Official Luthiers Forum!

Owned and operated by Lance Kragenbrink
It is currently Sat Jul 19, 2025 6:41 pm


All times are UTC - 5 hours


Forum rules


Be nice, no cussin and enjoy!




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 9 posts ] 
Author Message
 Post subject: Tuning machine design
PostPosted: Wed Nov 09, 2016 5:52 pm 
Offline
Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood
User avatar

Joined: Mon Jul 27, 2015 8:21 am
Posts: 3727
First name: Brad
Last Name: Combs
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Hello,

I'm wondering what tuning machines you guys like to use? And let me explain why I'm asking. I've done a fair amount of searching for different styles, makes, etc... and while I've found some that I like in terms of design, I haven't found any that exactly meet what I'm going for. I prefer more of a modern design overall. So clean lines, not ornate, probably black or chrome only. Maybe wood buttons (but probably only ebony or dark wood). I've used some of the Gotoh tuners as well as Rubner.

Question: Outside of SM and LMI, where do you guys like to get tuning machines? I understand that the guitar has a lot of history in terms of style and most of the tuning machines give a nod to that style. I'm just wondering if there are lesser known but quality suppliers who have a more modern feel to them. Hopefully that makes sense. Not trying to start a holy war of design. Just wondering if I'm not seeing all the options available. :)

Thanks!
Brad


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

_________________
Insta - https://www.instagram.com/cbcguitars/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cbcguitars


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Wed Nov 09, 2016 7:05 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Sun Mar 06, 2011 12:04 am
Posts: 5895
First name: Chris
Last Name: Pile
City: Wichita
State: Kansas
Country: Good old US of A
Focus: Repair
Status: Professional
Since I'm a Hipshot dealer I'm a little partial to them... I like their locking tuners in chrome, with the standard buttons.

_________________
"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince



These users thanked the author Chris Pile for the post: bcombs510 (Wed Nov 09, 2016 7:55 pm)
Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Wed Nov 09, 2016 7:43 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member

Joined: Fri May 09, 2008 2:25 pm
Posts: 1958
First name: George
City: Seattle
State: WA
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Maybe you've already seen the Schertler tuners on Stew-Mac? I've not tried them yet, but plan to soon. I think they have a nice, modern look and I've read positive comments about them by some highly reputable luthiers.

http://www.stewmac.com/Hardware_and_Par ... Knobs.html

_________________
George :-)



These users thanked the author George L for the post: bcombs510 (Wed Nov 09, 2016 7:55 pm)
Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Thu Nov 10, 2016 6:01 am 
Offline
Old Growth Brazilian Rosewood
Old Growth Brazilian Rosewood
User avatar

Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2007 9:49 am
Posts: 13631
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
First name: Hesh
Last Name: Breakstone
City: Ann Arbor
State: Michigan
Country: United States
Status: Professional
Just worked on a 1936 G*bson L-12 in like new condition.... and it had very cool gold Grover open backs on it that all still worked great. Lubed those puppies up and spun them in my drill and they work great again.

I like Waverly for high end, Grover open backs and roto-matics depending on the applications. I've had good luck with Gotoh 510 "contour" tuners but hate the 18:1 and 21:1 ratios and don't have all day to twist tuners.

Lots of great tuners out here and the Stew-Mac Golden age tuners are pretty impressive too if you need a distressed patina.

On acoustics I always went for light weight and high quality open backs. On electrics some of the self-locking tuners are pretty cool and fast for string changes.

The ugliest and cheapest looking tuners that I have ever seen (and used) are the new G*bson auto tuners.... what junk.



These users thanked the author Hesh for the post: bcombs510 (Thu Nov 10, 2016 7:50 am)
Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Thu Nov 10, 2016 10:12 am 
Offline
Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood
User avatar

Joined: Mon Jul 27, 2015 8:21 am
Posts: 3727
First name: Brad
Last Name: Combs
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Thanks for the feedback. I do like the look of the Schertler tuners, George. I also like these from Rubner, but maybe in the chrome with the rectangular buttons. http://www.rubnertuners.com/hauser-styl ... with-ebony

_________________
Insta - https://www.instagram.com/cbcguitars/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cbcguitars


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Thu Nov 10, 2016 10:24 am 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2014 10:02 am
Posts: 513
First name: Daniel
Last Name: Petrzelka
State: Washington
Country: United States
Focus: Build
These two are true craftsman in the field of intrument tuners:


Robson Tuners - http://www.robsontuners.com/
They offer a wide range of impeccably crafted tuners - specifgically some of thier closed gear options, with deco inspired buttons, might be headed the right direction for you. They have an open backed version that is also very clean.
Modern comapred to many tuners, but with a deep sense of architectural history.


VS Tuners - http://www.vstuners.com.br/
Victor Scatena's work is likely more ornate and delicate that you are looking for, but create a great balance of vintage inspiration with a modern touches. He makes them for many stringed instruments, but maybe not steel string.



These users thanked the author dpetrzelka for the post: bcombs510 (Thu Nov 10, 2016 11:09 am)
Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sun Nov 13, 2016 4:48 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Mon Jun 04, 2007 3:31 am
Posts: 904
Location: Candler, NC United States
My go-to's are Gotohs... sorry. I do love the 510's in cosmo black and gold with black buttons. I've used the Schertlers several times and love their aesthetic, but they're nowhere near as smooth as 510's. They have considerable backlash as well. I also like Waverlies and the SM Golden Age stuff for vintage replacement. For something really special, check out Rodgers and Nicola Alessi.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

_________________
Mountain Song Guitars www.mountainsongguitars.com



These users thanked the author Ken Jones for the post (total 2): bcombs510 (Mon Nov 14, 2016 7:02 am) • George L (Sun Nov 13, 2016 5:23 pm)
Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sun Nov 13, 2016 5:22 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member

Joined: Fri May 09, 2008 2:25 pm
Posts: 1958
First name: George
City: Seattle
State: WA
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Ken Jones wrote:
I've used the Schertlers several times and love their aesthetic, but they're nowhere near as smooth as 510's. They have considerable backlash as well.

Good to know! I've not heard of this before. I still plan to check them out, but will do so with a slightly more critical eye. [:Y:]

_________________
George :-)


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sun Nov 13, 2016 7:53 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Mon Jun 04, 2007 3:31 am
Posts: 904
Location: Candler, NC United States
George L wrote:
Ken Jones wrote:
I've used the Schertlers several times and love their aesthetic, but they're nowhere near as smooth as 510's. They have considerable backlash as well.

Good to know! I've not heard of this before. I still plan to check them out, but will do so with a slightly more critical eye. [:Y:]

I've used four sets and they all exhibited the same looseness. Surprising, as they're I think Swiss-made (or German?). Another issue they've shared is that the string "eyelet" in the posts have sharp edges that tend to break e and G strings. So I've just gotten used to filing those down a bit. It's a shame, their low QC standards, as I doubt I'll use them any more even though I love their look.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

_________________
Mountain Song Guitars www.mountainsongguitars.com


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 9 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 5 hours


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 24 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
phpBB customization services by 2by2host.com