20_Gauge Posted July 20, 2013 Share Posted July 20, 2013 Really would like to replace the Chrome tuners on my LP Jr with some Vintage style tuners(kinda like the ones on Gibson LP's). I like these(http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/tuners_wilkinson3.htm) but the holes don't match up, I'd hafta drill new ones. So I ask, is it difficult to do this or is it just drilling 2 new holes? 20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STEVIL Posted July 20, 2013 Share Posted July 20, 2013 I changed my machine heads on my Epi G400 custom LP for Gibson tuners, as the originals were loose and old looking. Basically I bought a hand reamer, took out the old machine heads. Then by trying and fitting got the first tuner in. Then making sure I had got the level right I gaffer taped the reamer, so I had a guide for the next hole ready. Then I just repeated the process 5 more times. It's advisable that you put the holes in slowly, do NOT rush the job, or you will end up taking too much out of the holes, as reamers tend to go through wood like butter. Nice and steady and it will be fine. Here is what you need: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bender 4 Life Posted July 20, 2013 Share Posted July 20, 2013 there are lots of inexpensive HAND drills out there these days & every Wal-Mart/Lowes/Home-Depot/Ace etc. has them. i'd use a hand drill for the screw-holes to minimize risk to your headstock. also, be certain you mark your bit with at least masking tape as a "depth stop" so you don't drill too deep. interesting gadgets.....I still use my Grand-Daddys 1929 #1 Craftsman hand drill almost every time I work on a guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spamonkis Posted July 21, 2013 Share Posted July 21, 2013 I am not sure what the LP Jr tuners look like, but you may be able to find a set you like that has the same mounting holes (I put a set of Grovers on Ruby that were exact). But if you must drill, it isn't that big of a deal. I could help you do it if you like, I know you live nearby. If you don't have a church home, come by Calvary Assembly (Knight Boxx and Blanding) tomorrow morning at 10:30 and introduce yourself, I'm the bass player. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Victek Posted July 21, 2013 Share Posted July 21, 2013 there are lots of inexpensive HAND drills out there these days & every Wal-Mart/Lowes/Home-Depot/Ace etc. has them. i'd use a hand drill for the screw-holes to minimize risk to your headstock. also, be certain you mark your bit with at least masking tape as a "depth stop" so you don't drill too deep. I would just add that you want to choose the bit size carefully. Hold the bits next to one of the tuner screws and select one that is the same size as the inside diameter of the screw thread (inside diameter is smaller than the outside). That gives the screw enough wood to bite without having to fight to get it in and risk stripping the head. I'd go with a drop in replacement if possible to avoid drilling (and needing to fill in the old holes), but sometimes that's not an option. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
20_Gauge Posted July 21, 2013 Author Share Posted July 21, 2013 I would just add that you want to choose the bit size carefully. Hold the bits next to one of the tuner screws and select one that is the same size as the inside diameter of the screw thread (inside diameter is smaller than the outside). That gives the screw enough wood to bite without having to fight to get it in and risk stripping the head. I'd go with a drop in replacement if possible to avoid drilling (and needing to fill in the old holes), but sometimes that's not an option. Yeah drilling is a last option, would much rather find a drop in replacement. 20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
20_Gauge Posted July 21, 2013 Author Share Posted July 21, 2013 I am not sure what the LP Jr tuners look like, but you may be able to find a set you like that has the same mounting holes (I put a set of Grovers on Ruby that were exact). But if you must drill, it isn't that big of a deal. I could help you do it if you like, I know you live nearby. If you don't have a church home, come by Calvary Assembly (Knight Boxx and Blanding) tomorrow morning at 10:30 and introduce yourself, I'm the bass player. Hey spam, the tuners on my Jr are in great shape. My wanting to swap'em is pretty much for aesthetics. I've thought about it over & over since startin' this thread & kinda figure since they don't NEED changing, I'd be better to leave well enough alone for now. Thanks for the offer to help, if I change my mind & wanna do this I'll let ya know & maybe we can work somethin' out. Yeah I go to Black Pond Baptist(on Old Jennings). Ya play Bass in church, that's awesome. Bein' able to play my guitar on Sunday mornings is my ultimate goal. 20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonnyg Posted July 21, 2013 Share Posted July 21, 2013 I realise you've changed your mind about swapping out your tuners but, in case you change your mind again, don't buy Wilkinson keystone tuners. I bought a Trev Wilkinson designed Vintage V100 (LP style) guitar and it was great except for the keystone tuners. The shop swapped them out three times but every set rattled while I was playing. In the end we fitted Wilkinson Grover style tuners which were fine, and I prefer them anyway. Wilkinson keystones are well known rattlers. Avoid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
20_Gauge Posted July 21, 2013 Author Share Posted July 21, 2013 I realise you've changed your mind about swapping out your tuners but, in case you change your mind again, don't buy Wilkinson keystone tuners. I bought a Trev Wilkinson designed Vintage V100 (LP style) guitar and it was great except for the keystone tuners. The shop swapped them out three times but every set rattled while I was playing. In the end we fitted Wilkinson Grover style tuners which were fine, and I prefer them anyway. Wilkinson keystones are well known rattlers. Avoid. Thanks for the advice, jonny! 20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bender 4 Life Posted July 22, 2013 Share Posted July 22, 2013 I would just add that you want to choose the bit size carefully. Hold the bits next to one of the tuner screws and select one that is the same size as the inside diameter of the screw thread (inside diameter is smaller than the outside). That gives the screw enough wood to bite without having to fight to get it in and risk stripping the head. I'd go with a drop in replacement if possible to avoid drilling (and needing to fill in the old holes), but sometimes that's not an option. good advice that I forgot to relay.... good catch there Vic !! also, a drop of liquid soap, or bar soap rub make drilling/screwing MUCH easier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deeman Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 I replaced the stock tuners on my G400 with gibson deluxe tuners. The holes didn't quite line up so I took it to my set-up guy and he put them in for me for like $10. I wasn't about to put holes in a guitar myself, best to leave it to an expert. They work great by the way, I would recommend them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
20_Gauge Posted July 23, 2013 Author Share Posted July 23, 2013 I replaced the stock tuners on my G400 with gibson deluxe tuners. The holes didn't quite line up so I took it to my set-up guy and he put them in for me for like $10. I wasn't about to put holes in a guitar myself, best to leave it to an expert. They work great by the way, I would recommend them. Thanks for weighin' in, deeman. Yeah I think if I do it, I'll end up takin' it to my local shop(where I got the bridge(action) on my EJ lowered). 20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcwillow777 Posted July 25, 2013 Share Posted July 25, 2013 Not sure which Jr. you have. I had a '57 Jr. I changed the tuners out with Grover Vintage Green Keystones. I really liked how they turned out. They were a drop in tuner except for the fact that I had to drill 12 new holes in the back or the screws that hold the tuners in place. If you do this make sure that you use masking tape before you drill. The tape will help prevent chipping, I had none. This is how they looked. One thing about these tuners, the original screw hole on the back of the headstock was not totally covered. About 85% was though. This may or may not bother you. I don't have a pick of the back of the tuners on my Jr, but I do on the back of my G-400. If you look closely you can see a little of the hole under the bottom of the tuners, I used the same tuners. The Grovers that I put in are the same as the Gibsons, but cheaper. The only difference is that they say Grover instead of Gibson. Jr. G-400 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
20_Gauge Posted July 25, 2013 Author Share Posted July 25, 2013 Not sure which Jr. you have. I had a '57 Jr. I changed the tuners out with Grover Vintage Green Keystones. I really liked how they turned out. They were a drop in tuner except for the fact that I had to drill 12 new holes in the back or the screws that hold the tuners in place. If you do this make sure that you use masking tape before you drill. The tape will help prevent chipping, I had none. This is how they looked. One thing about these tuners, the original screw hole on the back of the headstock was not totally covered. About 85% was though. This may or may not bother you. I don't have a pick of the back of the tuners on my Jr, but I do on the back of my G-400. If you look closely you can see a little of the hole under the bottom of the tuners, I used the same tuners. The Grovers that I put in are the same as the Gibsons, but cheaper. The only difference is that they say Grove instead of Gibson. Jr. G-400 Cool jc! Mine is just a regular(I guess) Epi LP Jr, no special edition or anything like that. Those are some awesome lookin' tuners, they look great on your LP by the way. Those are the exact ones I was plannin' to get, either those or the Round Button style tuners(like the ones that come on the Gibson LP Jr). Both styles have the same backing/screw positions. Good to know those Grover Keystones dropped right in & all ya had to do is drill new holes for the screws. If that all I hafta do I'll be ok, I just don't feel comfortable enlarging/reaming out the pegholes. If/when I decide to do it, I'm gonna order a set & just remove 1 tuner & see if the new ones drop right in. 20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deeman Posted July 26, 2013 Share Posted July 26, 2013 Much the same, here's how my G400 turned out with the gibson deluxe tuners. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Victek Posted July 26, 2013 Share Posted July 26, 2013 Much the same, here's how my G400 turned out with the gibson deluxe tuners. Nice looking tuners. Is the hole in the back for an occasional drop of oil? And by the way, did you trim off the ends of those strings? :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
20_Gauge Posted July 26, 2013 Author Share Posted July 26, 2013 Not sure which Jr. you have. I had a '57 Jr. I changed the tuners out with Grover Vintage Green Keystones. I really liked how they turned out. They were a drop in tuner except for the fact that I had to drill 12 new holes in the back or the screws that hold the tuners in place. If you do this make sure that you use masking tape before you drill. The tape will help prevent chipping, I had none. This is how they looked. One thing about these tuners, the original screw hole on the back of the headstock was not totally covered. About 85% was though. This may or may not bother you. I don't have a pick of the back of the tuners on my Jr, but I do on the back of my G-400. If you look closely you can see a little of the hole under the bottom of the tuners, I used the same tuners. The Grovers that I put in are the same as the Gibsons, but cheaper. The only difference is that they say Grover instead of Gibson. Jr. G-400 Here's a pic of my Jr's headstock that I took when I changed the truss rod cover: 20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
20_Gauge Posted July 26, 2013 Author Share Posted July 26, 2013 Much the same, here's how my G400 turned out with the gibson deluxe tuners. Those look great, dee! I found some black Keystones for like $26 that I might get when I decide to try this. I'm lookin' to get a small hand drill for this project though. Would feel more comfortable using that, I'm kinda dangerous usin' powertools when doin' somethin' delicate. 20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
20_Gauge Posted July 26, 2013 Author Share Posted July 26, 2013 there are lots of inexpensive HAND drills out there these days & every Wal-Mart/Lowes/Home-Depot/Ace etc. has them. i'd use a hand drill for the screw-holes to minimize risk to your headstock. also, be certain you mark your bit with at least masking tape as a "depth stop" so you don't drill too deep. interesting gadgets.....I still use my Grand-Daddys 1929 #1 Craftsman hand drill almost every time I work on a guitar. Hey Bender, just found(& bought) a Millers Falls No. 77 Hand Drill for $18 on eBay. Thanks fo the "hand drill" tip! I'll feel much more comfortable drilling holes w/ this vs a power drill(I has a heavy finger ). Question: I'm assumin' changing bits is the same on a hand drill as with a power drill, correct? Here's the ebay listing pic of what I just bought: 20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deeman Posted July 27, 2013 Share Posted July 27, 2013 Nice looking tuners. Is the hole in the back for an occasional drop of oil? And by the way, did you trim off the ends of those strings? :-) I never noticed the holes. That is a good question. Also I usually trim strings but this is my backup guitar so I don't spend as much time on it as I should Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
20_Gauge Posted July 27, 2013 Author Share Posted July 27, 2013 Nice looking tuners. Is the hole in the back for an occasional drop of oil? And by the way, did you trim off the ends of those strings? :-) Yeah, I've noticed them holes on those type of tuners also & was wondering the same thing. 20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.