mmukav 2 Report post Posted January 1 (edited) Hi all, and Happy New Year! New member here. Just picked up a new Gibson G-45. So far, really like it. But I'd like to change the tuners for a more vintage look. Something like the green key vintage tuners. Has anyone switched out theirs? On a G-45 or J-45? Much difference between the two as far as tuners? What have you changed over to? Any problems? Thanks..... Edited January 1 by mmukav added pic Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zombywoof 149 Report post Posted January 1 Rotomatics just look so flippin' wrong on any J45. While it did not involve any Gibson surgery, I replaced the original open gear strip tuners on one of my Harmony Sovereigns with a set of Grover Sta-Tites and have been more than happy. I even like the metal buttons which kind of surprised me. If you cannot live with metal buttons or hanker for strip tuners, there are a ton of choices such as the Stewmac Golden age tuners. Unfortunately Antique Acoustics no longer offers their version of the Kluson open gear tuners. These were the standard replacement tuners when restoring old Gibsons which is not surprising as Willi Henkes is one of the owners of the company. Might be worth being patent and seeing if you can score a set used. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
62burst 90 Report post Posted January 1 1 hour ago, mmukav said: Has anyone switched out theirs? On a G-45 or J-45? Much difference between the two as far as tuners? What have you changed over to? Any problems? Those are the mini Roto's on your G-45? The smaller footprint of the mini's would likely be better at allowing a set of 3-on-a-plates to more completely cover the location of the previous screwholes. Maybe the people at StewMac would be able to confirm. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mmukav 2 Report post Posted January 2 (edited) @62burst--yes, they're the mini grovers. I love the guitar and am going to keep it, but every time I look at it I see those metal keys and cringe. I just feel the vintage look would be much nicer. And as far as contacting Elderly? I emailed them right before I saw your comment!! I'll let you know how they respond. I know I'll need to drill new screw holes, but I'd rather not have to ream the shaft holes. Edited January 2 by mmukav Sp Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
j45nick 377 Report post Posted January 2 17 minutes ago, mmukav said: @62burst--yes, they're the mini grovers. I love the guitar and am going to keep it, but every time I look at it I see those metal keys and cringe. I just feel the vintage look would be much nicer. And as far as contacting Elderly? I emailed them right before I saw your comment!! I'll let you know how they respond. I know I'll need to drill new screw holes, but I'd rather not have to ream the shaft holes. Those Grover 205's mini rotos use a 10mm peghead bushing, so you may need to use conversion bushings with most of your tuner options. Go on stewmac.com and look at their tuner options, as well as the 3/8"/10mm conversion bushings. Be sure not to get the 10.5 mm bushings. If you go to three-on-a-plate tuners (like closed-back or open-back Klusons or replicas thereof, such as Golden Age), you need to check the stringpost spacing on your peghead to make sure they will work. This would be the classic tuner configuration for a J-45. If your stringpost spacing doesn't line up for three-on-a-plates, look at Grover Sta-Tite 97 individual tuners. They are pretty classic-looking. I put a set of these on my original 1950 J-45 back in 1971. They are great tuners for the money. You will still need the conversion bushings. Most of the tuners Stewmac sells have dimensioned drawings on the website. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ALD323 9 Report post Posted January 2 (edited) I have the 2019 Mahogany J-45 M light cherry burst with mini rotos on it......they don't look bad, they just don't look right. So I've bought a set of the Black Ebony wood replacement BUTTONS..exact same size that screw on and off....and it looks great now, much classier, no gaudy glitter of the sparkling Sally Star rotomatics! Great price too..perfect fit... no mods needed just a small phillips screwderiver. Here is where I got them, and they look way better in person. Just an option you might consider. ...These are specifically for mini rotomatics size only..a direct replacement. https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-6-Small-Tuning-Key-Buttons-ScrewsFor-Grover-Tuners-Rotomatic-EBONY-/292756198779?_trksid=p2349526.m4383.l4275.c10#viTabs_0 Edited January 2 by ALD323 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mmukav 2 Report post Posted January 2 @ALD323---hmmm........interesting. @j45nick--thanks. I'll see what Elderly has to say. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mmukav 2 Report post Posted January 8 (edited) I went with ALD323's idea and replaced the tuner buttons. I like it. Still may go with the Kluson Vintage Keystones sometime in the future. Edited January 8 by mmukav added pic 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
62burst 90 Report post Posted January 8 better already. 👍🏼 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
