Are waverly tuners drop in replacements for Grovers on Martins

[Shaneh]

I dont want to get everything off just to find out they aren't. I got some cool waverlys I want to put in but wont if I have to drill new holes.

[Steve DeRosa]

You'll need a set of these, as well as new screw holes for the mounting plates:

https://www.stewmac.com/Hardware_and...r_Bushing.html

Common enough conversion, and if you're unsure about doing it yourself bring it to your tech...

[steelvibe]

Drop in I'm not sure, but there are safe options with a little patience. With no pics of your headstock I can't give a definitive answer but the short answer is , yes, you typically can swap out Waverly open backs for stock tuners. You will need to add the second hole to fasten the tuner on the back side of the headstock, but your guess work is eliminated due to the existing post hole and fastening hole. You can just use the hole of the new tuner in place to pilot the second hole. You will likely need the conversion bushings but they are common with these upgrades and can be easily found at StewMac

I would make sure you get a caliper (they can be found cheap on Amazon) and take measurements of what you have prior to ordering replacement tuners. Shipping can be pretty expensive and the subsequent return should you get the wrong parts.

Some vids on the subject you may find very helpful

[Brucebubs]

Originally Posted by Shaneh

I dont want to get everything off just to find out they aren't. I got some cool waverlys I want to put in but wont if I have to drill new holes.

Are you talking about open gear Grover Sta-Tites or sealed gear Grover Rotomatics?

[Rev Roy]

Originally Posted by steelvibe

Some vids on the subject you may find very helpful

Great vids. Thanks for posting.

[Shaneh]

Originally Posted by Brucebubs

Are you talking about open gear Grover Sta-Tites or sealed gear Grover Rotomatics?

Sorry, yes the open back grovers that come on Martins

[Brucebubs]

This is the spec drawing for Grover Sta-Tites;

And this is the specs for Waverly tuners;

- String shaft diameters are identical so you can leave the Grover bushings in.
- Screw Hole to hole is slightly wider on the Grovers but a little work on the Waverly with a needle file would be easy.
- It's the difference in spacing from string post to locating screws that would concern me.

[Osage]

Originally Posted by Shaneh

Sorry, yes the open back grovers that come on Martins

The answer is no, they aren't drop in replacements but they're pretty close.

[Shaneh]

Originally Posted by Brucebubs

This is the spec drawing for Grover Sta-Tites;

And this is the specs for Waverly tuners;

- String shaft diameters are identical so you can leave the Grover bushings in.
- Screw Hole to hole is slightly wider on the Grovers but a little work on the Waverly with a needle file would be easy.
- It's the difference in spacing from string post to locating screws that would concern me.

Thanks this is very helpful. Looks like I would have to modify some which on this guitar I dont want to do. Thanks for all the responses. They should really standardize these things at least for open vs closed so you just pick a style and you can change between any in that style. Oh well

[zoopeda]

Originally Posted by Shaneh

I dont want to get everything off just to find out they aren't. I got some cool waverlys I want to put in but wont if I have to drill new holes.

Can I ask why you want to change? I’ve owned guitars with both, and the Grover’s are awesome tuners. The Waverly are nice, but they can be stiff. My opinion is Grover’s are underrated. They’re smooth, hold their tune, and look classy. Waverly May be overrated. Nice tuners, but I definitely wouldn’t pay or drill more holes just to switch from a nice tuner like the sta tites. Food for thought.

[Shaneh]

Originally Posted by zoopeda

Can I ask why you want to change? I’ve owned guitars with both, and the Grover’s are awesome tuners. The Waverly are nice, but they can be stiff. My opinion is Grover’s are underrated. They’re smooth, hold their tune, and look classy. Waverly May be overrated. Nice tuners, but I definitely wouldn’t pay or drill more holes just to switch from a nice tuner like the sta tites. Food for thought.

I got a deal on the snake wood Waverlies and thought they would look cool one of my martins. Just looks really that is why I do t want to drill any new holes just for the looks

[zoopeda]

Originally Posted by Shaneh

I got a deal on the snake wood Waverlies and thought they would look cool one of my martins. Just looks really that is why I don't want to drill any new holes just for the looks

I wonder, can you get wooden buttons to stick on your Grovers? Sell the Waves and just spruce up what you've got?

[vintageom]

I agree that the StaTites are nice tuners.

[Brucebubs]

Originally Posted by zoopeda

I wonder, can you get wooden buttons to stick on your Grovers? Sell the Waves and just spruce up what you've got?

The buttons on Grover Sta-Tites is a push fit and not designed to be removed - however - it can be done.

I haven't tried this myself but this video makes it look reasonably easy.

[Wade Hampton]

Well, yeah, it’s technically possible to swap out buttons on open gear vintage style tuners, but it’s a LOT more work than I’ve ever wanted to undertake. And I say that as someone who routinely swaps out buttons on modern sealed gear tuners.

But all you have to do with those is take the string off the tuner, unscrew the clutch screw that holds the tuner button in place, remove the stock button (taking care not to pull off any of the little washers with it,) then put the replacement button on the shaft, firm it up with the clutch screw, then put a new string on the tuner. Then you move on to the next one.

Changing the buttons on open gear tuners is FAR more involved, as you can see in the video, particularly if the original button doesn’t want to come off.

I mean, feel free, knock yourself out, but I’ve never seen that as being worth the effort.

By the way, I have swapped out different brands of open gear tuners that have had very slight differences in the spacing of their mounting screw screwholes, and been able to make it work without having to drill new holes.

You just have to finesse them a little bit, that’s all.

Hope that makes sense.


Wade Hampton Miller