Need some expertise - Tuners

[abelville]

Good morning folks! The original Grover tuners on my Gibby WM45 are soon to be history. I have some ideas for replacement. Could I get your input on either these (attached) or something you like better?
Thanks!
Al
TUNERS.jpg

[Gee Man]

The Gotoh open backs for me. I prefer the old timey look and appreciate the lighter weight at the headstock. This style tuner has also never failed me. The others just look too big to me on an acoustic guitar. YMMV.

[lowrider]

Just my opinion here, but to me, with almost every modern guitar having open-gear tuners these days, there is nothing vintage about them. And sealed tuners are just smoother than open gears. I'd take some careful measurements and if the Gotah's do drop right in, I'd go with them.

[RP]

Originally Posted by lowrider

Just my opinion here, but to me, with almost every modern guitar having open-gear tuners these days, there is nothing vintage about them. And sealed tuners are just smoother than open gears. I'd take some careful measurements and if the Gotah's do drop right in, I'd go with them.

I agree wholeheartedly. I don't like gold tuners so I'd opt for chrome...

[abelville]

Thanks all!

Is 18:1 geared grovers any good?

grover.jpg

[GGSanders]

I put these exact Grover barrel style tuners in my 45 y/o Larrivee. They were a drop in match to the old ones, and I am very happy with them.

[cliff_the_stiff]

Yes- I think grovers are fine. I would replace it with standard Grovers to keep it original.
18:1 is a good ratio. You can get a higher ratio- They will tune a little slower and more precisely.
But having a couple gibson and a Martin guitar with grovers- I have found them to work fine and look correct.
I replaced them with Gotohs 21:1 once a while back on a Martin and took a hit on the resale for not being original.

[blindboyjimi]

I’d get an exact replacement. They still make those gold ones and they are nice. The other tuners won’t fit as well but just measure carefully, and the open back tuners will need a new holes drilled. Stew-Mac has detailed schematics for each tuner on their website. I recently replaced some 40 year old gold grovers with the half-round button exactly like yours. After all, they lasted you 20 years and me 40 years and that’s pretty good for $100.

[hubcapsc]

I did this to my hd-28, direct drop-in. I'd love to replace kluson deluxe
tuners on my 57 Country Western with good open gear tuners, but I don't
want to modify it or drill extra holes in it.



-Mike

[RP]

Originally Posted by abelville

Thanks all!

Is 18:1 geared grovers any good?

Attachment 50274

I have a set of those lying around and would be happy to part with them. PM me if you're interested...

[abelville]

thanks folks, you gave a heap to think on.

[Brucebubs]

18: 1 Grover Rotomatics are good value for the money but I think the Gotoh TK-7740 SG301 are a better made drop-in replacement with the same 18:1 ratio. $58.00 in nickel, $80.00 in gold.



Here's a link; https://www.allparts.com/products/tk...style-3x3-keys

[LakewoodM32Fan]

My Taylor Custom GA and K14c both came with Gotoh 510 21:1 (which are probably overkill but I love the ability to adjust the tension in minute amounts). Ever since using them, for closed back tuners, I've been a big Gotoh fan. I even replaced the Schaller M6 tuners on my 2003 Lakewood (which was showing signs of pitting on the gold colored surface) with Gotoh 510s and they were drop-in replacements. Don't regret doing that at all!

[H165]

I would sure like to hear why they are "slippy". Are the gears stripped??

Why are you not taking advantage of the Grover "lifetime" warranty?

[abelville]

Wow, I guess I didn't think I mine were covered because I'm not the original owner. Some of the tuners feel like they roll back under tension.. Anyway, I want 18:1 ratio for finer tuning also. Thanks!