Author Topic: Confirm my suspicions please (Read 2248 times)

Dakine · « **on:** June 29, 2006, 10:49:17 PM »

Has anyone replaced the tuners on a Gibson guitar with locking tuners (as Sperzel for instance)?
If so, was an extra hole needing to be drilled? Or any significant changes made to be able to fit?

Thanks,
Nick

FELINEGUITARS · « **Reply #1 on:** June 30, 2006, 12:28:13 AM »

Yep - the sperzels need an estra hole drilling for a locating pin on the rear of the tuner. The drill size is an odd one to get perfect- they say 2.7mm which is about 0.106" - think we use a 100 thou drill for a snug fit (0.100")

There is a template on the side of the sperzel packet but an engineers square is really useful to get it dead straight on a 6 in line headstock - assuming for the explorer here??)

WE use 3 of these at a time with a steel rule along the side to get accuracy

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Jigs/Tuner_Pin_Drill_Jig.html

blue · « **Reply #2 on:** June 30, 2006, 12:38:34 AM »

i've got a les paul with locking grovers. they were already on the guitar when i got it, but i know they were direct replacements for the original machines. of course, not all gibsons have grovers. i've got a couple of other guitars with the sperzel tuners, and they are excellent, both the locking and non-locking ones. they're the best locking tuners i've seen, although it is a fairly short list...

Dakine · « **Reply #3 on:** June 30, 2006, 02:50:07 PM »

Thanks guys, is as I thought.
If can get my Dad's garage/workshop sorted abit will attempt sometime, if not luthier job I reckon.

rinse_master · « **Reply #4 on:** June 30, 2006, 03:06:01 PM »

I have locking Grovers on one (A direct replacement) and locking Klusons on the other (another deirect replacement)