The Steel Guitar Forum

Can anyone tell me the model number of the tuning key that MSA used on the Classic SS guitars. I know they were Grovers, but not the model number. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Jack Pelmer.

here this might help

p.w
https://www.grotro.com/Grover/ROTOMATICS

Paul,I really appreciate the info.Maybe this will get me what I need.I sure hope so. Jack.

Been there Done that and have the Scars to prove it. The original Grover keys were about 10-12 to 1 tuners. I have a MSA SS 10 which dates back into the 70's or 80,s. I had bought the steel used in 1998 or 99. I started having problems with 3 tuners not working as they should. I bought 2 sets of 6 each, 102-18C Groves tuners and thought OH boy this will easy. Wrong. To start with the originals had 3/8 shafts the new ones 25/64 just a shade larger than the original tuners. I thought OK this will be easy. I drilled the holes out. Put the first one in and then I came to the small machine screw that screws into the key head to lock the tuner. MSA had used a self-tapping screw that had a flat head on it, no problem just turn the head down. Just chuck it in my little lathe and turn the head down till it would clear the gear body, Wrong Again. The screw was a hardened self tapping screw. Broke the tip off the tool bit in my lathe. Dang. Solution Chuck screw in lathe and turn. Take Dremel tool with grinding stone turn it on and grind down head of each screw, While turning in lathe, till it would clear the gear housing on new tuner. That worked. I hope I am not trying to discourage you, Or keep you from changing them, but make you aware if they have not been updated before you may be in for a job. Good Luck. If you want to contact me send me an E-mail.

Bobby, I'm beginning to see what you mean. I understand from a friend that the Sperzel company will custom make tuner sets.I think I will contact them on Monday and see if they'll make them and what the cost is before I go any farther. I've already found one set that's not working very well. I sure thank you for your help though. Jack

Bobby,I'm beginning to see what you mean. I have already found one set that is not working well. I understand from a friend that Sperzel Company will custom make tuners and I think I will contact them on Monday to see if they do make custom tuners and the cost. Thank you for your information. Jack

I done some more measuring on the 2 left over out of the new ones I used to replace the originals. That call for the 25/64th inch hole. My son and I measured it and converted it to Metric Measure. It came out that a 10 mm drill would be the drill size to be used in the rest of the world using metric tools. They may have changed the size to be able to compete on the world market with high grade tuners. With the slightly larger size would be great on a regular guitar to enlarge a wallowed out hole in a wooden key head from the original tuner also. Good Luck.

Bobby, thanks again for all your help.If there's any way I can all you guy's don't hesitate to give a yell. Jack Palmer

Found some, I think. Please close. Thanks, Jack Palmer.