RASHARU Posted September 24, 2010 Share Posted September 24, 2010 As you may remember from a few posts back, I was considering many different tuner options to simply improve the "aesthetics" of my J-45 Custom. My particular guitar came new with the supposed "hand-engraved" gold bean shaped tuner buttons (on large gold Grover Rotomatics). I never thought that these tuners looked right on this style of guitar. I experimented with several different styles of replacement buttons (pearloid, gold, ivoroid, ebony) & I finally decided on some tulip shaped gold Grover Keystones .. with considerable input from many of you, I might add (thanks!). Well, today I finally took the plunge & installed a set of the TonePro Kluson Deluxe tuners in vintage nickel (TPKB3-N). This is the set with the larger sized threaded bushings to fit the modern larger headstock holes. I must say that these tuners fit (and operate) like a dream. I couldn't be happier with them. Yes, it was indeed a sickening feeling to drill (6) additional screw holes in the back of my headstock .. but strangely enough, each hole got a little easier to stomach as I went along. I'm posting this info just to let everyone know that this upgrade project was fairly easy & in-expensive, not to mention a major improvement to the looks of my guitar. The washers under the threaded bushings were an exact size match to the original Grovers so there were no visible "rings" left in the clearcoat. I would suggest this upgrade to anyone looking to gain a more "vintage" or "Gibby correct" look. I've attached a couple of photos to show the comparison. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buc McMaster Posted September 24, 2010 Share Posted September 24, 2010 Most excellent upgrade! The single-ring tulips (some call them keystones) look much better and, as you say, have a much more Gibsonesque look. Good choice!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigKahune Posted September 24, 2010 Share Posted September 24, 2010 Very nice indeed. B) Man, I'd need threapy to drill on a beauty like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albertjohn Posted September 24, 2010 Share Posted September 24, 2010 Very nice indeed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RASHARU Posted September 24, 2010 Author Share Posted September 24, 2010 Man, I'd need threapy to drill on a beauty like that. Yeah. I'd been considering selling this guitar but I finally decided to just "make it my own" instead. I know it's usually a TERRIBLE idea to fix things that ain't broke (ie: the Grovers) but I just wasn't diggin' the factory style. I put a K&K Pure Mini in it too while I had the strings off. It should be interesting to hear how that worked out sometime later today when I plug 'er up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onewilyfool Posted September 24, 2010 Share Posted September 24, 2010 Looks good.......can I have your old Grovers???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danner Posted September 24, 2010 Share Posted September 24, 2010 Nice! Can you post a picture of the back side view? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RASHARU Posted September 24, 2010 Author Share Posted September 24, 2010 Nice! Can you post a picture of the back side view? The bottom screw hole of each new tuner block lined up perfectly with the original Grover holes. I simply had to drill a pilot hole for each of the top screws (I did this AFTER I had totally mounted everything else.. including the threaded bushings on the front). I figured this method would help prevent any crooked tuners. Hope this info helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RASHARU Posted September 24, 2010 Author Share Posted September 24, 2010 Looks good.......can I have your old Grovers???? I'll trade you my old Grovers for that sweeeet L-20. Heck, I'll even throw in all the extra buttons I tried! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danner Posted September 24, 2010 Share Posted September 24, 2010 The bottom screw hole of each new tuner block lined up perfectly with the original Grover holes. I simply had to drill a pilot hole for each of the top screws (I did this AFTER I had totally mounted everything else.. including the threaded bushings on the front). I figured this method would help prevent any crooked tuners. Hope this info helps. OK, cool. I was wondering how you oriented them. Nice that the existing holes did that for you.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RASHARU Posted September 24, 2010 Author Share Posted September 24, 2010 OK, cool. I was wondering how you oriented them. Nice that the existing holes did that for you.. Well .. that's sort of true. Gibby definitely didn't do a fantastic job with their original tuner alignment so I kind of "manipulated" the final placement with that second (new) screw hole position. There's actually a tiny bit of wiggle room if needed. I hope that makes sense. You just have to take your time & trust your eye. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tennroots Posted September 25, 2010 Share Posted September 25, 2010 I put the Kluson SD90SLN model tuners on both my J-45TV & My L-50, I like the aged keystone look and feel. I didn't have to drill any holes, the bushing/tuner posts were exactly the same size. Totally glad I did it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RASHARU Posted September 26, 2010 Author Share Posted September 26, 2010 After playing around with this guitar for a few days now, I have to say that I can tell a distinct difference in the "headstock weight" .. which I never thought would actually make any noticeable difference, to be honest. This tuner upgrade has apparently changed the "feel" of my guitar in addition to the cool look of the keystones. Strange, huh?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larryp58 Posted September 28, 2010 Share Posted September 28, 2010 Very nice, indeed! A good upgrade that enhanced the look by far! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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