shekie777 Posted June 12, 2021 Share Posted June 12, 2021 (edited) I'm interested in replacing the tuner buttons on the Grover Rotomatics that came stock on my 2019 J45, both for appearance and to lighten the weight at the headstock. I'm not up for doing a full replacement of the tuners themselves, just interested in replacing the buttons/knobs. I understand the weight savings will be minimal if I just replace the buttons. Can anyone recommend a website that sells replacements, preferably in white/cream/ivoroid, or maybe tortoise colored that just requires unscrewing the stock metal ones and screwing on the replacements? I don't mind spending a bit extra for better quality if there are in fact differences between what's available for purchase. Thanks Edited June 12, 2021 by shekie777 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted June 12, 2021 Share Posted June 12, 2021 (edited) Stew Mac https://www.stewmac.com/parts-and-hardware/tuning-machines/tuner-parts/vintage-style-tuner-knobs.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=2021-06-gp&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIw7X9tpSS8QIVVSs4Ch1c_gGOEAQYASABEgKuyvD_BwE Edited June 12, 2021 by Sgt. Pepper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-minor7 Posted June 12, 2021 Share Posted June 12, 2021 If you only go for new knobs they will have to feature a screw in the top. You probably figured that. I replaced one of mine with a gold version that way. It's okay, but if you aim for classic white ovals, better change the whole thing - it'll be and look best. Had rather small golden oval-replacement knobs on my D-18 for a year or so, , , till finally bein' able to buy vintage oval Waverlys - ooooh, what a difference - 1 to 10, , and I never looked back. . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted June 12, 2021 Share Posted June 12, 2021 (edited) Maybe next string change on my D-35 I will get around to taking off the original closed back Grover's and install the open back ones I have had sitting around since last Xmas. I know I will have to drill out about a 1/4 inch on the top of the headstock to make room for the smash in grommet thing. And drill a little pilot hole for the second screw hole. Drills and guitars don't go together. I need to look and see if they sell conversion grommets and I won't have to drill. Someone must make that. Off to the Stew Mac site. Edited June 12, 2021 by Sgt. Pepper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rbpicker Posted June 12, 2021 Share Posted June 12, 2021 No, drills and guitars don’t mix well. Think hand reamer for the tuner post holes and pin vise drill for the little screw holes. rb 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-minor7 Posted June 12, 2021 Share Posted June 12, 2021 Had the same paranoia about drills and guitars / fragile headstocks ! But after rehearsing a bit on a plain block of wood I found out it wasn't that dangerous. Almost happened automatically. Just remember to use tape on the drill itself as a well-measured stop-point. Mark the 12 places, focus and pull the trigger - then press like a cat, , , not like dog or an asphalt-worker. . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boyd Posted June 12, 2021 Share Posted June 12, 2021 (edited) If you're talking about installing bushings in the large Grover holes to adapt "vintage" type tuners, that can be done with no drilling or reaming. Stew Mac makes a special tool for pressing them in. That's a bit too expensive for me, so when I installed bushings on my 2008 J-50, I just took a C-clamp and used a block of wood to protect the headstock. Then I slowly tightened the the clamp to press the bushing into place, very easy and it worked perfectly.. If you're going to re-drill the holes, be careful not to make them too large or the bushing will be loose. It's supposed to fit tightly into the hole. https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-tools-and-supplies/tools-by-job/tools-for-tuner-installation/tuner-bushing-press.html And I agree, use a little drill in a pin-vice or something similar to drill the screw holes. It would just be SO easy to go all the way through the headstock with an electric drill! Edited June 12, 2021 by Boyd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brucebubs Posted June 12, 2021 Share Posted June 12, 2021 7 hours ago, Sgt. Pepper said: Maybe next string change on my D-35 I will get around to taking off the original closed back Grover's and install the open back ones I have had sitting around since last Xmas. I know I will have to drill out about a 1/4 inch on the top of the headstock to make room for the smash in grommet thing. And drill a little pilot hole for the second screw hole. Drills and guitars don't go together. I need to look and see if they sell conversion grommets and I won't have to drill. Someone must make that. Off to the Stew Mac site. 2 things. On some guitars Martin 'step-drilled' the tuner holes in their headstocks, meaning the hole from the back might be larger than the hole from the front, you need to measure that and if that's the case then the push fit bushings with open gear tuners may fit without the need for 'conversion' bushings. Secondly, sealed gear tuners like Grover Rotomatics typically require a 13/32" (10.0mm) hole in the headstock where open gear tuners like Grover Sta-Tites use a smaller 11/32" (8.75mm) hole - therefore, usually going from sealed gear tuners to open gear tuners the existing hole is too big (unless the holes were step-drilled as mentioned above) In this case you can use a set of conversion bushings from Stewmac. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted June 13, 2021 Share Posted June 13, 2021 13 hours ago, Brucebubs said: 2 things. On some guitars Martin 'step-drilled' the tuner holes in their headstocks, meaning the hole from the back might be larger than the hole from the front, you need to measure that and if that's the case then the push fit bushings with open gear tuners may fit without the need for 'conversion' bushings. Secondly, sealed gear tuners like Grover Rotomatics typically require a 13/32" (10.0mm) hole in the headstock where open gear tuners like Grover Sta-Tites use a smaller 11/32" (8.75mm) hole - therefore, usually going from sealed gear tuners to open gear tuners the existing hole is too big (unless the holes were step-drilled as mentioned above) In this case you can use a set of conversion bushings from Stewmac. I changed the closed back Grovers on my 000-28 to open back and had to drill, so I am assuming I will need to do the same on my D-35. The 000 is a 2013 and the 35 is a 2015. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oswald Posted June 13, 2021 Share Posted June 13, 2021 On 6/12/2021 at 2:49 PM, shekie777 said: I'm interested in replacing the tuner buttons on the Grover Rotomatics that came stock on my 2019 J45, both for appearance and to lighten the weight at the headstock. I'm not up for doing a full replacement of the tuners themselves, just interested in replacing the buttons/knobs. I understand the weight savings will be minimal if I just replace the buttons. Can anyone recommend a website that sells replacements, preferably in white/cream/ivoroid, or maybe tortoise colored that just requires unscrewing the stock metal ones and screwing on the replacements? I don't mind spending a bit extra for better quality if there are in fact differences between what's available for purchase. Thanks You can find some good quality buttons here -- https://www.allparts.com/products/tk-7724-large-button-set-for-grover-tuners?_pos=7&_sid=59816fb20&_ss=r Some people at another guitar forum claim that these were made in Germany. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanvillRob Posted June 13, 2021 Share Posted June 13, 2021 I changed the Kluson tuners on my J-50 to some Grovers I had laying around, (the old Kluson's were binding up and made it hard for me to turn the guitar with my arthritis. I had my luthier do it....it did require some reaming out of the mounting holes....but the guitar is a 1975 model, so it doesn't have a lot of value. I'm very happy with the final results. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jibberish Posted June 13, 2021 Share Posted June 13, 2021 I do this on all guitars with those ugly and heavy Grovers. I would buy: 1) These: https://www.stewmac.com/waverly/waverly-guitar-tuners-with-ivoroid-knobs-for-solid-pegheads.html 2) Or these: https://www.stewmac.com/parts-and-hardware/tuning-machines/solid-peghead-guitar-tuning-machines/kluson-3-on-a-plate-deluxe-series-tuning-machines.html Your J-45 headstock will have a smaller hole for each machine post. The Waverly set requires the hole to be enlarged to 8.73mm and the Klusons an 8.8mm hole. It is indeed quite easy (I do it and I am not a guitar tech by any stretch). Should you take it up yourself, you will need this: https://www.homedepot.com/p/General-Tools-1-8-in-to-1-2-in-3-175-mm-to-12-7-mm-T-Handle-Reamer-130/309489883 Lastly, try to avoid the over-priced Stew Mac, and CHEERS TO YOU for being afraid to get rid of those stupid-arse muchroom tuners! 🍻 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbpark Posted June 14, 2021 Share Posted June 14, 2021 Replacing the tuner buttons and leaving the rest of the Rotomatic tuner on there really isn't going to give you much benefit. If you really want to do it for weight savings just ditch them altogether and install a set of 3 0n a plate Kluson Deluxes. It's not a tough job to swap them out, the original screw holes are completely covered and you wont ever know that the Rotomatics were ever on there. Next, pull out the stock LR Bags UST pickup and battery and with both of those changes you'll have shaved off a little over 1/2 pound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meanstreak Posted June 17, 2021 Share Posted June 17, 2021 On 6/12/2021 at 6:49 AM, shekie777 said: I'm interested in replacing the tuner buttons on the Grover Rotomatics that came stock on my 2019 J45, both for appearance and to lighten the weight at the headstock. I'm not up for doing a full replacement of the tuners themselves, just interested in replacing the buttons/knobs. I understand the weight savings will be minimal if I just replace the buttons. Can anyone recommend a website that sells replacements, preferably in white/cream/ivoroid, or maybe tortoise colored that just requires unscrewing the stock metal ones and screwing on the replacements? I don't mind spending a bit extra for better quality if there are in fact differences between what's available for purchase. Thanks How much you want for the old Rotomatics? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.