Waverly vs Grover drop-in for SCGC H13

David2021 · #1 06-01-2021, 02:41 AM

Hello,

I would like to replace the SCGC branded Grovers on my H13 slotted headstock with Waverly tuners (Ivoroid knobs). The Grover H97 should be a recommended drop-in replacement, but I am wondering if also the Waverly would fit without any woodwork on the headstock (do the holes match ?). I guess somebody has done this before. Any thoughts are very welcome. Thank you very much.

Best regards,
David

Brucebubs · #2 06-01-2021, 04:01 PM

Can I offer an alternative?
I had nickel Grover 18:1 Sta-Tites on a custom build guitar, they did a good job but developed a lot of sloppy free-play.
I had a new set of gold 15:1 Gotoh SE780's sitting at home and swapped them over.
At first I thought I'd miss the finer tuning ratio going from 18:1 down to 15:1.
I was so wrong.
The Gotoh are super smooth and accurate with zero free-play.

Screw holes were tight but worked fine, no drilling but you will need to change the push-fit bushings.

Mandobart · #3 06-02-2021, 02:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brucebubs

Can I offer an alternative?
I had nickel Grover 18:1 Sta-Tites on a custom build guitar, they did a good job but developed a lot of sloppy free-play.
I had a new set of gold 15:1 Gotoh SE780's sitting at home and swapped them over.
At first I thought I'd miss the finer tuning ratio going from 18:1 down to 15:1.
I was so wrong.
The Gotoh are super smooth and accurate with zero free-play.

Screw holes were tight but worked fine, no drilling but you will need to change the push-fit bushings.

Remember the OP has a slot head. I've changed out tuners and bushings on many solid paddle heads, but never a slot head. I imagine pressing out the old and pressing in the new bushings is tougher on a slot head. And there's always plugging the old mounting screws and drilling new ones.

Brucebubs · #4 06-02-2021, 04:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mandobart

Remember the OP has a slot head. I've changed out tuners and bushings on many solid paddle heads, but never a slot head. I imagine pressing out the old and pressing in the new bushings is tougher on a slot head. And there's always plugging the old mounting screws and drilling new ones.

You're right, my mistake, I missed the guitar having a slot-head - in which case there are no push-fit bushings to worry about.
I had Waverly tuners on my Martin JDP II slot-head and they were not anything special... in fact some were quite stiff.
I have Gotoh on my Gibson SJ-200 plus the swap I mentioned above and yes, they are both solid headstocks but both are super smooth and a delight to use.