Old Neil Posted January 15, 2017 Share Posted January 15, 2017 Brought out my (currently) neglected J-45 standard while my new AJ is in the shop getting a setup and giving it a cleanup. Was admiring the nickel, butterbean Waverly's in the the light and thought it might make a nice photo for those considering doing the same. The bulky, sealed Grovers that came with it just put the headstock balance out unnecessarily when playing sitting down and (with the addition of having the electrics removed) made for noticeably lighter and more agile guitar. (I also had a bone saddle made and topped it off with some bone ivory pins which made me realize there is quite a bit one can do to make a standard Gibson your own - if you're into that kinda thing...) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted January 15, 2017 Share Posted January 15, 2017 It's a nice look. I put Grover Sta-tites (not rotomatics) on my J-45 back about 1970. They have much the same look as the Waverly's (although not as well finished), with open back and similar buttons. They were all this poor boy could afford back then. Haven't replaced those for sentimental reasons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Neil Posted January 15, 2017 Author Share Posted January 15, 2017 They look great! Beautiful headstock too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted January 15, 2017 Share Posted January 15, 2017 They look great! Beautiful headstock too. Needless to say, it didn't come out of Kalamazoo in 1948 with the headstock looking like that. The headstock décor was done in 1970 or so, for better or worse. It seemed like a good idea at the time... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldCowboy Posted January 15, 2017 Share Posted January 15, 2017 That's a great look on both guitars, guys. I've always wanted to put a set of Waverly tuners on something, but never felt justified spending that much - the Sta-Tites are as close as I ever got, and considering how well they do the Waverleys must be really outstanding😍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mountainpicker Posted January 15, 2017 Share Posted January 15, 2017 I really like the look of open back tuners and that bound headstock looks great. This talk about tuners reminds me that it's January and time to put a drop of oil on each of mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Neil Posted January 15, 2017 Author Share Posted January 15, 2017 I agree, they look even better on a bound headstock. Besides the classic, classy look, Waverly really make great tuners. Compared to the somewhat look-alike competition they feel far more precise and solid and (all other things being equal) hold tune very well. The open back tuners on the AJ feel positively loose by comparison. They may not last long. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted January 15, 2017 Share Posted January 15, 2017 Isn't the Waverly name now owned by Stew Mac? To me though, Grover Rotomatics just look wrong on any Gibson acoustic You think they throw the balance of a 6 string off trying playing something like a Mossman 12 string with those tuners. Here are the original Grover "clipped plate" tuners on my early 1930s Oahu "Nick Lucas." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhanners623 Posted January 15, 2017 Share Posted January 15, 2017 I've got a kit-built D-18 clone with Waverlys. Yes, they are pricey, but they are worth it. Tuning is much smoother and more exact. They're a great investment on any good guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trans Posted January 15, 2017 Share Posted January 15, 2017 I like the Waverly's butterbean tuners but not on a Gibson, more on a Martin really. It just looks too gaudy of a wannabe. Maybe the Waverly Oval Ivory? The vintage aged Kluson's Tulips or the Grover mini rotomatics is more befitting really for a Gibson. But that's just me tho'.............Whatever floats your boat is all that matters in the end. Peace! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Neil Posted January 15, 2017 Author Share Posted January 15, 2017 The Waverly oval ivory is a good call for a Gibson headstock. I like the durability of nickel to survive my string winder however. :-) Also agree that one associates them more with a Martin/Collings headstock. The 12 fret AJ already has nickel butterbean tuners - just not great ones, so that's an easy like for like replacement without changing the aesthetics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted January 15, 2017 Share Posted January 15, 2017 The Waverly oval ivory is a good call for a Gibson headstock. I like the durability of nickel to survive my string winder however. :-) Also agree that one associates them more with a Martin/Collings headstock. The 12 fret AJ already has nickel butterbean tuners - just not great ones, so that's an easy like for like replacement without changing the aesthetics. The simple ivory oval buttons (whether on three-on-a-strip or individual tuners), or black ones on certain vintage models, look right at home on an unadorned Gibson headstock with a decal logo. Fancier Gibson headstocks with inlays or binding can "take" fancier buttons without the tuners becoming a distraction. The modern use of Rotomatics on any Gibson just strikes me as wrong esthetically, even though they are perfectly functional. That may just be because I associate Rotomatics with the D-18 and D-28 from the early 1960's through today, and oval buttons or keystones with the Gibson range. Except for Grover Imperials on high-end Gibson archtops, of course. Those look just right. But that's just me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gearbasher Posted January 15, 2017 Share Posted January 15, 2017 Gotoh tuners (Waverly wannabes) came stock on my J-45 Flamed Maple. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trans Posted January 16, 2017 Share Posted January 16, 2017 Maybe a mini Gotoh or Grover Rotomatics on a simple looking J-35/J-45 I've seen them around upgraded from stock. I like 'em simple that's all. Bling aside. Peace!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aliasphobias Posted January 16, 2017 Share Posted January 16, 2017 Brought out my (currently) neglected J-45 standard while my new AJ is in the shop getting a setup and giving it a cleanup. Was admiring the nickel, butterbean Waverly's in the the light and thought it might make a nice photo for those considering doing the same. The bulky, sealed Grovers that came with it just put the headstock balance out unnecessarily when playing sitting down and (with the addition of having the electrics removed) made for noticeably lighter and more agile guitar. (I also had a bone saddle made and topped it off with some bone ivory pins which made me realize there is quite a bit one can do to make a standard Gibson your own - if you're into that kinda thing...) Just needs a little filling and leveling around the posts to get rid of those raccoon eyes. That would drive me nuts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blindboygrunt Posted January 16, 2017 Share Posted January 16, 2017 I've a set of sta tites that I once had on my j45 but I went to fit them on my 00015 Martin and the little bushes just don't quite fit in the holes. Talking a mm maybe , they're loose when fitted from the back of the headstock but the holes seem to be narrower at the front than the back . Should I just get a reamer ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Neil Posted January 16, 2017 Author Share Posted January 16, 2017 I've a set of sta tites that I once had on my j45 but I went to fit them on my 00015 Martin and the little bushes just don't quite fit in the holes. Talking a mm maybe , they're loose when fitted from the back of the headstock but the holes seem to be narrower at the front than the back . Should I just get a reamer ? I didn't do any of the work myself, a luthier did, He did warn me that, without redoing the headstock finish that their would be some evidence of marking as replacing the solid Gotohs wasn't a like for like job. It is only noticeable to me in certain lighting (or camera closeups) so I don't worry about it. I am perhaps less precious about my standard J-45 as (as its famous moniker implies) my workhorse guitar. Although I treat it as well as more expensive guitars (proper humidity control, regular cleaning, string changes, occasional bouts with the Tonerite if I am not playing it as much etc) I am perhaps less sensitive to the cosmetic imperfections. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Neil Posted January 16, 2017 Author Share Posted January 16, 2017 I've been inspired by this thread, so I just ordered some ivoroid buttoned Waverly tuners. I will swap them out on my J-45 (agree with a previous poster about them looking better on a non-bound peghead) and use the J-45's nickel Waverlys on my 12 Fret AJ when I get it back from its setup. Both jobs I should be able to do myself as the drill settings are the same so it should be a straight swap. Even so, anything I should be aware of when doing installing them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt Posted January 16, 2017 Share Posted January 16, 2017 I like the Waverly's butterbean tuners but not on a Gibson, more on a Martin really. Two vintage Gibson flattops came with the butterbean tuners. The Advanced Jumbo: And, the 1930s version of the Nick Lucas: I've got Waverlys on all of my modern guitars: Including the one that I built: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
62burst Posted January 16, 2017 Share Posted January 16, 2017 I've been inspired by this thread, so I just ordered some ivoroid buttoned Waverly tuners. I will swap them out on my J-45 (agree with a previous poster about them looking better on a non-bound peghead) and use the J-45's nickel Waverlys on my 12 Fret AJ when I get it back from its setup. Both jobs I should be able to do myself as the drill settings are the same so it should be a straight swap. Even so, anything I should be aware of when doing installing them? Those Grained Ivoroid Waverly tuners are beautiful. Yes, Zombywoof, 'thought that Waverly was owned by StewMac, too. Neil, going from the Butterbeans to the Ivoroid tuners should be as easy a swap as you could ask for. The Grained Ivoroid comes with the hexagonal bushings, if I'm not mistaken, no biggie. But what drilling will you have to do? Might want to check the bore diameter on the Grovers that are coming out of the 12-fret AJ, though; you might need a conversion bushing, hopefully Grover doesn't use the same tuner post hole diameter as with the Roto'. I've a set of sta tites that I once had on my j45 but I went to fit them on my 00015 Martin and the little bushes just don't quite fit in the holes. Talking a mm maybe , they're loose when fitted from the back of the headstock but the holes seem to be narrower at the front than the back . Should I just get a reamer ? I've used a round file wrapped with sandpaper on a round file if no reamer on hand, anything round just to shape out that hole a smidge. See what exit wounds the bushing will cover for you. A reamer would be cleaner, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Neil Posted January 16, 2017 Author Share Posted January 16, 2017 Neil, going from the Butterbeans to the Ivoroid tuners should be as easy a swap as you could ask for. The Grained Ivoroid comes with the hexagonal bushings, if I'm not mistaken, no biggie. But what drilling will you have to do? Might want to check the bore diameter on the Grovers that are coming out of the 12-fret AJ, though; you might need a conversion bushing, hopefully Grover doesn't use the same tuner post hole as on the Roto'. OK,duly noted, thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blindboygrunt Posted January 16, 2017 Share Posted January 16, 2017 Those Grained Ivoroid Waverly tuners are beautiful. Yes, Zombywoof, 'thought that Waverly was owned by StewMac, too. Neil, going from the Butterbeans to the Ivoroid tuners should be as easy a swap as you could ask for. The Grained Ivoroid comes with the hexagonal bushings, if I'm not mistaken, no biggie. But what drilling will you have to do? Might want to check the bore diameter on the Grovers that are coming out of the 12-fret AJ, though; you might need a conversion bushing, hopefully Grover doesn't use the same tuner post hole as on the Roto'. I've used a round file wrapped with sandpaper on a round file if no reamer on hand, anything round just to shape out that hole a smidge. See what exit wounds the bushing will cover for you. A reamer would be cleaner, though. Ok. Cheers , will give it a go Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Victory Pete Posted January 16, 2017 Share Posted January 16, 2017 My new Western Classic came with gold Waverly's. I just bought an SJ-200 that came with gold Grover Imperials, I like them a lot, I am going to be selling the Waverly's very soon if anyone is interested. http://www.stewmac.com/Hardware_and_Parts/Tuning_Machines/Solid_Peghead_Guitar_Tuning_Machines/Waverly_Guitar_Tuners_with_Butterbean_Knobs_for_Solid_Pegheads.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbpark Posted January 19, 2017 Share Posted January 19, 2017 Theres a limited run all-mahogany J45 out there that they made 75 of that have the gold butterbean Grovers on from the factory. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Neil Posted January 20, 2017 Author Share Posted January 20, 2017 So I made the switch to grained ivoroid Waverly's on the J-45- I think they are better suited. The old nickel butterbean Waverly's can go on the 12 fret AJ. What do you think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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