Help With Locking Tuners

[Jeff_H]

The tuners I want for my LP are vintage Kluson style with plastic tulip knobs.... either single line or Deluxe double line, but they must be locking and I DO NOT want a screw knob on the back. I bought what I thought were the right tuners, but they are 8 millimeter and my holes are 10mm, which I didn't know. The tuners on my LP must be TonePros Kluson with modern hole size.

I prefer the Grover style locking mechanism where you just turn the knob and the posthole locks onto the string automatically, but I am ok with the Kluson new locking style where the top of the post loosens with a coin to take the string out and then you tighten up the new string by tightening the top of the post again. I just dislike the look of the big locking knob on tuners.

I can't find locking tuning machines with 10mm posts and the mechanism I like.

I can get conversion bushings to adapt the locking tuners I have now for $10, but I prefer to have a direct fit replacement, if possible. I had the right set of 10mm locking Kluson style tuners on my 03' LP that I sold in 07', but like I said can't find them now.

Any help would be appreciated. If I can't find what I want, I'll go with the conversion bushings to get the locking mechanism I prefer.

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Help With Locking Tuners

I can’t say I am a fan of lockers on the Les Paul, but why not get the Gotoh vintage lockers? Yes they have the wheel, but if replacing why not get the best option?

What is on there now?

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Help With Locking Tuners

TonePros Kluson vintage sized machines with plastic tulip keys are what it came with.....15:1 ratio. I want the exact same look but in a locking mechanism. I have a set of the lockers in the same style now, but the bushings are 8mm vs the 10mm I need. I can just order the conversion bushings for $10 and be done with it. I just hate to make a modification to make a modification if I don't have to.

I know locking tuners are a bit overkill for a LP, I just like them for ease of string changes and because they give me piece of mind. My existing holes will work with Grover locking tuners, which are my favorite locking tuners, but I want to keep the look as original as possible.

 

[BriGuy1968]

Re: Help With Locking Tuners

Not the same style of lock, but these are “normal-looking” on the back and still 10mm.

http://www.guitarfetish.com/Wilkinson-EZ-LOK-locking-Tuners-3x3-fits-Gibson-Headstocks_p_880.html

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Help With Locking Tuners

Not the same style of lock, but these are “normal-looking” on the back and still 10mm.

http://www.guitarfetish.com/Wilkinson-EZ-LOK-locking-Tuners-3x3-fits-Gibson-Headstocks_p_880.html

That is a great locking style and I would be happy with that, but I need the same footprint and look of the original Kluson's. I am trying to avoid drilling new screw holes. Thanks for the tip though, those might work well for my next project.

 

[VinceT]

Re: Help With Locking Tuners

I have Tulip Gotoh locking tuners without the knob on both my Les Paul (2006) and ES335 (2010) but I believe they needed the conversion bushings.


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[Mincer]

Re: Help With Locking Tuners

I have to ask- why don't you like the screw knob in the back?

 

[BriGuy1968]

Re: Help With Locking Tuners

I’m gonna guess looks... they ARE a little bulky. Personally I like them and have them on most of my guitars, but I could see someone not liking them for that reason.

Then again I could be completely wrong... :dunno:

 

[Darg1911]

Re: Help With Locking Tuners

These what you want? Looks like they are "no longer available" but I don't know if that's just Stew Mac not selling them anymore or if they are discontinued. No Chrome or Nickel left so I'm probably not helping but it shows that they may still be available somewhere.

http://www.stewmac.com/Hardware_and_Parts/Tuning_Machines/Solid_Peghead_Guitar_Tuning_Machines/TonePros_Kluson_3and3_Locking_Tuners_Keystone_Knobs_and_Threaded_Bushings.html

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Help With Locking Tuners

I have to ask- why don't you like the screw knob in the back?

I’m gonna guess looks... they ARE a little bulky. Personally I like them and have them on most of my guitars, but I could see someone not liking them for that reason.

Then again I could be completely wrong... :dunno:

Yeah, just a personal preference with regard to the looks, nothing more really. They work well I know, because I had a couple of strats years ago with them. I just prefer a locking tuner that looks like a normal tuner.

That and I'm and OCD freak about certain things. I can't control it. It leads me to weird decisions sometimes, but it works for me mostly.

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Help With Locking Tuners

These what you want? Looks like they are "no longer available" but I don't know if that's just Stew Mac not selling them anymore or if they are discontinued. No Chrome or Nickel left so I'm probably not helping but it shows that they may still be available somewhere.

http://www.stewmac.com/Hardware_and_Parts/Tuning_Machines/Solid_Peghead_Guitar_Tuning_Machines/TonePros_Kluson_3and3_Locking_Tuners_Keystone_Knobs_and_Threaded_Bushings.html

That's exactly what I want, in nickel. I found them during my search too. I just can't find anyone selling them currently. They may not have sold well enough. My OCD is so weird that I thought for a moment about switching to all gold hardware. But, I came to my senses and just ordered the conversion bushings. I have the tuners I wanted.... they just didn't fit. The bushings will solve my problem for $10.

I just hope the way they look doesn't bother me.......

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Help With Locking Tuners

Gotoh SD90 vintage locking tuners in nickel
Look on Amazon,
I'd link to it but my Amazon app is boogered up right now

They are what I put on my Hummingbird

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Help With Locking Tuners

Gotoh SD90 vintage locking tuners in nickel
Look on Amazon,
I'd link to it but my Amazon app is boogered up right now

They are what I put on my Hummingbird

I'll check that out. I looked on Amazon but didn't find those. Thanks.!

****Edit.....I just checked them out, but they're not 10mm, at least the ones I found on Amazon.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Help With Locking Tuners

Ok
Like I said, I got em on my Hummingbird

They were exact matches for the OEM
With the exception of the the top locking posts

Oh well good luck

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Help With Locking Tuners

Ok
Like I said, I got em on my Hummingbird

They were exact matches for the OEM
With the exception of the the top locking posts

Oh well good luck

I really appreciate the tip. I've never had such a hard time finding the locking tuners I want, but I learned something new. I thought all Kluson style tuners were drilled with vintage width holes, but apparently the Tone Pros are the only ones that aren't. My LP happened to come with all Tone Pro's hardware from the factory. If Kluson style tuners have push in bushings they all seem to be 8mm holes. If the Kluson style tuners have screw in bushings with the washer and nut, they are 10mm.

There may be some one off's out there that I couldn't find, but this seems to be the general rule. Lots of you all probably knew this, but it was new to me.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Help With Locking Tuners

So I looked at this one

Gotoh Locking Tuners Nickel (3 per side) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EB11N46/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_Na9CAbV7ZRVA5

It has a bushing , look at the images
The bushing is 8.8mm internal diameter
And 11.2 mm outside diameter

Are you sure that's not what you want?

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Help With Locking Tuners

Are you sure that's not what you want?

No, now I'm not sure at all. It does say it's a "retrofit" design which retains the vintage look with no modifications to your guitar (paraphrased). This makes it sound like it has a larger push in bushing that would fit my modern 10mm hole. It's possible this is exactly what I want.

I think I'll send a message to the seller and see if I can confirm that. I missed the "retrofit" phrase when I looked at these before. Thank you for looking at them again.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Help With Locking Tuners

I don't think I used the bushings with mine
I think I just reused the one that came with the OEM

I could measure them if you like

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Help With Locking Tuners

I don't think I used the bushings with mine
I think I just reused the one that came with the OEM

I could measure them if you like

If that isn't too much trouble, that would be great, as well as the size of your peg hole if you're going to take the bushing out. I don't want to cause you too much trouble, but I genuinely appreciate the offer. It's very nice of you.

I also sent a message to the seller.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Help With Locking Tuners

Oh I was going to measure the unused bushing in the box
Not remove the installed tuner and bushing

Sorry