Tuner hole size? G5232T

I'm not sure about the 5232T, but I installed 10mm Hipshots in my 2011 G5236, and I had to ream the holes. I went slowly with a hand-reamer and it was fine. There was a bit of chipping on the black lacquer, but I don't think it was caused by the reaming: I'm pretty sure that I caused it by over-tightening the nuts when I installed the new tuners. The washers covered the chipping, so there was no visible damage. (And then I decided to refinish the headstock anyway, just because I didn't like the painted-on Gretsch logo and also because I'm crazy.)

One important note: the headstock was thick enough that the standard post length on the 10mm Hipshots ended up being too short. They sell tuners with three different post lengths, and I had to get the longest ones. Their customer service is excellent—they offered to exchange them for free, no questions asked—but I'm working on another build, so I just kept the originals for the new guitar and bought a new set for the Jet.

One last thing: the 10mm Hipshots have a higher gear ratio than the 8.5s, so if you're not shy about reaming, you might want to go with the 10mms anyway.

 

HR,

If you do end up enlarging the holes, don't use anything potentially damaging as a reamer.

Use a Dremel, with a small drum sander attachment. stop and start the Dremel with the attachment still in the hole/use the Dremel on a low speed/stop and check frequently.

Check out Lee Valley.

Work slowly/be careful/good luck!

BIB.

 

Can you remove a tuner and measure?

 

Good call on the reamer; I found out the hard way doing this on my 5120 back in the day that a drill bit will dig its way in more quickly than you can control the drill and it'll chip the finish pretty badly. I got pretty decent at doing drop-fills after that fiasco...

 

HR,

Objective is not to keep drum center, but to carefully remove a slight amount of material from the circumference of the hole.

How do you plan on keeping the reamer centered, unless you're using a tapered reamer, then the top of the hole will be a larger diameter than the bottom of the hole.

Using a Dremel/drum sander attachment, it doesn't take much, I've performed this task numerous times, without a problem.

If you have a Gibson/Epiphone or any other model with a black lacquered head-stock face, a reamer will chip the hard lacquer around the hole, immediately when the reamer takes the first bite.

The only type of headstock where centering is important is six-inline. Using a dark magic marker/Sharpie, stain around the top inside edge of the hole, and, using the Dremel, sand, until the dark stain starts to disappear evenly. A couple of slow/careful runs around the perimeter and you're done. You're only removing a very small amount of material, sometimes a rolled up piece of sandpaper is all you need.

You can always...measure the existing hole size, and purchase the correct size replacement tuning machines.

Contact Hip-Shot and ask to speak to one of their techs. We tend to under-use these guys, and that's where the real help is.

In my opinion, TV Jone's tech department is the prime reason for their success. If they can't give you helpful advise on your project, it's probably because you're doing something you shouldn't be doing in the first place.

BIB.

 

I use blue tape when cutting countertops or finished wood, etc. May help. Going out the back side is generally what does the most damage. I would try to start on both sides and meet in the middle so it doesn't blow out the backside coming through. That would suck if it took a chip out on the back side. I bought Grovers for my Gretsch and they went right in and fit perfect. Sounds like I got lucky.

 

10mm. I have a G5232T. I put in hipshot tuners. LIKE A GLOVE!!!

 

Yeah, my G5622 has also 10mm holes and I upgraded to locking tuners....

 

of course I was.