Tuners compatible with vintage Fender Malibu neck? (Photo within)

[Eddie-Applegate]

Hey yall!

I have a vintage late-60s Fender Malibu neck that i got at the 1995 Phoenix Guitar Show — back then i didn’t know anything about guitars and didn’t realize its neck heel made it incompatible with standard bodies

Now that I have one complete assembly under my belt, i feel I’m ready to try fitting this to a body (not yet ordered)

However, my experience level is still low and i don’t recognize tuner patterns by sight— i can tell that the headstock is drilled for some kind of vintage Kluson-type tuners, but i’m not sure exactly which (if any) currently -available tuners I should use to fit

Photo of the back of the headstock is below

Any and all guidance is much appreciated!

 

[Spud]

It looks like Fender style vintage tuners were on there at one time. However, it has and extra 6 lower holes I am not familiar with?

 

[Eddie-Applegate]

It looks like Fender style vintage tuners were on there at one time. However, it has and extra 6 lower holes I am not familiar with?

Yeah, i wonder if someone installed aftermarket modern tuners like Schaller etc at some point, and maybe that’s what those lower holes are?

 

[Spud]

Yeah, i wonder if someone installed aftermarket modern tuners like Schaller etc at some point, and maybe that’s what those lower holes are?

you could just fill those holes and go with vintage style so it all fits.

 

[teleme01]

Vintage is 11/32" i don't see any signs of the boring out the large hole ... make it easy and get the hipshot with ump plate

.

 

[Spud]

Alternatively, you could just ignore the lower holes and not bother filling.

 

[Spud]

Calipers, everyone need some.

 

[bagman67]

Calipers, everyone need some.

a bore taper gauge is also a viable option, but a caliper has broader capabilities that you don't get with the gauge.

 

[Eddie-Applegate]

Calipers, everyone need some.

Yep, i do have digital calipers

I’ll probably forgo the filling of the lower holes for now, what I have in mind for this neck is something kind of “rough and ready,” inspired by your pine Strat @Spud (tho probably use a tele shape)

 

[Eddie-Applegate]

Thanks all for your kind help + guidance!

Looks like vintage Fender type is indeed the answer— bore diameter checks out and i think the lower holes must be from another aftermarket tuner set.

Yall are the best!

 

[Spud]

Yep, i do have digital calipers

I’ll probably forgo the filling of the lower holes for now, what I have in mind for this neck is something kind of “rough and ready,” inspired by your pine Strat @Spud (tho probably use a tele shape)

Thank you for the compliment. I think.

 

[Rick]

Me, I'd go with the hipshots.

 

[Eddie-Applegate]

The Hipshots look very cool, but the specs indicate they require a 10mm (13/32”) shaft hole, so i’d have to slightly drill or ream out the originals, which i’m not eager to do

 

[teleme01]

Hipshot has vintage also https://www.stewmac.com/parts-and-h...ntage-closed-gear-6-in-line-tuner-upgrade-kit

 

[Spud]

Now that I think about it isn't that from an acoustic guitar? Is the heel compatible with a fender spec body?

 

[Eddie-Applegate]

Now that I think about it isn't that from an acoustic guitar? Is the heel compatible with a fender spec body?

That’s correct— the heel is incompatible with a normal body neck pocket— my plan is to modify an existing neck pocket (by hook or by crook)

Here’s the weird heel design— i’m sure they had a reason to deviate from their electric neck design, but it is inconvenient for us living in the future

 

[Spud]

That’s correct— the heel is incompatible with a normal body neck pocket— my plan is to modify an existing neck pocket (by hook or by crook)

Here’s the weird heel design— i’m sure they had a reason to deviate from their electric neck design, but it is inconvenient for us living in the future


View attachment 61993View attachment 61994

All right brother, just be careful that the scale length when fitted is correct.

 

[Eddie-Applegate]

All right brother, just be careful that the scale length when fitted is correct.

Yeah indeed—

The neck is a standard 25.5” scale length, BUT

the wrinkle is that it’s a 20-fret neck and the mounting holes at the heel are almost an inch closer to the nut than they are on a standard Fender neck

which means (i reckon) the bridge will need to be scooted back by the same distance


it’ll be an ugly duckling for sure, but at the same time (maybe?) kinda neato

 

[Spud]

I would plug existing and redrill the mounting holes.

 

[Eddie-Applegate]

I would plug existing and redrill the mounting holes.

That’s an interesting idea — the mounting holes in the neck, i guess you mean— i wonder if there’s enough room at the heel —

thanks for the idea! I’m gonna check and see if that’ll work, it’d definitely be less ugly than scooting the bridge