djw171 Posted November 20, 2017 Share Posted November 20, 2017 Hi guys, just a question to throw out there. What tuners would you fit to J185 to replace the factory Grover full size Rotomatics. The Grovers hold tune OK but was thinking of something a little more traditional looking. Interested to hear your thoughts! Cheers Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidblast Posted November 20, 2017 Share Posted November 20, 2017 Were you thinking of something like Kluson Tuplips? I guess my first thought would be they'd need to be an exact swap.. same size holes, same screw setup. I think Grover makes some tuners with different heads instead of the ones that are on there now. Check Stew Mac for starters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted November 20, 2017 Share Posted November 20, 2017 I have never cared for the look of Rotomatics on an acoustic. If you want single tuners I like the Stewmac Waverlys. The less expensive Grover Sta-tites are also nice (I just put a set on an old Harmony Sovereign). If you want strip tuners it is the Antique Acoustics Kluson repros hands down with the Stewmac Golden Age bent tab Klusons coming in close behind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buc McMaster Posted November 20, 2017 Share Posted November 20, 2017 Grover's 135 series keystones are a direct replacement. The lower screw hole matches the Rotomatic hole exactly......the top hole may be drilled if desired but not required as the machine head is securely nutted to the headstock. Grover Keystones Same for the 136 Deluxe series.......nutted to headstock, lower screw hole matches........but with nickel, round buttons. Grover Deluxe I think the keystones would look better on a 185........the round button Deluxe better on a 45 or other round shoulder model. PS Assuming you'd be changing them yourself........DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN THE NUT ON THE HEADSTOCK FACE! Just make contact snugly. Too much tightening WILL crack the nitro finish and you'll have some ugliness where you don't want it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
62burst Posted November 20, 2017 Share Posted November 20, 2017 Another vote here for the Grove or 135 tulips Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted November 20, 2017 Share Posted November 20, 2017 I still prefer the plain old oval white plastic buttons or the metal butterbeans. I have a set of Klusons that a friend gave me where he replaced the plastic buttons with Indian Head nickels. The strangest tuner knobs I have ever run across though are those barrel shaped things on the Kluson Sealfast tuners. They are so large you cannot get a string winder around them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djw171 Posted November 20, 2017 Author Share Posted November 20, 2017 Thanks guys. Good to know that the screw hole will line up perfect with the Keystones. Would enable me to see if I like the look before committing to the other mounting hole. I've always also liked the open gear type Gibson fit to the AJ. http://www.gibson.com/Products/Acoustic-Instruments/Round-Shoulder/Gibson-Acoustic/Advanced-Jumbo/Specs.aspx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobouz Posted November 20, 2017 Share Posted November 20, 2017 There is also a Grover nickel (or gold) tulip button one-screw tuner that would be a direct replacement. These are similar to what was seen on some '70s Gibsons. I put a set on my '02 J-45 Rosewood to replace the stock gold kidney-bean Grovers. I like them on this particular guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirNed Posted November 20, 2017 Share Posted November 20, 2017 There is also a Grover nickel (or gold) tulip button one-screw tuner that would be a direct replacement. I like the nickel Grover tulips: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scriv58 Posted November 21, 2017 Share Posted November 21, 2017 Another vote here for the Grove or 135 tulips Yet another vote for these Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-1854Me Posted November 21, 2017 Share Posted November 21, 2017 I like the look of the originals. Fred Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave F Posted November 21, 2017 Share Posted November 21, 2017 Here's a back shot of my J185 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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