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| Author: | Beth Mayer [ Thu Jan 27, 2011 11:42 am ] |
| Post subject: | Tuner preferences |
Hello All, I have questions about tuners for steel string guitar. I used Waverly's on Guitar #1 and love them, but have a number of other guitars with a variety of tuners on them. I am making guitar #2, and although I want each instrument to be as excellent as possible, I'm trying to decide if spending, say, $100 more for a set (eg: Waverly vs Schaller or Gotoh) makes all the difference. (My first guitars I am not trying to sell, but will be loaning, gifting, or giving for materials cost, in order to get experience without putting my name on one yet). How important is gear ratio? What do you like to use, or do you vary your brand for different styles of guitar (slotted, vs solid x 6 vs solid x in-line). Thanks. As always, I appreciate the input and couldn't find a useful discussion on this. Beth |
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| Author: | Colin North [ Fri Jan 28, 2011 8:34 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Tuner preferences |
Like yourself, I'm just a newbie building and used Gotoh's (nice) for the first, but I have used Wilkinson's for the last couple of guitars and have been pleasantly surprised with the quality for the cost, but I think they only came in 14:1 ratio, which I find OK. and none of the many people playing them have found anthing to criitisise about them. Waverley's etc are just a dream at the moment! When I can make guitars with more control over the results and a good finish I will consider the more expensive tuners. |
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| Author: | Haans [ Fri Jan 28, 2011 8:56 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Tuner preferences |
Grover Stay-Tites...18/1 gear ratio. Cheap too. |
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| Author: | alan stassforth [ Fri Jan 28, 2011 9:29 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Tuner preferences |
Gotoh contour. I like the modern look, and the ratio is really sweet! |
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| Author: | Laurent Brondel [ Fri Jan 28, 2011 9:53 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Tuner preferences |
Waverlies without question, unless other tuners are requested. For my Essential series I mostly use Hipshot open back tuners, excellent value and quality and made in the US. Re-gear ratio: beyond 15:1 I feel it's pure marketing, I'd be happy with 12:1. The Gotoh 510 are nice, but the higher gear ratio does not mean it's in tune better: it just takes longer to get there . Annoying when you change tunings often. |
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| Author: | JJ Donohue [ Fri Jan 28, 2011 10:43 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Tuner preferences |
Haans wrote: Grover Stay-Tites...18/1 gear ratio. Cheap too. I like these as well. In addition, should you ever wish to upgrade to Waverly's, they are an identical drop in replacement. |
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| Author: | Fred Tellier [ Fri Jan 28, 2011 10:57 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Tuner preferences |
Quote: Grover Stay-Tites...18/1 gear ratio. Cheap too I have used 10 sets of these and have been fairly happy but the last few sets have had a huge amount of slop in at least one tuner right out of the and I am thinking that their quality has slipped from a few years back. I am at the point that I will have to have an extra set around so I can replace the sloppy ones. This would still be cheaper than most other open back tuners and once the bad ones are removed the set works well. Fred |
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| Author: | TimAllen [ Fri Jan 28, 2011 1:00 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Tuner preferences |
It's popular now to use either vintage-style tuners or Gotoh contour tuners. However, the full-size Schaller tuners work extremely well and are durable. Elderly has them on sale for $40, including shipping. Hard to beat... http://www.elderly.com/accessories/items/M6.htm |
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| Author: | Haans [ Fri Jan 28, 2011 1:27 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Tuner preferences |
Fred, I haven't had that experience, but that is good to know... As far as Waverys,  I'll put them on if someone wants them, but personally, I don't see any difference except the name...Their mandolin tuners are pretty too...pretty expensive at $400. I used to put them on if that's what the customer wanted too. |
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| Author: | Jeff Highland [ Fri Jan 28, 2011 3:50 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Tuner preferences |
Fred Tellier wrote: Quote: Grover Stay-Tites...18/1 gear ratio. Cheap too I have used 10 sets of these and have been fairly happy but the last few sets have had a huge amount of slop in at least one tuner right out of the and I am thinking that their quality has slipped from a few years back. I am at the point that I will have to have an extra set around so I can replace the sloppy ones. This would still be cheaper than most other open back tuners and once the bad ones are removed the set works well. Fred I put a set of these on a guitar about 3 years ago and the one tuner was very sloppy with a lot of backlash. When I finally took it off and apart last week I found that the two nylon bushings on the worm shaft were installed around the wrong way. They are the same OD but different ID. With the large ID one installed under the end washer and the small on the worm side all was well. |
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| Author: | B. Howard [ Fri Jan 28, 2011 7:59 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Tuner preferences |
To me some of it depends on the end use. I have always preferred a closed tuner on anything that's going out a lot. Schaller M6's have been my personal favorite and I have them on all but one of my personal guitars. On something more for studio or private use, so to speak, it becomes more a matter of aesthetics and budgets. Brian |
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| Author: | Dave Rickard [ Fri Jan 28, 2011 9:45 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Tuner preferences |
JJ Donohue wrote: Haans wrote: Grover Stay-Tites...18/1 gear ratio. Cheap too. I like these as well. In addition, should you ever wish to upgrade to Waverly's, they are an identical drop in replacement. Same here |
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| Author: | JasonMoe [ Sat Jan 29, 2011 10:29 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Tuner preferences |
I like Grover Rotomatic and locking, for the money and reliability, Gotoh 510 if you want something more smooth and flowing. Schaller mini series sells knobs for the M-6 series. I wish there were more different knobs available for Grovers. Maybe there is, anyone? |
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