Mr. Natural Posted December 7, 2013 Share Posted December 7, 2013 I absolutely hate the Steinberger gearless tuners on my Firebird. Are Waverly banjo tuners a feasible replacement? Will they fit without having to mod the guitar headstock? Is any other banjo tuner on the market a better option than the Waverly? I sure would appreciate any help. Thanks guys! Mr. Natural Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveFord Posted December 10, 2013 Share Posted December 10, 2013 I'm not sure what it is that you don't like but take a look at the stock tuners as somewhere on there is a screw which you can use to adjust the friction to keep it from slipping out of tune or make it easier to turn. I can't be more specific as I haven't owned a Firebird in a couple of years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyK Posted December 13, 2013 Share Posted December 13, 2013 Hi, what don't you like about them, mate? I'm quite impressed by mine - seems to keep in tune better than "normal" tuners, and obviously much lighter than the old banjo tuners, so the guitar isn't head-heavy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveFord Posted January 1, 2014 Share Posted January 1, 2014 I just heard from Gibson Customer Service and they think it may be possible to retrofit the older banjo tuners. I also asked if the fret board was solid rosewood or glued strips and it is solid which is a good thing. I'm going to get two guitars this year and a Firebird will be one of them. I think tobacco sunburst would be just the thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Natural Posted January 1, 2014 Author Share Posted January 1, 2014 SteveFord and AndyK, thanks for the input. Happy New Year! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6stings Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 Mr Natural, The stock Firebird banjo tuners won't fit the holes drilled for Steinberger Gearless. You need to enlarge the tuner holes To replace the banjo tuners with the Steinbergers, I had to make copper 'conversion' tubes to fit the Steinbergers. Btw, the stock banjo tuners are very heavy, 6 of them are almost 0.5 kilo, not sure you want that weight added to the neck :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostrider Posted January 17, 2014 Share Posted January 17, 2014 New 2013 Firebird owner here....here's my 2 cents: I like the Stienberger tuners. The Banjo tuners were good but to me the lower profile and gearless action of the Stienbergers is a big improvement. I'm not having any trouble (as of yet) keeping mine in tune. I've played a '72 and an '81 Firebird and the banjo tuners seemed to make the the headstock a little bit heavier setting the stage for a neck dive and a possible snap. Also I didn't care for how the upper 2 banjo tuners stuck out of the headstock so far the ones I've seen would touch (albeit gouge) the inner lining of the guitar case....any sudden drop of the case itself could cause damage as well. A luthier friend of mine told me this is how over half of the '64 Firebirds were destroyed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6stings Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 I'll be happy to buy your Steinbergers if you are replacing them with the banjo tuners. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sinner 13 Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 I put a set on a recent build, and found that the pinch screws have to be tighter that a tick in a hound dog, or they WILL slip. Once I got past that, they work awesome, I love the accuracy. and they practically install themselves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoldDot Posted August 3, 2014 Share Posted August 3, 2014 I'll be happy to buy your Steinbergers if you are replacing them with the banjo tuners. I WOULD REALLY be happy if you sold me your banjo tuners [thumbup] (please please please???) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6stings Posted August 3, 2014 Share Posted August 3, 2014 I WOULD REALLY be happy if you sold me your banjo tuners [thumbup] (please please please???) Sorry, Gold, I sold them on ebay 6 months ago, besides, I had only 5, one was broken. Cheers, Darko Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoldDot Posted August 4, 2014 Share Posted August 4, 2014 Sorry, Gold, I sold them on ebay 6 months ago, besides, I had only 5, one was broken. Cheers, Darko Thanks Darko ... I have a very good friend in Norway. His only downfall is that he's not musical at all BUT he's the greatest guy in the world. May I email you to discuss the Blues scene in Scandanavia?? I've done 40 years here in USA & Canada but before I croak, I'd like to do some bars in Europe for the Harley crowds. My friend and his groups are all HD enthusiasts and burn up them fiords like nuthin' [lol] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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