More Machinehead/tuner replacement questions

[phlip]

Hi,
I'm after some new machineheads for my Les Paul But on a budget I've been looking on http://www.axesrus.com/axemachine.htm

Would the £23.00 PER SET WILKINSON 3X3 LOCKING ROTOMATICS IN CHROME OR GOLD OR BLACK (Black :0) be a direct replacement for the ones pictured without any re-drilling. I don't mind if a screw hole is visable.

The hole in the headstock is 10mm.

[Ratrod]

I think you need to drill.

Check out the StewMac site. They list all of their tuners with measurements.

[badgermark]

the wilkinsons are 3/8", which i'm pretty sure are 10mm. I don't have a clue about conversion bushings though, don't think they're many headstocks with machinehead holes larger than 10mm.

[Lord Blakers]

These will fit without drilling. 3/8" = 10mm

I fitted some Grover lockings to my SG which:

1. Screwed with the balance of the guitar cos they weigh so much.
2. Didn't look anywhere near as nice as the Kluson tuners

So bought some Tonepros Kluson tuners instead - they look like Kluson tuners but with 15/1 ratio and a much nicer action. Guitar stays in tune now too, which is always good.

[Philly Q]

Ah, I can never resist a tuner question! 

If the Wilkinsons are the same size as Grover Rotomatics, the screw holes should just about line up with the lower holes left by the Gibson/"Kluson" tuners.  And they will fit the 10mm holes, without any modification.

I agree with Monkey that TonePros/Klusons would look nicer, but I think they're a fair bit more expensive.

[Lord Blakers]

If they are the same size as the Grovers, they unfortunately won't fit into the lower holes and the upper holes will be visible.
At least that was case with my SG.

I bought my Tonepros Kluson tuners from a US Ebay seller - cost about £30, including the slightly more expensive delivery option (took about 5-6 days).

http://cgi.ebay.com/TonePros-Kluson-3X3-Tuners-TPKB3C-upgrade-your-tuners_W0QQitemZ300238910357QQihZ020QQcategoryZ41434QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262

Bargain!

[FELINEGUITARS]

We keep the tonepros Klusons in stock if you want to use a UK supplier and not have to deal with international shipping / customs / duty  etc
£47

[phlip]

Well i bought and fitted the Wilkinsons over the weekend and I must say for the price I'm impressed.
No mods required to directly swap out the cheapy Kulson copies which were on there the Scew holes 'just' lined up with the bottom set. They're smooth self locking and do the job very well indeed.

[badgermark]

I also just this second finished installing the 6 in a line mini locking tuners. Went on no problem (accidentally drilled right through the headstock for one retaining screw. woops). after some cursing on how to work the buggers they are in and solid. Pretty impressive for something so cheap, though they don't cover up the two pins the old tuners needed on the back on the MIM headstock. Oh well, this is my RAWK telecaster anyway.

Also upped to using a wound third string. Welcome to Man Land, population, me.

[AndyR]

Also upped to using a wound third string. Welcome to Man Land, population, me.

 :lol: :lol: :lol:

You jazzer!  :D

[phlip]

after some cursing on how to work the buggers they are in and solid.

I had the same issue until I realised there is no working, feed the string through and just turn the peg until it bites and it self tightens, After much playing over the weekend I'm still in tune which is a new record for my Les Paul.

[badgermark]

after some cursing on how to work the buggers they are in and solid.

I had the same issue until I realised there is no working, feed the string through and just turn the peg until it bites and it self tightens, After much playing over the weekend I'm still in tune which is a new record for my Les Paul.

I had to slacken the top nut part, string in and kink then tighten. Takes bloody ages to tighten to pitch though! String winders are a must have.

Andy not a Jazzer! Just someone who likes playing open chords and octave slides, an unwound open G always sounds wrong.