[gigatron]

Help me spend some money! I want to replace the tuners on my Clipper.



The original ones are kinda stiff and creaky. I could get authentic-looking replacements from StewMac like these that would probably drop right in. However, I prefer the feel of the Grovers on my 6120. I've read reviews of various other brands of tuners, but haven't really tried very many.

I'll buy them by ordering from the internet (not much selection locally) so it would be nice to get it right the first time.

What would you do?

[Scott]

Since your Clipper is considered a vintage item I would make sure no matter what I got to replace the original tuners, the replacements would require no new holes. I know proper tuning is more important than catering to vintage purists(and I'm not one of those), but with a 50 year old guitar that some folks(including yourself) rightly hold in high regard doesn't need anything to devalue it in case you ever sell it. I know...you probably intend never to sell it, but how many times have we all said "this one's a keeper" only to sell it a few years later? Just keep that in the back of your mind.

Grovers are great tuners...have you not found any direct replacements from them?

[araT]

Wow, way to go giga!

I'll second what Scott said, try to avoid drilling any holes!

I've always had great experiences with the Schaller locking tuners.. but I'm not sure if you could get ones that would drop right in. I've put a set on my Ibanez SA160, and I recently put another set on my '72RI Tele as they dropped right in (I'm not one to drill extra holes or do permanent mods except to the Ibanez SA160, I like to be able to return things to 100% stock if I feel like it)

[ishtar]

Originally Posted by araT

Wow, way to go giga!

I'll second what Scott said, try to avoid drilling any holes!

I've always had great experiences with the Schaller locking tuners.. but I'm not sure if you could get ones that would drop right in. I've put a set on my Ibanez SA160, and I recently put another set on my '72RI Tele as they dropped right in (I'm not one to drill extra holes or do permanent mods except to the Ibanez SA160, I like to be able to return things to 100% stock if I feel like it)

"You can say that again!" araT, from The Show

[gigatron]

My inherent laziness is guarantee enough against the drilling of new holes. I'll look into those direct replacements from StewMac, and make sure to keep all the old parts. I was pleased with the replacement tuners I got from them for my Corvette.

Thanks for all the quick responses.

[Synchro]

Originally Posted by gigatron

Help me spend some money! I want to replace the tuners on my Clipper.



The original ones are kinda stiff and creaky. I could get authentic-looking replacements from StewMac like these that would probably drop right in. However, I prefer the feel of the Grovers on my 6120. I've read reviews of various other brands of tuners, but haven't really tried very many.

I'll buy them by ordering from the internet (not much selection locally) so it would be nice to get it right the first time.

What would you do?

Originally Posted by Scott

Since your Clipper is considered a vintage item I would make sure no matter what I got to replace the original tuners, the replacements would require no new holes. I know proper tuning is more important than catering to vintage purists(and I'm not one of those), but with a 50 year old guitar that some folks(including yourself) rightly hold in high regard doesn't need anything to devalue it in case you ever sell it. I know...you probably intend never to sell it, but how many times have we all said "this one's a keeper" only to sell it a few years later? Just keep that in the back of your mind.

Grovers are great tuners...have you not found any direct replacements from them?

Originally Posted by gigatron

My inherent laziness is guarantee enough against the drilling of new holes. I'll look into those direct replacements from StewMac, and make sure to keep all the old parts. I was pleased with the replacement tuners I got from them for my Corvette.

Thanks for all the quick responses.

The great thing about Stew Mac is that they have detailed specs for a lot of their products. They must have a full-time person doing CAD drawings for their online catalogue.

[wousertrouser]

The StewMac folks are great. I just wish they weren't so bloody expensive.

Tough call on a 50 year old guitar. Forget the tuning problems...I'd have trouble just taking the darn thing out of the glass case I'd keep it in!

[Synchro]

Originally Posted by wousertrouser

The StewMac folks are great. I just wish they weren't so bloody expensive.

Tough call on a 50 year old guitar. Forget the tuning problems...I'd have trouble just taking the darn thing out of the glass case I'd keep it in!

They are a bit high-priced but they gots everything.

Nah! The Clipper is made to be played. They're simple guitars without a lotta fluff.

[Sarah93003]

Originally Posted by Synchro

They are a bit high-priced but they gots everything.

Nah! The Clipper is made to be played. They're simple guitars without a lotta fluff.

Amen to that! I love looking at my vintage guitars, but I like playing them even more.

[wousertrouser]

Agreed. Guitars are meant to be played. I type corrected.