eddy jaye Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 Hi! all Gibson lovers, This is my first.This my first time at trying to find help, so please excuse my stupidity with my question. I have a 1963 Gibson J-50 which plays & sounds great, except for staying in tune for any length of time.When I purchased the guitar in 1970 the original owner had allready switched the tuning machines to six single chrome "no name" ones. Although they look nice they just don't do the job. So here's my problem. I would like to install locking tuning machines as replacements. I would like to put on the Rover roto-grip lock style in a gold color to match the Gibson gold logo, along with new gold strap-locks.This all sounds good to me in theory,but my big question is very simple. Will it work?? Please-please help me out here. I would gratly appreciate any suggestions any of you could give me. I am truly gratefull for the time you took to read this. Many thanks, Eddy Jaye Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponty Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 Yes, it will all work...but, you will almost certainly have the following hurdles. 1) Screw holes wont match up. You may have to fill and drill. 2) The hole in the headstock may not be the right size for the grovers, therefore alteration may be needed I have never used locking tuners. Manufactures claim they hold tune better. I am skeptical about this! A properly applied string will not slip. I have never had tuning issues for the want of locking tuners.Just another opinion! Consider using Tonepros TPKBW Klusons - white knob - very appropriate for a 63 J-45. I use them on my 93 J-45s and they are excellent. Also, Kluson themselves have great sets of tuners. All available in gold. You will get lots of advice here. Check the web to check what is available, pros and cons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stubee Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 IME many tuning issues are nut/other build stuff vs. tuners. Done fine with Kluson--style tuners on many old & newer Gibsons. That said, I've changed old gear tuners because they were just shot but suggesting ya also have nut & general stuff checked out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
struma6 Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 I 100% agree with the "more often than not it's the nut not the tuner". Not to say it ISN'T the tuner that's bad here, just sayin'! My take on the locking tuners is: I put them on all the electrics I built, they're great for them! The down-side on a nice acoustic is the heft. They are heavier than a non-locking tuner and MAY give you a weight balance problem (neck heavy) Replacing the tuners is fairly simple and relatively cheap so, why not? I'd go with a good quality non-locking tuner myself. Oh, just an aside, I can't tell you how often somebody brought their guitar to me saying the tuners were bad and what I found out was they didn't understand how to string the guitar up in a way that gave it stability. Absolutely NOT saying you don't know how to string your guitar up, just saying I've seen that a LOT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 Oh, just an aside, I can't tell you how often somebody brought their guitar to me saying the tuners were bad and what I found out was they didn't understand how to string the guitar up in a way that gave it stability. Absolutely NOT saying you don't know how to string your guitar up, just saying I've seen that a LOT. Couldn't agree more. To my chagrin, I discovered a few years ago that I had been doing it wrong for 30 years! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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