Author Topic: Fitting Grover to a LP Studio (Read 5166 times)

Jazz Rock · « **on:** December 04, 2007, 08:23:55 PM »

Would it require to drill new holes for the screws and enlarge the hole for the tuner or would fit using what is there already?

For the moment I have the stock keystone. The one on the G-string has been going funny since one of my strap failed and don't really fancy their look anyway.

PhilKing · « **Reply #1 on:** December 04, 2007, 09:36:21 PM »

Usually for Grovers you need to widen the holes. The best tool for this is a reamer, trying to use a drill without the right drill press will bring tears.

Philly Q · « **Reply #2 on:** December 07, 2007, 10:55:42 PM »

If your current tuners are like this, with a hexagonal nut and washer, the Grovers should fit with no modification. If the Grovers are full-size Rotomatics, even the screw holes should line up.

If your current tuners are like the one below, with a press-in bushing, then you'll need to enlarge the holes as Phil said:

Jazz Rock · « **Reply #3 on:** December 11, 2007, 10:23:47 PM »

Brill!!! My tuners have the hexagonal nut and washer... Strangely enough though, My tuner is exactly like the first one if it wasn't for the tulip head which is as per the second pic. Does it change anything to the ending of the story?

Philly Q · « **Reply #4 on:** December 11, 2007, 10:34:45 PM »

No, same ending! :)

Most new Kluson-style tuners have the single-ring tulip head. I just looked at my Gibson set and they're the same as yours. I couldn't find a good pic of the Gibsons so I used that Schaller one.

Jazz Rock · « **Reply #5 on:** December 11, 2007, 10:59:34 PM »

One last question:

Will the rotomatic from Wilkinson be the same dimensions. That's all I couldn't find on Axes'r'us? Are these good tuners as well or I should really go with the original.

Actually, they also had the rotomatic from Grover, but the locking version. Doesn't seem to match exactly size wise. Aslo is there a real benefit in using locking tuner on a fixed bridge guitar?

Jonesy76 · « **Reply #6 on:** December 11, 2007, 11:15:30 PM »

I tried the Wilkinson Grover Rotomatic copies...........don't! :(

They're good, but only if your original tuners are utterly hopeless. If you want a proper upgrade to your tuners don't be a cheapskate and buy the proper Grover variants.

Quick pointer for tuner replacements.........
If the post that the string fits into has any movement in the actual machinehead before you fit it to the headstock, you're not going to have real stability. Grovers when taken out of their packaging are rock solid.

Philly Q · « **Reply #7 on:** December 12, 2007, 01:09:32 AM »

Agreed, the Wilkinsons aren't any kind of upgrade on the Gibson/Schaller tuners you've already got. They're good for the price, but no more than that.

The locking Rotomatics are a slightly different size from the non-locking ones, presumably they're manufactured at a different factory. But the screw holes still line up - just.

As for the benefits of locking tuners on a fixed bridge guitar, you might get marginally better tuning stability, but the main advantage is easier string changes. That's why I like them, anyway!

Jazz Rock · « **Reply #8 on:** December 12, 2007, 07:19:53 PM »

Cheers Philly PDT_003

Oh! by the way, Quality wise, are they going to be better than the originals? Or is it just gonna give the look I am after?

Philly Q · « **Reply #9 on:** December 12, 2007, 07:41:34 PM »

I know Jonesy's a fan of Grovers, I find them a bit chunky/heavy but that's not really much of an issue on an LP, it's a heavyweight guitar already.

Performance-wise, the Grovers are deffo better than the Gibson tuners - nice smooth feel and good tuning stability.