question regarding tuning heads

[JJretroTONEGOD]

Hi I own a Danelectro DC59' 12 string guitar and want to change all the tuning heads but have never done this before. Before I go buying anything I could do with some advice...

I've been looking at either schaller or sperzel tuning heads but will this actually improve the chances of it staying in tune?

there are a couple of issues, the main one being that the tuning heads are much closer to each other than normal, and also how do I go about buying the replacement heads? do I get 2x regular sets,

any advice would be appreciated...

regards,

Ben.

[JJretroTONEGOD]

meh

[FELINEGUITARS]

The sperzel are pretty light , although you'd need to get the small button ones - which will have staggered posts unless specially ordered. That needn't be a problem though as with 12 tuners you can group them in arrays of 4 according to post height.
Sperzels can go fairly close together too and if you have the locking ones it makes restringing a 12 string less irksome and with a standard Dano bridge it will make it easier to not have the strings constantly unhook at that end when restringing.

They will need 10mm diameter holes though....

[JJretroTONEGOD]

The sperzel are pretty light , although you'd need to get the small button ones - which will have staggered posts unless specially ordered. That needn't be a problem though as with 12 tuners you can group them in arrays of 4 according to post height.
Sperzels can go fairly close together too and if you have the locking ones it makes restringing a 12 string less irksome and with a standard Dano bridge it will make it easier to not have the strings constantly unhook at that end when restringing.

They will need 10mm diameter holes though....

well I ended up getting 2 x sets of 3L/3R schaller m6 mini's because I couldn't find a 6L/6R set. I checked the dimensions and they should fit well but I may need to drill new 10mm holes, if I do it myself I'm going to have to be extra carefull so not sure, will update this again when they arrive

[JJretroTONEGOD]

do you know if it's crucial to get the 6L/6R set?

[AndyR]

I've got a quick question JJ - what's the nut made of on your Dano? Is it the aluminium one?

I've got a 6 string 59 and initially had awful trouble with tuning. It was all down to the nut in my case. I've kept the same nut but did a lot of fiddling to get the strings passing through it smoothly. Works well now - stays in tune nicely - and the tuners feel solid and perfectly up to the job.

(Having said that, I'm guessing the 12 has different tuners than the 6)

[JJretroTONEGOD]

I've got a quick question JJ - what's the nut made of on your Dano? Is it the aluminium one?

I've got a 6 string 59 and initially had awful trouble with tuning. It was all down to the nut in my case. I've kept the same nut but did a lot of fiddling to get the strings passing through it smoothly. Works well now - stays in tune nicely - and the tuners feel solid and perfectly up to the job.

(Having said that, I'm guessing the 12 has different tuners than the 6)

the nut is aluminium yes but it seems well made and I'm not unhappy with it, there is no buzz or anything unusual and the strings pass though, I actually think it's perfect so maybe I got a good one? My theory is that if it's working fine, don't try and fix it.

My tuning problems aren't really severe but I think getting the new tuners will improve the way they 'hold' if you know what I mean, which I have found to be a bit more important on the 12 strings because of the extra tension they are holding. The tuners are a smaller size than the 6 and have a no make satin chrome finish, mine is the 2009 model.

Have you got the stock pickups? I'm also thinking of upgrading them too to seymour duncans and replacing the pots to higher quality ones. It's a real shame that BKP don't make lipsticks, they'd be amazing!

[AndyR]

If BKP made lipsticks I'd have them by now! :lol:

I don't mind the stock ones, except I can't use the bridge or neck on their own without changing the amp settings. The sounds are just too different for me (Philly would probably like it!).

The middle in series setting is fab though...

[Philly Q]

I don't mind the stock ones, except I can't use the bridge or neck on their own without changing the amp settings. The sounds are just too different for me (Philly would probably like it!).

What, extreme difference between the two?

On the 12-string question, I'd have thought it's important to get the lightest tuners you can, otherwise the guitar will presumably be terribly neck-heavy?

[JJretroTONEGOD]

just to let you know the schallers came yesterday and they look great, and fitted perfectly, for the first time ever it stays in tune....properly now. It has also changed the angle of the strings slightly behind the headstock which seems to have improved tuning stability because now the strings are resting correctly on the nut.

before:


Danelectro DC-12. Front View (before restoration) by btyreman, on Flickr


Danelectro DC-12 Back view (before restoration) by btyreman, on Flickr

and now AFTER schallers were installed;


Danelectro DC-12 front view (after restoration) with new tuners. by btyreman, on Flickr


Danelectro DC-12 back view (after restoration) with new tuners. by btyreman, on Flickr

closeup;


Danelectro DC-12 headstock; all strung up. Front view. by btyreman, on Flickr


Danelectro DC-12 headstock; all strung up. back view. by btyreman, on Flickr

[JJretroTONEGOD]

now updated with pics

[38thBeatle]

Looks cool.

[JJretroTONEGOD]

Looks cool.

thanks mr38th

[Telerocker]

Nice tuners for sure. Have fun with this axe.

[JJretroTONEGOD]

Nice tuners for sure. Have fun with this axe.

yeah, they are MUCH better than stock now I've been playing with it for a while, I've also adjusted the action and intonation which is now as perfect as it could possibly be. I may change the bridge to a gotoh one though, but for now will keep it how it is....