Grover Deluxe Tulips - Changing the Tulip Head.

[Glasshock]

I recently picked up a lovely sounding/playing  2016 J-45.  I had a 1967 stolen after stupidly leaving it on the back seat of my car. Only 10 minutes but still, stupidity of the highest order.

This recent purchase took some time as I couldn't find another J-45 that gave me the goosebumps of my dearly departed friend. Anyway, the guitar is great in all aspects other than its Gold Grover Deluxe Tulip tuners. Save the obvious deluge of disgust please, each to his own right?  The problem I have is that I LOVE these tuners in general. I have a nickel set put aside after bumping into them at a recent yard sale. My eventual question is, can the tulip heads be replaced with something a little less intrusive such as a standard button/kidney etc?

Don't get me wrong, to many fellow Gibson owner's discomfort, I actually have no problem with the larger Tulips on a sloped shoulder J-45. I think the J-160E looked fantastic. Again, each to his own. Ease of tuning, stable tuning and sound come before aesthetics for me. But they are of course a very close second. I'd simply like to explore different looks but keep my old friend the Grover Deluxe mechanics. 

In brief, has anyone ever changed the tulip head?

Thanks in advance all!

 

[Glasshock]

I should clarify, that they are Grover Vintage 135n's.

 

[Boyd]

WD Music Products has some different varieties

 

https://www.wdmusic.com/tuning-machines-parts-bushings-and-washers.html

[Glasshock]

Thanks, Boyd, I'll check them out.

Just found this little video while digging around. Old news for some but still worth regurgitating. This application would apply to the Deluxe Grovers as they are not screw-fixed.

 

[dhanners623]

Frank Ford describes his process: http://frets.com/FretsPages/Luthier/Technique/Tuners/NewButton/newbutton.html

[Glasshock]

Great stuff dhanners623. Thanks for that.

 

[Boyd]

Just did a search for Grover 135N and I see they appear to be Grover's version of vintage Klusons. They look similar to the Grovers on my 2020 J-50 60's original (although mine are 3-on-a-strip). Anyway, I was thinking of the Grover Rotomatics where the buttons are attached with screws and easily changed, sorry.

StewMac has a variety of buttons, see also the "trade secrets" and installation guide at the bottom of the page

 

https://www.stewmac.com/parts-and-hardware/tuning-machines/tuner-parts/vintage-style-tuner-knobs/

Edited August 7, 2022 by Boyd

[Glasshock]

Hey Boyd, no worries mate. I can overwrite at times, which takes the sting out of the issue at hand. This looks great. I don't suppose many have this same issue. If you put those particular Grovers on, it's usually on a guitar that it suits, more or less. I'm not too sure about the aesthetics of the sloped shoulder against those tulip heads. Many would also just swap out the tuners for a new kit altogether but I really do like these Grovers as they've never let me down on other guitars and they are a straight dunk-in for the Rotomatics also, thus...no bushings are required.

Anyway, thanks again, and I'll keep the gang posted with the results and fruits of my labour, good or bad.

Cheers!

[DanvillRob]

Glasshock.... I did the opposite.... I was given an old J-50 by my staff when I retired.   it's a 1975 and had Kluson tuners on it with the 'butter bean' buttons.    They were old, and very hard for me to twist (arthritis)....so I had an old set of gold-plated Grovers laying around, and had my luthier put them on the guitar.   I like 'em!   I guess that's why you can order your steak rare, medium rare, medium, medium well or well, eh?

 

 

[Murph]

26 minutes ago, DanvillRob said:

Glasshock.... I did the opposite.... I was given an old J-50 by my staff when I retired.   it's a 1975 and had Kluson tuners on it with the 'butter bean' buttons.    They were old, and very hard for me to twist (arthritis)....so I had an old set of gold-plated Grovers laying around, and had my luthier put them on the guitar.   I like 'em!   I guess that's why you can order your steak rare, medium rare, medium, medium well or well, eh?

 

 

I love the gold Grovers on my J-45. Worn but work perfect.

[Glasshock]

On 8/8/2022 at 9:47 AM, DanvillRob said:

Glasshock.... I did the opposite.... I was given an old J-50 by my staff when I retired.   it's a 1975 and had Kluson tuners on it with the 'butter bean' buttons.    They were old, and very hard for me to twist (arthritis)....so I had an old set of gold-plated Grovers laying around, and had my luthier put them on the guitar.   I like 'em!   I guess that's why you can order your steak rare, medium rare, medium, medium well or well, eh?

 

 

Hi Rob, that's a great looking 50! Thanks for the tale, nice gift and appreciation there also. I actually really like the Grovers for similar reasons. I'm getting older, fingers are getting fatter and they are just so easy to use. I also like the look of the old J-160E. I'm going to switch the gold for nickel as it's more my taste and enjoy them! Cheers.

[DanvillRob]

3 minutes ago, Glasshock said:

Hi Rob, that's a great looking 50! Thanks for the tale, nice gift and appreciation there also. I actually really like the Grovers for similar reasons. I'm getting older, fingers are getting fatter and they are just so easy to use. I also like the look of the old J-160E. I'm going to switch the gold for nickel as it's more my taste and enjoy them! Cheers.

Glass....I have nickel Grovers on my Dove...they were on it when I got it in 1980  or so, (from my darling wife).   I wouldn't have changed the tuners on the J-50....but they were just too hard to turn....I have Kluson's on another guitar I have...and have had it since about 1972 or so...and they still work great.