Gretsch G6119T-62 Vintage Select Tuners

[Kowpoke Kid]

Hey guys and gals, First post in a while.
I just got this beautiful guitar home and am loving it to death.
This is my first experience with TV Jones HiLoTrons and they are absolutely killer clear. I love them!

One thing has me a little concerned is I’ve noticed the tuners are a little wonky on both the E strings.
By wonky I mean, it has a slight play where the shaft engages into the brass gear.
Tuners are stamped, “Grover”, the guitar is made in Japan!

After some research the Grover V98N with a gear ratio of 14:1 appears to be what comes on this model.
They are made in Taiwan.
https://grotro.com/product/sta-tite-98-series/

I would like to change these out for Waverly’s or some other DROP IN REPLACEMENTS.
I have looked around the net and do not see any.
I was wondering if anyone here has successfully found replacements that just drop in with no modifications?
What say you all?

 

[rake_ether]

Good luck with your quest. I too have a Tenny, the '62 Limited Edition Rosewood with Grover tuners. I've not experienced your issue but understand that could be frustrating.

 

[loopy reed]

Allparts is pretty good about having detailed drawings of the crucial dimensions for tuning keys. I'd say get your calipers, take a key off, start comparing measurements. Measure the keys, not the holes on the guitar.

 

[audept]

Welcome to the forum, @Kowpoke Kid !

 

[Kowpoke Kid]

Allparts is pretty good about having detailed drawings of the crucial dimensions for tuning keys. I'd say get your calipers, take a key off, start comparing measurements. Measure the keys, not the holes on the guitar.

loopy reed,
Thanks for your reply and a heads up on using Allparts.
It has been so long, I forgot about them
It looks like I may have to alter the headstock at some point. Something I would rather not do!
I simply don’t get why these manufacturers do not offer better grade tuners that just drop in without modification? Grover for example has the Taiwan 14:1 that is on my guitar and what looks to be a higher quality 18:1 version open back but with different tolerances!

Will attempt to measure out everything on the next string change.
Thanks again for your thoughts

 

[Kowpoke Kid]

Welcome to the forum, @Kowpoke Kid !
View attachment 195768

audept,
Hey, thanks for the welcome!
You made me realize I haven’t updated my profile in AGES
So I just did it
Originally from Hawaii now retired in Tennessee!
Go figure from Aloha to ya’all

Last time I visited was when I got my Horton Heat 6120.
Purchased in Hawaii at Island Guitars in Honolulu.
A great store run by great people…..Neil and Jim!
It was a good guitar with a wrong fit for me so I sold it.
The 6119 is smaller, and those HiLo trons pack a punch that I really like.
Hope to drop in once in a while and have some fun!
Cheers mate

 

[Kowpoke Kid]

Good luck with your quest. I too have a Tenny, the '62 Limited Edition Rosewood with Grover tuners. I've not experienced your issue but understand that could be frustrating.

rake_ether,
Thanks…..
Your limited addition sounds like it’s made in Japan? Mine is MIJ and came with the Taiwan tuners…..Grover stamped V98n tuners @14:1 gear ratio.

Mine seem OK for the present time and is decent regarding staying in tune.
They feel a bit, “airy and loose” if that makes any sense! I have the impression due to their feel that quality is on the low scale. I’m trying to get used to that.
BTW…..all the screws are tight/snug from day one!

I have a couple of Martins with Waverly’s and it might just be I’m used to the solid tight feel of those Waverly’s

I stopped by the dealer in Knoxville yesterday, Lanes Music, they were very accommodating!
They want to see the guitar and go from there!
The salesman mentioned that, “occasionally”, once in a while, they may see the issue on some of the tuners but for the most part, it’s somewhat rare.

I really don’t want to drill or modify the instrument at this juncture.
I would upgrade in a heartbeat if I could get a high quality drop in.

I may get in touch with Fender at some point and see what they say about it!
Thanks again

 

[G5422T]

Hard to beat Waverly's. The set on my Martin are rock solid. Expensive, but a once and done swap.

I've considered putting a set on my G6120QM. These are about as close of a match as I've found with several options including button style.

Waverly High Ratio Guitar Tuners with Butterbean Knobs for Solid Pegheads - StewMac

High ratio vintage style butterbean tuners from Waverly

www.stewmac.com

21:1 ratio, made in the USA.

Best of luck

 

[petit professeur]

Hi,
I will try first to order an inexpésive replacement set of Grovers, they are on a lot of Japanese proline and they work well. I have an Annie and a DuoJet with them, they are not that bad. They are direct replacement with nothing to do, if they don’t fit sell them or return them.

 

[G5422T]

The Gretsch factory Grovers have a little different "footprint" for the mounting screws, and a different shaped mounting plate, than the retail offered Grovers.

FYI