Gotoh TOM bridge and tuners

TSE

New member
The Bridge and tuners that came on my Jackson DK2T suck and I was thinking of replacing them with Gotoh stuff from the Warmoth site since they have them cheap. The SG38 tuners and their TOM bridge. Are these decent parts or should I look into something else like TonePros and Grovers? The Jackson stuff is really finiky btw!
 
Re: Gotoh TOM bridge and tuners

Also, not sure if those tuners would fit my DK's neck. Any help would be very good!
 
Re: Gotoh TOM bridge and tuners

Have you taken the bridge off the DK2T? The TOM on my USA Jackson was a Gotoh, the metric one that fits most Epiphones. The same "metric" TonePros bridge also fits both of them. In fact, the first TonePros bridge I bought actually said Gotoh on the bottom. The TonePros and Gotoh bridges look pretty much identical, except for the set screws.

Some on the forum dismiss the Gotoh (and its TonePros counterpart) as junk. I'm not that big of a snob. Yet. I think they're both better than the stock Epi bridges from a few years ago. I didn't notice much, if any, tone difference between the TonePros and the Gotoh, but it's worth the extra money to me to have the bridge locked in place like that.

So make sure you don't already have a Gotoh; that would make my entire post pretty pointless. Perhaps even moreso than it already is.
 
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Re: Gotoh TOM bridge and tuners

What tyoe of tuners did the Jackson come with as well?

What is so bad about them that all this needs changing out?
 
Re: Gotoh TOM bridge and tuners

I really, rreally dig Gotoh tuners. I have no idea what their bridges are like.
 
Re: Gotoh TOM bridge and tuners

Have you taken the bridge off the DK2T? The TOM on my USA Jackson was a Gotoh, the metric one that fits most Epiphones.

Some on the forum dismiss the Gotoh (and its TonePros counterpart) as junk. I'm not that big of a snob.

No, I haven't actually taken it off and looked under it or anything. My Dk is not a USA model, it's MIJ.

And Is that why it took like 5 hours for someone to post something on this thraed? If TonePros and Gotoh are Junk what is considered good then?

P.s. I enjoy your current avatar!!
 
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Re: Gotoh TOM bridge and tuners

What tyoe of tuners did the Jackson come with as well?

What is so bad about them that all this needs changing out?

The tuners are the Jackson brand that comes on the JT series. Actually, now that I remember I believe the bridge IS also the same thing that comes on the cheaper JT models. JT-390 bridge rings a bell.

Anyway, the tuners pop and suddenly the strings may go sharp or flat as I'm trying to tune. And they are not precise in the least bit. I think they are 14:1but, it feels like they would be 10:1 or something like that, kind of all or nothing situation here.
And the bridge is a blast to intonate!:eyecrazy: I spent about 2 hours with it yesterday and it still isn't right considering I use a Korg Pitchblack to tune. (FYI, I play in C-standard tuning, maybe that is an issue with this guit?) After the notes are set perfect for each string, it sounds horrible when I strum a chord. It's a shame because the wood, construction, and feel of the neck and body are superb. It's a very resonant guitar and it just screams with the DD and JB combo. I think If I replace these two parts with quality stuff perhaps it may be what it needs to sound it's best.

My question is about the Gotoh brand. Are they actually good, or should I get something else? Because like I said, I can save a lot if I go with Gotoh considering other tuner/bridge options if I buy from the Warmoth site. And would the Gotoh SG38 tuners fit a Jackson DK2T? It seems like a pretty standard neck. Thanks in advance for any help.
 
Re: Gotoh TOM bridge and tuners

Some of us work for a living. don't get huffy because it took more than a couple of minutes for someone to respond to you. It's a bulletin board, not IM.

As far as Gotoh being a good brand, they are. I've used Gotoh tuners and Gotoh made Wilkinson bridges with good results.

As far as the pinging and creaking when you tune, check your nut. Your strings may be binding.
 
Re: Gotoh TOM bridge and tuners

No, I haven't actually taken it off and looked under it or anything. My Dk is not a USA model, it's MIJ.

Interestingly, the specs on Jackson's website list the bridges on both the DK2T and the SL2HT as a "JT390 Adjustable Bridge with Strings-Through-Body". So I think it's worth checking. The one on my 2006 SL2HT was definitely a Gotoh. I still have it; it's on my Epi LP100 right now.

What I'm getting at is this: If you don't like the bridge on your guitar, don't buy another one just like it to replace it. First of all, figure out if the bridge is really the problem. With inexpensive and mid-price guitars, the nut is much more likely to be the problem, based on what you've described. It may need dressed, lubed, or replaced. Jackson's site says that it's made of graphite, but I'd still scrutinize it along with tuners, bridge, strings, setup, etc.

People are often quick to replace tuners when they're having problems. I think it's because, in addition to some tuners truly being crap, it's often cheaper and easier than paying a tech to check the guitar out and fix something like a nut. I've done this myself, on guitars where the tuners weren't really problematic. It doesn't hurt anything, and sometimes it gives you the warm fuzzy you need to carry on with more important things.

That said, my USA Soloist has Jackson tuners, and while they may or may not be the same thing they put on the DK2T, I haven't had any problems with them. Or the ones on my import Jacksons, for that matter. Hell, my Music Yo! Kramer had Jackson tuners when I bought it used, and they've been fine so far, too.
 
Re: Gotoh TOM bridge and tuners

Some of us work for a living. don't get huffy because it took more than a couple of minutes for someone to respond to you. It's a bulletin board, not IM.

Ha, that's where I am right now! And I'll be here until 7 tonight!
 
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Re: Gotoh TOM bridge and tuners

Interestingly, the specs on Jackson's website list the bridges on both the DK2T and the SL2HT as a "JT390 Adjustable Bridge with Strings-Through-Body". So I think it's worth checking. The one on my 2006 SL2HT was definitely a Gotoh. I still have it; it's on my Epi LP100 right now.

What I'm getting at is this: If you don't like the bridge on your guitar, don't buy another one just like it to replace it. First of all, figure out if the bridge is really the problem. With inexpensive and mid-price guitars, the nut is much more likely to be the problem, based on what you've described. It may need dressed, lubed, or replaced. Jackson's site says that it's made of graphite, but I'd still scrutinize it along with tuners, bridge, strings, setup, etc.

People are often quick to replace tuners when they're having problems. I think it's because, in addition to some tuners truly being crap, it's often cheaper and easier than paying a tech to check the guitar out and fix something like a nut. I've done this myself, on guitars where the tuners weren't really problematic. It doesn't hurt anything, and sometimes it gives you the warm fuzzy you need to carry on with more important things.

That said, my USA Soloist has Jackson tuners, and while they may or may not be the same thing they put on the DK2T, I haven't had any problems with them. Or the ones on my import Jacksons, for that matter. Hell, my Music Yo! Kramer had Jackson tuners when I bought it used, and they've been fine so far, too.

Thanks man, I'll check out the nut.
 
Re: Gotoh TOM bridge and tuners

If this is a metric TOM then I think the Gotoh is the only game in town. It still has pretty loose saddles but there are no other quality metric TOMs IIRC.

I didn't check their recent tuners. I would mount Sperzel locking tuners.
 
Re: Gotoh TOM bridge and tuners

Sperzels will require some modification to the guitar. Grovers and Planet Waves locking tuners may (probably) not, all are good tuners. I actually like the PW better than Sperzels.

Gotoh bridges are great, probably not what you have. Look on the underside of the bridge, it will say if it's a gotoh.

TP are basically the gotoh with the locking screws, but if it's worth it to you it does make a significant difference to the unplugged sound of the guitar. I play with too much noise to determine if it makes a difference plugged in.
 
Re: Gotoh TOM bridge and tuners

Gotoh stuff is good quality. If the guitar was made in Japan it likely has Gotoh stuff. The nut is likely the cause of the issue, not the tuners. Tuners usually don't cause the problem.

Not sure how a new TOM is going to help you intonation issues.
 
Re: Gotoh TOM bridge and tuners

The sperzels have the same diameter as the non-vintage locking tuners. They need a screw in one place but then so do almost all other tuners.
 
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