lot, Mike

[bigshoe]

I swapped mine out for Vintage tuners and they work fine, just make sure you ask all questions before buying, turn freely, crack free, measurements for holes etc.

[Wade Hampton]

Mike, last I heard Gibson was using Gotoh open gear tuners on those guitars. You can swap them out with Waverlys or Grovers if you like, or for Klusons, but you're probably not going to get better tuning accuracy out of them. None of the open gear tuners on the market that I've used have been any more accurate (and I've used or tested almost all, including Waverlys and Rodgers tuners.) Modern sealed gear tuners are simply more precise.

But if you want Kluson-style tuners, Gotoh makes some that are more accurate than the actual Kluson brand itself.

Hope this helps.


Wade Hampton Miller

[Mr Fingers]

Congratulations on owning what I think is a terrific guitar in all respects. I disagree that you have to settle for compromised performance with open tuners. Open Waverlys are made to tighter tolerances and outperform the many sealed Klusons (ick), Grovers, and Sperzels I have used. I'm not familiar with the Gotoh open backs. They make quite a range of machines -- some fantastic, some ordinary. Waverlys are the machines of choice for Collings.

[Nid2007]

I have no experience with the J-45 Vintage, but I did find the reliced tuners on the Vintage Hummingbird to be lacking, and even a notch below the almost identical non-reliced tuners on the TV model.

I think ivoroid waverly would look and work great. Here is a link the what Germantown luthier Todd Stock put on my Songbird. I used the gold, but the nickel version should look great on the 45.
http://forum.gibson.com/index.php?/t...1#entry1699411

[frank4001]

I have no experience with your model but I put the Kluson, 3 on a plate, 18:1 tuners on my '56 J-45 and they dropped right in.
Work pretty well, a touch of backlash on the B but nothing major.
Like $50.00 if I'm remembering right, may have been less.
Love the 18:1 ratio.

[SalFromChatham]

I put Stewmac Golden Age Restoration tuners in relic nickel on my J50 because I like the look... they work fine...

https://i.imgur.com/zCieMEE.jpg

[Marshall]

Kluson Deluxe 3 on a rail



Put them on everything. 3, 1950s sloped dreads. 2, 1930s Kalamazoo KG11s. And on my new custom 1930s Nick Lucas replica.

They look right. They feel right. They work right.

[tippy5]

These are nice, the cream colored buttons match the binding.


Gotoh 3x3 "On a Plate" Vintage Style Tuners Tuning Keys for Gibson - NICKEL


http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Gotoh-3x...3D122071596076

[MikeInBethesda]

hi all, many thanks for the good recommendations, I'm going to check a couple of these out.