1945 Epiphone Triumph... tuners ?

[jaik]

Hi, the D tuner on my 1945 Epiphone Triumph is rattling, the plastic has deteriorated enough that i can't get at the screw to adjust or repair it, they operate well, but the rattle is loud.

Does anyone have any idea where to find a replacement for these tuners? Either vintage or even a modern set that would drop into a 40 Epiphone route without new screw holes ?

[RRuskin]

Archtop.com might have parts or know a source. They spiff up guitars like this all the time.

[Uke Richard]

You might be able to change the buttons only. It would be cheaper and easier. Moreover, the guitar would keep its original hardware, which is preferable when selling the guitar.

[slide496]

I found a set of them on an ebay listing for $695 - "Vintage 1950's Epiphone Sealfast Archtop Tuners Emperor Trimuph Zephyr Regent 59" - one was missing a screw

There was a previous listing for $250.

If you have to replace them you might be able to sell the ones you have, but maybe and archtop tech could stop the rattle. A couple of mine rattle because they are loose and I just turn them.

[Steve DeRosa]

I'd replace them with a set of period-looking tuners (Waverly, Kluson, Grover Sta-Tite, etc. ) and keep the originals in a bag in the case - doesn't affect the collector/resale value at all (they can always be refitted to the guitar) and it makes it a working instrument rather than a museum piece...

[jaik]

Originally Posted by Steve DeRosa

I'd replace them with a set of period-looking tuners (Waverly, Kluson, Grover Sta-Tite, etc. ) and keep the originals in a bag in the case - doesn't affect the collector/resale value at all (they can always be refitted to the guitar) and it makes it a working instrument rather than a museum piece...

I haven't found a modern set that matches, I've contacted those suggested websites ( Thanks Guys! ) , and a dozen other well known sites and I keep getting these really blank responses like
"Unfortunately I can't cross reference which tuners would fit this guitar....
We don't have any tuners that look like the ones in your pictures"
"I'm sure they are all over ebay. "
"we don't typically sell parts"
etc

I did see the set someone is trying to get $700 for an incomplete set of tuners on eBay ... which is about what a mid level or lower 1940s Epiphone Archtop goes for ...

I can't really just change the buttons or anything, you can see in the pictures, the tuner plastic gassing out has corroded the screws so they aren't turnable by the heads. I took the guitar in to a reputable repair shop and they said they couldn't fix them, that the plastics & screws would likely crack under the pressure it would take to disassemble them.

I don't know what modern model of Waverly or Kluson or Sta-tite etc would fit without drilling new screw holes etc; but I thought someone might.
Epiphones are uncommon but they aren't so rare that I thought it would be tricky to find a modern replacement set; the way you can for other brands like Gibson etc wawaaa


In the meantime I guess its sort of a traditional african aesthetic like :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVvm94SmMGM

[Howard Klepper]

I have a set. Gold plated (I think the Triumph got nickel), complete, all original screws and bushings. Buttons and plating in much better condition than the ones on Ebay or on your guitar. I replaced them on someone's guitar 40 years ago.

Some feel loose; all work. I won't break up the set, but I will give you a price that is half of that incomplete set on Ebay. PM me if interested.

If I were you I'd try to fix the rattle. Have you located the part that is rattling? I agree that you should not touch the screw on the button.

[jaik]

thanks Howard, I'd seen yours online too, but with 2 of those tuners being loose (already my problem) and the color being mismatched it wouldn't allow me to either replace the one tuner I need replaced or replace all of them with that set.
square one :/

[renoslim]

Their site has precise measurements of the tuners. Do you have a micrometer ?

[Howard Klepper]

Originally Posted by jaik

thanks Howard, I'd seen yours online too, but with 2 of those tuners being loose (already my problem) and the color being mismatched it wouldn't allow me to either replace the one tuner I need replaced or replace all of them with that set.
square one :/

Understood.

But you have not seen mine online. They have never been there.

[jaik]

Originally Posted by Howard Klepper

Understood.

But you have not seen mine online. They have never been there.

oh strange, there was a set exactly as you describe ; gold plated with 2 of the tuners being loose, that just closed on eBay.


I'd probably take one that was gold and live with the mismatch , but buying a whole set just to mismatch seems wacky.

thanks again everyone ! still looking. this might take awhile