Official Luthiers Forum!

I am building three steel strings right now, they are going to a couple friends and one to my brother.
I was wondering if anyone could suggest the best tuning machines for the price.
My problem is I think I could just pick the tightest smoothest ones if they were in front of me,
but I have to order them in the mail so before I did just thought I would get an opinion from someone
who has one.

Wes buddy what kind of tuners are you partial to - modern closed backs or vintage looking open backs?

I can't say enough good things about the Gotoh 510 Delta's. So smooth!, and 21:1 tuning ratio.

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A higher purpose for wood.
Rich Smith
Issaquah, WA

Open back- waverlys, Closed back Gotoh 510. Good luck with your projects...

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The Biggest Little City, Nevada
www.hammondguitars.com
I love building guitars!

Has anyone tried the Gotoh Open Back variety that Stew Mac sells? I like the vintage look of the open backs, but at this point in my building, (and my newly single lifestyle ), I have a hard time justifying the cost of Waverleys.

If not the Gotohs, why? and what, if anything would you suggest as an alternative?

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Jamie M

I am building 3 Dreadnought style guitars nothing really vintage about them I dont think, so this
time I was thinking modern closed back but now that you mention it I am not sure.
Just thought maybe the open back would look a little small on a big guitar like that.
I have always liked open back and I planned on using them on my next L-00 project.

Thanks for the advise sounds like the 510s are nice!

My opinion is that its not the size of the guitar that matters here, but the size of the headstock. If you have a smaller HS like a traditional Martin, then the open backs will look great regardless of the body size. I think sometimes when the HS gets bigger, the open back tuners do start to look small. I just tried out a new HS design similar in size to Taylor. I had drawn it in CAD and drew both versions with 510s and Waverlys. I thought the Waverlys looked too small, but I had some on hand. When it came to the point of drilling the holes, I ended up ordering a set of 510s and adjusted the hole size and location to match. After looking at the actual HS with tuners place next to then to get a real world feel on the look, I went back to my original decision. The Waverlys just looked too small. So I'll end up using them when I do traditional HS and buy 510s with the new design.

I've purchased and used half a dozen sets of the open back Gotohs. They function perfectly but are simply not in the class of the 510s or the waverlys. I like the ones with the brass gear, I think it gives it a nice vintage look/feel. They are also almost $100 cheaper than the waverlys. You usually get what you pay for.....

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The Biggest Little City, Nevada
www.hammondguitars.com
I love building guitars!

Thanks Michael. I figured they wouldn't be the same calibre as the Waverleys, but just ordered a set to give them a try. I'm not fond of the look of the 510's, so I wanted something different.

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Jamie M

Another question do tuning machines all require the same thickness on the headstock? If so how thick?

Hey Jamie I believe they have the same specs as the Waverleys so it's easy upgrade later on when you have some extra coin

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Say what you do, Do what you say.