Tuning Machine Heads

[peterbatah]

Hello all. First time post. I am looking to replace the tuning machine heads on my 1972 Yamaki Deluxe Folk AY333. As well as the string pegs.

Your time and assistance would be greatly appreciated. Peter

[Kerbie]

Are you looking for suggestions regarding specific brands? Or how-to directions?

[peterbatah]

Originally Posted by Kerbie

Are you looking for suggestions regarding specific brands? Or how-to directions?

Hello Kerbie. Thank you so much for the prompt reply. Much appreciated.

I am looking to purchase. I will deal with their replacement once I have secured the products.

Peter

[Kerbie]

So, you're looking for suggestions of brands?

[peterbatah]

Originally Posted by Kerbie

So, you're looking for suggestions of brands?

Brands / where to purchase. Have no clue as to where I would begin looking.

I just checked the machine heads on my acoustic and unfortunately I do not see any brand markings on them.

I have not done anything to this guitars since it's purchase some 40 years ago. So, to say that a tune up is well overdue would be a huge understatement.

[Kerbie]

StewMac is usually a good place to get parts like that. Maybe Sweetwater or your local shop. I'm sure some others will chime in as well.

[Piercast]

Peter, I see you're in Montréal. A good place to start looking would be also Music Gear as they are in Canada. Fair prices.

Show us the headstock so we see what you’re replacing.

[peterbatah]

Originally Posted by Piercast

Peter, I see you're in Montréal. A good place to start looking would be also Music Gear as they are in Canada. Fair prices.

Show us the headstock so we see what you’re replacing.

Hello @Piercast. Thank you for chiming in. I really appreciate it. Yes I am located in Montréal (one of its suburbs to be more precise)

I will definitely check out Music Gear.

[Piercast]

Excuse me, that was incomplete. It’s Solo Music Gear.

You need a set of tuners with vintage size posts. Don't buy any with a 10mm post bushing size as you'll end up having to enlarge the holes for the tuners… and you definitely do not want to do that without the right tools and technique.

Those would be a good choice for your guitar. Be aware that you might need to fill existing screw holes and drill new ones. This is very rarely a drop-in job.

https://www.solomusicgear.com/produc...oroid-buttons/

[peterbatah]

Originally Posted by Piercast

Excuse me, that was incomplete. It’s Solo Music Gear.

You need a set of tuners with vintage size posts. Don't buy any with a 10mm post bushing size as you'll end up having to enlarge the holes for the tuners… and you definitely do not want to do that without the right tools and technique.

Those would be a good choice for your guitar. Be aware that you might need to fill existing screw holes and drill new ones. This is very rarely a drop-in job.

https://www.solomusicgear.com/produc...oroid-buttons/

Thanks again for this very valuable information. I am starting to think that this might end up being more than I bargained for. I'm always up for a challenge though. Have a great afternoon.

[peterbatah]

Originally Posted by Piercast

Excuse me, that was incomplete. It’s Solo Music Gear.

You need a set of tuners with vintage size posts. Don't buy any with a 10mm post bushing size as you'll end up having to enlarge the holes for the tuners… and you definitely do not want to do that without the right tools and technique.

Those would be a good choice for your guitar. Be aware that you might need to fill existing screw holes and drill new ones. This is very rarely a drop-in job.

https://www.solomusicgear.com/produc...oroid-buttons/

I was looking at the Bridge & Endpins on the Solo Music Gear website. Obviously, there are several to choose from. Is there a way for me to determine which model / size that I require? Thanks again! Peter

[renoslim]

The first thing I would do is measure the existing tuners. A micrometer would be useful here, perhaps with one like this:

https://smile.amazon.com/MCIGICM-Mil...1&rps=1&sr=8-9

You may not want to buy from Stewart Macdonald but they have excellent listings (some including measurements) that will help you compare what is available. Like this example:

https://www.stewmac.com/parts-and-ha...ar-33-tuners3/

[Piercast]

Anything looking like this sealed machine head will NOT fit your guitar without enlarging the tuner posts holes.

https://www.solomusicgear.com/produc...-individual-2/

If you still have any doubts, just take your instrument to a reputable luthier or guitar tech. This isn’t rocket science at all, but still requires minimal familiarity with the job on your hands. You could split your headstock and wouldn’t be the first one to do so if you don't know what you're doing.

So consider this :

1) you will have to plug some holes and
2) you will have to drill some new ones before you can even begin to think about inserting a screw into your peghead
3) if you buy the wrong tuners and have to enlarge the holes there's a good chance you’ll split the peghead with your handheld drill

So… your friendly neighborhood guitar tech is a great place to bring your instrument to now seeing you’re not familiar with the steps involved. Tooting my own horn, I know, but hey. Better safe than sorry.

[Brucebubs]

These tuners from Stewmac are very similar to those original tuners.
https://www.stewmac.com/parts-and-ha...ear-33-tuners3

[Piercast]

Originally Posted by Brucebubs

These tuners from Stewmac are very similar to those original tuners.
https://www.stewmac.com/parts-and-ha...ear-33-tuners3

And probably just as cheap. I wouldn’t bother.