Tuner color suggestion

[rschultz]

Hi,

I have a 5622 center block. The pickup rings and pick guard is gold, but the rest of the hardware is nickel. I want to upgrade the tuners... I hate the tiny knobs. They are 16:1, so they seem good in that regard. But while I'm at it I was wondering about 18:1 and/or gold. Probably go the Gotoh route. I like Schaller style knobs the best, although the Gotoh 510 midsized ones look nice too. Just not sure if gold would look right or if I should stick with Nickel/chrome.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

 

[ampe]

I would keep it consistent with the rest of the hardware, so either nickel or change at least the end piece to gold as well.

 

[section2]

If you're otherwise happy with the tuners, you could just replace the buttons. Does your 5622 have Grovers? If so, Hipshot buttons will fit. They have a huge selection in different styles. I'm a big fan of the Imperial buttons. (Hipshot calls them "Deco.")

https://hipshotproducts.com/products/guitar-tuner-buttons

If it were me, I'd stay with nickel tuners to match the rest of the hardware, but you should go with whatever look you like the most.

 

[rschultz]

Yeah I also wonder if I got the gold if it would clash with the darker antique type gold of the pick guard and cover plates. Probably best to stay with nickel.

Any thoughts on 16:1 vs 18:1? Both my acoustics are 18:1, but both my electrics are 16:1. Not sure how important that is.

 

[section2]

The higher gear ratio makes tuning a bit less of a chore, but it's a nice-to-have, not a need-to-have. All of my guitars have 18:1 tuners, so I can't offer a comparison to the 16:1s, except to say that an 18:1 tuner will take an extra 1/8 of a turn to achieve the same change in pitch that a 16:1 would achieve in a full rotation. I'd guess that the difference would be subtle.

 

[G5422T]

Yeah I also wonder if I got the gold if it would clash with the darker antique type gold of the pick guard and cover plates. Probably best to stay with nickel.

Any thoughts on 16:1 vs 18:1? Both my acoustics are 18:1, but both my electrics are 16:1. Not sure how important that is.

Nickel.

As far as tuners ratios, not as important as the quality of the tuner IMO.

Then the most important thing is proper stringing.

 

[rschultz]

There are some Gotoh 21:1 in antique gold on reverb for $110… that’s like 1/2 price.

 

[wabash slim]

It'd be easier, and cheaper, to redo the pickguard and pickup surrounds.
Never liked mixing silver and gold hardware myself. Gold wears away too fast.

 

[Archtops]

Stay with the nickel. I think it will look better than mixing the hardware. IMHO

 

[new6659]

I would also stay with nickel and don't think the tuning ratio really matters.

 

[Mark W]

Another vote for staying nickel.

 

[thunder58]

nickel

 

[Shock]

Stay with the nickel. I think it will look better than mixing the hardware. IMHO

Unless it is a Setzer. The exception that proves the rule. Even on the Setzer it looks off, but that is the idea. It makes it look like a 65 Chevy on a 55 frame.

 

[coolrene]

My suggestion is Hipshot open tuners with large chrome buttons (they offer a wide choice of size & colors) very precise, smooth and looking great !

 

[rschultz]

My suggestion is Hipshot open tuners with large chrome buttons (they offer a wide choice of size & colors) very precise, smooth and looking great !

yeah those look cool, but the screw is in the center. I need it offset like the Gotoh Z models.

 

[Jeff67]

Nickel. I don't usually like mixing gold and chrome/ nickel, but they got the balance right, at least to my eyes. Gold tuners would throw the balance off.

 

[section2]

yeah those look cool, but the screw is in the center. I need it offset like the Gotoh Z models.

Hipshots come with universal mounting plates that allow you to mount them without screws, so you don't need to worry about lining up the mounting holes.

I have Hipshots on three of my guitars, and they're fantastic. Here's a pic of my 5620 with the Hipshot plates. There are two plates under each set of three tuners. You can see a bit of overlap where the plates meet, but it doesn't bother me—nobody looks at the back of the headstock anyway.

 

[stevo]

The pickup surrounds seem off - I guess their matching the pick guard. But to answer the question, nickel.

 

[swivel]

I put inexpensive Gotoh's (~$39) on a Tele type to replace the stock tuners. I don't like these tuners at all. They seem very cheap and inconsistent tuner to tuner. I bought them because they fit the screw pattern that existed. The original Chinese tuners the guitar had were just as good.
Just throwing that out for you to consider.

 

[HypotenusLuvTriangle]

If you're otherwise happy with the tuners, you could just replace the buttons. Does your 5622 have Grovers? If so, Hipshot buttons will fit. They have a huge selection in different styles. I'm a big fan of the Imperial buttons. (Hipshot calls them "Deco.")

https://hipshotproducts.com/products/guitar-tuner-buttons

If it were me, I'd stay with nickel tuners to match the rest of the hardware, but you should go with whatever look you like the most.

I second Hipshot. Fantastic stuff.