gibson tuners - vintage and modern

[vtpcnk]

what's the difference between vintage tuners and modern tuners in gibson tuning machines?

both of them seem to fit 10 mm pegholes according to :
http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/tuners_genuinegibson.htm

so what's the difference?

i am looking for tuners for a 98 gibson sg - any idea if either of the above will be a 'drop in' fit without needing any physical modification?

appreciate the feedback.

 

[pabloman]

Do you need a whole set or just one or two. There have been a few manufacturers making those tuners for gibson. Yours may be of the Ping variety. What do they say on the back? Send a pick if you can I have some spares laying around.

 

[Cagey]

what's the difference between vintage tuners and modern tuners in gibson tuning machines?

The vintage tuners are junk. The modern tuners, not so much. Still, nothing to write home about. They're sloppy little rascals out of the Pacific Rim that probably only cost Gibson $5 and you're lucky to get them to work worth a tinker's damn. Put a set of Schaller mini-lockers on there, and wallow in the joy that is good hardware.

 

[pabloman]

If you look at the pictures you can clearly see the vintage tuners are the Kluson style with plastic buttons and 2 mounting screws. The modern ones are Grovers with metal keystone buttons. Those only use one screw. Basically they are totally different. If you have the Kluson style and just need to replace a broken one let me know. If your looking to replace the whole set check out the TonePros Kluson. Much much better. I have a brand new set of those that lock if your interested also.

 

[Ace Flibble]

If you want to keep the original look, go for the vintage (Kluson) tuners. They're sturdy enough and most importantly they'll look right, if that's what you care for.

If you just want a mechanically great tuner and you've got 10mm post holes, grab a set of Planet Waves Auto-Trim tuners. Easily the sturdiest tuner around.

 

[Steve_Karl]

I had a set of these

on a Les Paul that I had for a while last year and they were quite accurate and not sloppy at all according to my Peterson VS-1 tuner.

 

[vtpcnk]

i just bought this :

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180681773167&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:US:1123

just need tuners which will be a perfect fit/drop in - without needing any physical modification.

how about these grovers :

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tuners/Guitar,_solid_peghead_tuners/Grover_Tuners/Grover_Deluxe_Keystones.html

would they be a perfect drop in?

also any 'nashville tuneomatic' should work for the bridge right?

will this work for the pickup switch : http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Electronics,_pickups/Components:_Switches_and_knobs/3-way_Pickup_Switches/Right-angle_Switch.html

but what about the jack for this sg? not sure about that.

appreciate any insights.

 

[Cagey]

If you want a perfect fit for your tuners and you have no way of adjusting the hole size, you'll need to know what size the existing peg holes are. They're not 10mm, I can guarantee you that. That's quite likely going to be the wrench size you'll need to snug up the threaded ferrules that hold them in place.

You would think any old Tune-O-Rama bridge would work, but I suspect that's a Pacific Rim knock-off, so who knows? If it is, you're more likely to get satisfaction from Guitar Fetish than anyplace else for those parts. On the plus side, their stuff's cheap inexpensive. Just be sure to measure the centerlines on your post inserts to determine the mounting width, and order to fit.

The switch you've picked out should be fine.

The output jack is just a 1/4" phone jack. They're as common as dirt - even Radio Shack probably has them in stock, although if you buy something from them it just encourages them to stay in business. But, so you know when you go looking...

If you pay any more than $3, you're getting shanked.

 

[Damon]

Consider these tuners:

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tuners/Guitar,_solid_peghead_tuners/Grover_Tuners/Grover_Roto-Grip_Full-size_Locking_Guitar_Machines.html

I just put a set on my LP Studio, which originally had the same tuners that your SG did. The set screw holes line up with the screw holes below each tuner. You'll just have an unused hole above each tuner. 18:1 ratio, no play/backlash, easy to use thumb screw for the locks.... A win all the way around. Only negative I've heard of is that you can completely remove the thumb screw without meaning to and then the guts might pop out, but having read that before buying them I've just been careful with them and haven't had that problem.

 

[llmtelecaster]

Cagey, what's with the radio shack hate?

 

[Eric Banjitar]

My favorite tuners are on my '63 Gibson LGO. I guess they have the perfect amount of rust, dust and smoke resin in them to make them move smoothly but stiff. That guitar can sit for weeks at a time hanging on the wall and still be in perfect tune. Do tuners get better?

 

[Cagey]

Cagey, what's with the radio shack hate?

"Hate" is a pretty strong word. It's more like an alloy of disappointment, frustration and aggravation.

 

[Damon]

Cagey, what's with the radio shack hate?

"Hate" is a pretty strong word. It's more like an alloy of disappointment, frustration and aggravation.

I feel your pain. Went to a radio shack a few weeks ago to get a few components for a project. Couldn't find some of the stuff I was looking for. Asked all three guys working there if they had a heavy duty DPDT toggle switch, got three blank stares even after translating to double pole double throw, and even had one of tell me that he's there to sell phones and x-boxes. I guess the world needed a half-assed Best Buy clone...

 

[Cagey]

I've been having that problem with them for 40 years. That, and trying to buy something without giving them a name and address, or letting them know that no, I don't need any bloody batteries. Then, they're hanging on you like a cheap suit the whole time, trying to "help" when they're generally so clueless about what little they do have in the store, let alone the subject matter in general, that there's no way they're ever going to be of any assistance. The final insult to add to all the injury is 95% of their stuff (outside of the overpriced phones) is of the absolute lowest quality you could possibly get. You'd often be better off cruising a couple alleys looking for an old appliance somebody threw away and cannibalizing parts off that. Be easier, and of higher quality.

I had to laugh - a couple years ago they decided to change their name to "The Shack", rather than "Radio Shack" because they're hoping to present a fresh face to consumers as they direct more of their resources to selling wireless products. Really? You're focusing on radio-based products, so you drop the radio part of your name and keep the dilapidated house part? This is the kind of management they have. I don't know how they stay in business.

 

[bagman67]

Plus ca change...

 

[Cagey]

And that's without a monitor, so call it $9K, knowing those guys. I remember those days. We laughed at them then, too.

 

[bagman67]

Monitor and mouse not included.  Hah!

 

[Superlizard]

Rat Shack has drastically changed over the last couple of decades into a sort of "Circuit City".

Used to be able to go in and see packs of resistors, caps, switches etc hanging on the wall,
now all you see are RC cars, cell phones and MP3 players.  If you want any electronic
components, you have to go in the back where the big "toolchest o' resistors and caps"
resides; refer to the chart & pull out the drawers to locate the proper values.  Apparently
they feel it's better to keep components hidden in a big box because they'd be too intimidating
to the general public out in the open...

 

[Superlizard]

Plus ca change...

I remember those days... paid ~ $4k for an IBM PS/2 Model 25 in '89.  :icon_scratch:

 

[pabloman]

That's funny. My phone has a 1GHz processor with a 16 gig micro SD memory card.