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tuning machine replacements


Motherofpearl

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On my bird I swapped out the Rotos for 135n's. On my SJTV for golden age restoration 3by 3s. They were close to the standard tulips. Unfortunately I can't speak to how the golden age tuners would replace Rotos. I can say the look is awesome and they perform decent.

 

To be truthful few tuners are as precise in function as the Rotos.

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Prefer buttons instead of tulips also

 

I know you can get retrofit buttons, so I wonder if it wouldn't be possible to remove the keystones and but oval buttons on?

 

I looked for drop-in rotomatic replacements with buttons, but couldn't find any. Even other Grovers have a different bushing diameter than the rotomatics.

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Allparts has replacement buttons for Grovers

 

https://www.allparts.com/TK-7724-080-Mother-of-Pearl-Button-Set-for-Grover-Tuners_p_5079.html

https://www.allparts.com/TK-7724-049-Simulated-Ivory-Button-Set-for-Grover-Tuners_p_4960.html

 

I got some of these for my 2008 J-50 and they looked a lot better than the big chrome originals. But ultimately I swapped the whole tuners, because I really disliked the look of the Grovers. I especially disliked the big washers on the front of the headstock. To get rid of those, I think you will need to go to the "vintage" style tuners and use a special reducing bushing. http://www.stewmac.com/Hardware_and_Parts/Tuning_Machines/Tuner_Parts/3_8_Conversion_Tuner_Bushing.html

 

I wrote about my tuner swap here. It was a bit of work, but turned out well: http://forum.gibson.com/index.php?/topic/111365-ntd-new-tuners-day

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Vaca are those tuners heavy? Boyd I love what you did to your J50. That's where I'm kinda going with this. The headstock I have is gonna be identical to the one vaca posted. It's a new purchase for me don't even have it yet. Lol. But I'm in canada and would like to get the parts on order

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Thanks! :) If you want to get rid of the washers on the front, then you will need to get the bushings I linked to above. Those will allow you to use the smaller diameter vintage style tuners, and there are many different styles to choose from several different companies. You will need some experience with tools to do this, and you will probably have to do some light sanding and polishing to remove marks left by the old Grover washers on the front of the headstock. You may find this a little scary with a new guitar. [scared]

 

Try removing just one of the Grover tuners and you will see how much of a mark that the washer left. That might influence your decision about going to the smaller diameter tuners. Personally I would not order any parts in advance. Get the guitar, have fun playing, get to know it a little before changing anything. :)

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