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Topic: Upgrading machines on a semi classic? |
Harvey Richman
From:
Georgia, USA
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Posted 18 Jun 2008 8:14 am |
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Hello all. I'm rebuilding an MSA semi classic and am thinking about replacing the original Klusons with Grovers. Anybody done this? It looks like the one screw hole needed for the Grovers lines up well with the one that is there for the Klusons. However, I know there's a difference between it looking right and it actually fitting. I have a small drill press but have no idea where I would get a tool for countersinking the back side of the keyhead (or if there's an alternative to countersinking). Any input would be appreciated. Thanks!
Regards
Harvey |
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Don Poland
From:
Hanover, PA.
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Posted 18 Jun 2008 9:08 am
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| Harvey, I have a 74 Classic that has Grover tuners replacing all of the original tuners. Bobby Bowman in Cypress TX rebuilt my guitar shortly after me purchasing it. You may want to send him email or call him and see if there were any issues with the replacement. www.bobbybowman.com is his website. I purchased the tuners from Wayne Link in Canada. |
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Harvey Richman
From:
Georgia, USA
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Posted 18 Jun 2008 5:22 pm Thanks
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Thanks for the info Don.
Regards
Harvey |
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David Mason
From:
Cambridge, MD, USA
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Posted 19 Jun 2008 1:50 am
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WARNING! Brand new Grovers are now being made in China, by Ping. They're not even the top-of-the-line Ping tuners, like what the better Ibanez guitars use. The gears get crunchy within a few years, sometimes even come that way brand-new. There have been a few warnings about this elsewhere and a few posts on this forum; "new-old-stock" Grovers are quickly attaining a premium collector's status, just for people who want to "correctly" restore great old guitars.
Sperzel tuners seem to be a consensus for use on high-end steels, there's some other good ones like Schaller & Gotoh but they're not traditional - it's a dilemma, caused by yet another formerly-great company selling out their name and reputation for a quick buck for the "shareholders." Now when I see a new guitar advertised as featuring "genuine Grovers", it sets off warning bells - how else are they trying to cut corners....  |
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Steven Black
From:
Gahanna, Ohio, USA
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Posted 19 Jun 2008 2:25 am Grovers
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| I Agree that Grovers are not that great of a tuner, I prefer Sperzels or Schaler, I had an MSA classic that the tuners fell apart, my carter guitar used Sperzels which were very smooth in operation, if you build a steel guitar or guitar use good tunning keys. |
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Harvey Richman
From:
Georgia, USA
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Posted 19 Jun 2008 8:33 am Thanks
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David and Steven, thanks for the heads up. Grovers have always been my favorite. I had no idea about that situation. I did not too long ago get an older guitar with a set of Sperzels on it and I like them quite a bit.
Here's a question: is there any standardization to the distance from the center of the peg hole to the hold for the single screw (roll pin for Sperzels) among the various manufacturers. To me, that would seem to be a key issue (no pun intended) in deciding what brand to go with. Anybody know? Anybody know is there is a direct replacement / upgrade for Klusons that doesn't require modification of the keyhead. I would have thought someone would have done that by now.
Thanks and Regards
Harvey |
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David Mason
From:
Cambridge, MD, USA
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Posted 19 Jun 2008 12:42 pm
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I saw a recent ad in Vintage Guitar magazine for new/old Klusons - WD Music, Tone Pros and Kluson seem to have some sort of business arrangement:
http://www.kluson.com/
It might be best to contact Bobbe Seymour, Jim Palenscar, Herby Wallace or some other seller of steels to find out if they can source an exact replacement.
http://b0b.com/links/stores.html |
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