SycamoreDan Posted September 16, 2014 Share Posted September 16, 2014 I recently purchased a J-45 with the Rotomatic tuners. I've heard good things about the Tonepro Klusons and plan to put those on. If you take a look at the link to the product on Amazon, would those work? Secondly, is it a direct swap, or would new holes need to be drilled? Thanks. http://www.amazon.com/TPK-KLUSON®-BUSHING-BUTTERBEAN-BUTTON/dp/B006X0ULPK/ref=sr_1_12?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1410745640&sr=1-12&keywords=kluson+tonepro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GDC Posted September 16, 2014 Share Posted September 16, 2014 The Grover Rotomatic has a single screw and the Kluson has two screws, so it wouldn't be a drop in swap. I like Kluson tuners, have them on a couple of Gibsons. They really hold tune. But Rotomatics are great tuners, too. In the last few years, they have gotten a bad rap - IMO unjustly. To each his own, but I'd be very slow to change out those Rotomatics - of course you didn't ask for opinions about that and may not want opinions about it. Anyway - Klusons aren't a direct drop-in replacement for Rotos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SycamoreDan Posted September 16, 2014 Author Share Posted September 16, 2014 Thanks for the info. My reasons for changing the tuners are merely aesthetic. I associate the J-45 with those white button tuners. I have also heard that the Tonepro tuners work quite well, but my local guitar tech will be drilling those additional holes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GDC Posted September 16, 2014 Share Posted September 16, 2014 For what it's worth, I'd say to take it to him and let him drill away. Are the Rotos original to the guitar? Have you removed one to see if there's other holes there? Your tech is unlikely to charge you a lot for the job and it should be something he's done many times, so there's little risk. He can tell you if the change out will leave a visible footprint. The Kluson style tuners I have on my '93 J-100 are great. If that's what you want, then go for it. And remember, we like pictures! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted September 16, 2014 Share Posted September 16, 2014 If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CAMELEYE Posted September 16, 2014 Share Posted September 16, 2014 Coincidentally I'm in the process of doing the same thing only I'm subbing Kluson three on a plate repros. Also swapping the misplaced guard for a correctly placed firestripe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted September 16, 2014 Share Posted September 16, 2014 Also swapping the misplaced guard for a correctly placed firestripe. Where did you get your firestripe? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponty Posted September 16, 2014 Share Posted September 16, 2014 I have replaced my original 'gibson" Klusons with Tonepros with the white knob. They are good. The 'problem' with the current standard J-45 is that the pearl logo isn't associated with the J-45 either. So, I think I would just keep the Grovers. Almost certainly though, I would change the butter bean knobs to tulips, which is easy, inexpensive and traditionally Gibson. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mountainpicker Posted September 16, 2014 Share Posted September 16, 2014 My complaint with the Grovers, besides the chrome buttons instead of white, is the weight! The Tonepro Klusons are A LOT lighter. I did the switchout you are considering on my Eastman ET5-SS. I also did it myself only I used the Tonepros with the nut instead of the bushing model. Pretty straightforward if you can handle taking a drill to your guitar. In some cases the Tonepro will also give you better break angle over the nut too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CAMELEYE Posted September 16, 2014 Share Posted September 16, 2014 I got my firestripe off some Gibson or other that I had a while ago. Forget which one. I've had it kicking around for a couple years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Neil Posted September 17, 2014 Share Posted September 17, 2014 Timely topic. I became frustrated with the headstock heavy imbalance with my J-45 standard. I had my luthier change them for nickel Waverly vintage open gear tuners. New bushings were required and the washers on the front were smaller so the mark the old, larger ones left were lightly buffed away. It plays much better now. I'm satisfied. Between the tuner swap out and removing the standard mic system, battery etc., it is a noticeably lighter guitar now too which I like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted September 17, 2014 Share Posted September 17, 2014 Kluson, of course, today exists in name only - the original Chicago company is long gone. I think the brand is owned by WD Music Products which licenses the Kluson name out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blindboygrunt Posted September 17, 2014 Share Posted September 17, 2014 Timely topic. I became frustrated with the headstock heavy imbalance with my J-45 standard. I had my luthier change them for nickel Waverly vintage open gear tuners. New bushings were required and the washers on the front were smaller so the mark the old, larger ones left were lightly buffed away. It plays much better now. I'm satisfied. Between the tuner swap out and removing the standard mic system, battery etc., it is a noticeably lighter guitar now too which I like. let me get this straight; while you were playing, you noticed that the guitar was too heavy at the headstock end? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Neil Posted September 18, 2014 Share Posted September 18, 2014 Exactly. When I had the guitar sitting in my lap it meant I was correcting the tip down of the headstock end shifting the guitar angle or position further to my right and/or gripping harder with the fretting hand - not good for technique. It is noticeably lighter at the headstock now and plays better so I'm happy. Maybe for those that use a guitar strap (either sitting or standing) it is no big deal as the strap provides that supportive lift to the headstock. I don't use one however. The fact that the Waverlys also look great doesn't hurt. Others may not think so because it is not 'traditional' for Gibson to use them, I also have a Martin J-40 with large, enclosed tuners that are probably as heavy as the Gibson/Grover ones but it is not noticeable as the big lower bout at the other end balances it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElChris Posted September 18, 2014 Share Posted September 18, 2014 The Tonepros don't align perfectly with the existing screw hole, or at least it didn't for me. I broadened the bottom hole in the tuners to compensate for the misalignment. As you can see they have washers covering up the Grover imprints so it's not completely "accurate" but better I think, especially the weight. I also sanded down the plastic with a fine grit sand paper, as the tuners come in a more gloss finish. BTW they come in two metal finishes chrome and nickel so keep that in mind too. However, changing the tuners won't change the headstock logo though. Edit: having some issues uploading an image but will try and get it fixed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larryp58 Posted September 18, 2014 Share Posted September 18, 2014 WAVERLY. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Neil Posted September 18, 2014 Share Posted September 18, 2014 Here are some low rez shots of how it turned out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElChris Posted September 18, 2014 Share Posted September 18, 2014 Tonepros You could probably get away with not using the washers if the original tuners didn't leave too much of an imprint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CAMELEYE Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 Nice job, Chris. Very elegant looking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElChris Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 Nice job, Chris. Very elegant looking. Thanks Jim! i also ordered a new pickguard from terrapin so hoping to finally get that sorted soon too. However I am considering leveling the bevel to more of a curve using sandpaper, so I'm looking into that. What's the eta on your tuners and pickguard? dying to see how it turned out I bet she will look great Also guys I was thinking of gathering all j45 standard mods in an existing or new thread, as they are kinda spread in different threads. It would be nice to gather it all in one place no? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CAMELEYE Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 Mods accomplished! ( Can send pix to anyone's email.) A thread on modded J-45s would be cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponty Posted September 24, 2014 Share Posted September 24, 2014 Tonepros You could probably get away with not using the washers if the original tuners didn't leave too much of an imprint. Cool. Much better looking! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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