Tuner recommendations?

[shutterbiker]

I have a '94 MIM squier series strat. Right now it has the enclosed chrome tuners with screw on opposing corners. From what I've read, these are the same tuners as come on the bullets. Rob Di Stefano said on strat-talk that the bullets used a 5/16" hole size. Has anyone replaced their tuners on a bullet or MIM squire, and if so, what did you end up using/doing to make them work? I found tuners on GFS site that said they were for 5/16" hole (wilkinson deluxe kluson style). Also does anyone know if the vintage style tuners would cover existing holes or not?

Thanks in advance,

Steve

[5thumbs]

Those tuners will cover all but one mounting hole. The high e string i have used both types of tuners the same with both. I like the Wilkinsons better (no real reason)

[kevinpaul]

The stock tuners on both of Ibanez guitars and my Squier look like Grover Tuners. Could that be true?

[shutterbiker]

5thumbs,

Thanks for the reply. I ordered the wilkinson deluxe kluson style tuners today. This will finish off my guitar. The only original parts left are the neck, body, and tuners-and this will take care of them!

Thanks,

Steve

[peskypesky]

Originally Posted by shutterbiker

5thumbs,

Thanks for the reply. I ordered the wilkinson deluxe kluson style tuners today. This will finish off my guitar. The only original parts left are the neck, body, and tuners-and this will take care of them!

Thanks,

Steve

PLEASE let us know how it goes when you get the tuners.

[5thumbs]

I think you will like those tuners,did ya get them from G/F ?

[shutterbiker]

5thumbs,

Yes, I got them from guitarfetish. I read a lot of reviews and the wilkinsons received good reviews. GFS says these fit vintage 5/16" holes and Rob D. says that the bullets use 5/16", but I'll find out if all that is true. I'm hoping to press in bushings, fill old screw holes, drill new mounting holes, and install tuners. I'll post pics. I meant to do a photo series of my tonerider install, but I was to impatient to install them!

Steve

[5thumbs]

Yea you be able to use the stock bushings, i did redrill mine you will see that the wilkinson bushings are a little bigger o.d. you will see what im talkin about when ya get them in hand. Some where on here are some photos of my Sqire with vintage tuners installed . Im in the prosess of anouther with the wilkinson's.

[Phoenix59]

I've been looking at the tuners at GF (wow, their prices are incredible!) and after seeing a lot of you talk about which tuners will properly fit which Squiers, I am trying to make sure I get some that will fit well. Mine is an Indonesian Affinity Strat (S/N begins with IC).

I really like the ones with the pearloid knobs; I'm thinking they would look great on my purple Strat with a new pearloid pickguard.

Thoughts?

[shutterbiker]

5thumbs,

Are you saying that I can re-use existing bushings? That would be even better. Also, do you remember what size drill bit for the tuner mounting screws?

Steve

[5thumbs]

Yea i could have on mine, but i put in the Wilkinson bushings. How i mounted the tuners (this may be all wrong but it worked for me) is. With the bushings in place i put in the tuners for both E strings make sure thay are stright then i took a piece of masking tape and put it between the two. Giving me a nice stright line for the rest. As for the drill bit i didn't use one. Rember that is maple soft wood so i have a Small punch (think small ice pick) i marked the hole location, removed the tuners and carfuly punched a small hole where it needs to be. Then start your screws, remove them and reinstall tuners. Now this may be all wrong but it has worked for me in the past,and ya don't have the worry of drilling through the headstock. Hope this helps ya out.
5thumbs

[5thumbs]

Originally Posted by Phoenix59

I've been looking at the tuners at GF (wow, their prices are incredible!) and after seeing a lot of you talk about which tuners will properly fit which Squiers, I am trying to make sure I get some that will fit well. Mine is an Indonesian Affinity Strat (S/N begins with IC).

I really like the ones with the pearloid knobs; I'm thinking they would look great on my purple Strat with a new pearloid pickguard.

Thoughts?

Go for it that would look nice

[peskypesky]

Originally Posted by Phoenix59

I really like the ones with the pearloid knobs; I'm thinking they would look great on my purple Strat with a new pearloid pickguard.

Thoughts?

is that you, Liberace?

[shutterbiker]

Cool. I saw a video on youtube from 300guitars.com that showed using a ruler or straightedge to line up the tuners to mark holes. I also ordered the aluminum pickguard sheild since I was ordering from GFS.

Steve

[5thumbs]

Ive had good luck with G/F i just got a new bridge with a full size block from them im very impressed with.

[grumpy old git]

Regarding fixing, I put some lo-tack tape on the rear of the headstock, placed the tuners in position, lined them up with a straight edge and marked the holes. I used a 1mm drill in my Dremmel, then screwed all the screws all the way in without the tuners fitted. They all went on no problem
Forgot to say, these are Wilkinson Vintage tuners.

[peskypesky]

Originally Posted by grumpy old git

Regarding fixing, I put some lo-tack tape on the rear of the headstock, placed the tuners in position, lined them up with a straight edge and marked the holes. I used a 1mm drill in my Dremmel, then screwed all the screws all the way in without the tuners fitted. They all went on no problem
Forgot to say, these are Wilkinson Vintage tuners.

thanks! the pictures are very helpful.

two questions:
1. what guitar is that?
2. did you have to ream the holes at all for the tuners?

[grumpy old git]

It's a neck from axesrus.com, a '57 soft V, 7 1/4" radius in honey gloss on my Dave Murray style HSH screamer I will post photos of my collection when I get a bit of time with the camera.
The holes were drilled at 8.3mm, and the Wilko tuners come with 10mm or 8.3mm press in bushes.

[shutterbiker]

grumpy (i hope it's ok to call you grumpy),

Those tuners look excellent. I hope I can do that good of a job on mine. The original tuners on mine are very notchy feeling. I'm hoping the wilkinsons will smooth the tuning out. I don't have a problem with staying in tune-it's just getting in tune that's hard.

Steve

[GordonRules24]

I just put a set of Wilkinson vintage-styles on my Squier Deluxe, and they're great tuners. I had to use 10.5 mm conversion bushings from Stew Mac because my headstock has the big holes, but everything fit together perfectly and they look great. I got mine from Guitar Parts Resource, and they were a little bit cheaper than Guitar Fetish. I also had them in three days. Either way, you can't go wrong

http://guitarpartsresource.com/tuners_wilkinson6.htm

[grumpy old git]

Originally Posted by shutterbiker

grumpy (i hope it's ok to call you grumpy)

No problem Steve. I chose the name (with a little help from my wife!) I didn't find it too hard to fit them, the lo-tack tape makes it easy to mark the positions, and stops the drill bit slipping. As one screw holds two tuners, you don't want it to be out, otherwise the screw can go in crooked and that's when they can break as you get them all the way in
The tuners (WJ55CR) are great, they're good and smooth, and they stay in tune well, even with a bit of whammy bar! I went for the slotted type. I'm putting a set on my '94 MIM Squier very soon, we'll have to compare notes! I'll be filling all the old screw holes whether they can be seen or not, will probably glue in matchsticks / cocktail sticks and level off, I don't like leaving holes where there shouldn't be any. I'll probably be spraying the headstock at some point.

Post some pics when you've done yours, will be to see how they look.

Paul.

[shutterbiker]

Yeah, I was thinking of filling holes with either toothpicks or wood putty. Maybe finish with clear nail polish over the filled hole?

Steve

[Bullitt]

Nice tuner install,how u like those tuners,I want to order a set for my current project.

[grumpy old git]

Originally Posted by shutterbiker

Yeah, I was thinking of filling holes with either toothpicks or wood putty. Maybe finish with clear nail polish over the filled hole? Steve

Good idea, would save a lot of masking and bad language in my case

Originally Posted by Bullitt

how u like those tuners

They stay in tune well, good quality, very good VFM IMHO.

[grumpy old git]

Out of interest earlier, as I need to order a set for my Gilmour project, I measured the shaft of the Wilkinson tuners with my verniers, and locked the gauge. They measured 5.9mm, (7/32" approx) and just fit in the standard bushes of my '94 Fender Series, so *should* fit OK, or with minimal adjustment. I'll be trying to fit them later this week (when they arrive) so will post more then.
Paul

[shutterbiker]

I got the tuners and mounted them last night. I ended up using the existing bushings. I checked the tuner shaft in both the new and existing bushing, and it appeared to have about the same amount of movement. I drilled the holes using a 5/64" drill bit and it was just right. I only filled the visible hole (high E) and used clear nail polish to seal the surface. Overall, a very easy install and the tuners are very smooth and look good-very vintage. If I had another guitar, I would use these tuners again. I'll try to get some pics up tomorrow.

Steve

[5thumbs]

Good told ya it wasnt to hard to do! The next one i do think ill use the factory bushings.
5thumbs

[shutterbiker]

Finally got pictures. Here ya go!003.jpg

002.jpg

007.jpg

[grumpy old git]

Nice job Steve, I got my tuners this week and they fitted straight into the stock bushings

[Strat-Man-Do]

Depends what you want IMO, sealed or open mechanical. I like the Kluson style tuners with Split Tops and have always liked them. I also like the CV-Series copy they use and find them very reliable.

On my Hamers I use both Super-rotomatic Schallers and Grover 18"1 Roromatics. I actually like the 18:1 Grovers better. They have a smoother rotation than the Schallers and have the vintage look.

But GFS has a bunch of very good replacements that are direct drop in in tour useing 3/16 holes. The screw patter is where you need to take time and match.

The toughest to match p are the 70s Fenders with the cross pattern screw holes. Though many of the higher end MIJ electrics that were used to source out work in the early 70's have very similar cross pattern tuners that also work well. I'm using a 71 MIJ Gretsch import [DORADO] with is a top-of-the line. Soldid Spruce Top and Mahogany side. And the Tuners Hold GREAT!

[Phoenix59]

OK, to reiterate my earlier question: I am looking at this page at GF and trying to decide which set of tuners will work best for my Affinity Strat (Indonesia).

I want chrome tuners; I was considering the ones with mother-of-pearl buttons but I'm wondering about how durable the knobs are.

Also, what are the advantages/disadvantages of locking tuners? (I've never used them before.) I use the trem, but not wildly -- more just for a gentle vibrato occasionally. Would locking tuners be a good idea?

Thanks for any advice. I am a 35-year veteran of playing, but a total n00b when it comes to mods and upgrades.

[Bullitt]

Them look like they came factory.

[shutterbiker]

Thanks for all the replies and comments. These tuners are really nice quality and very smooth. I had such a hard time tuning with the old bullet tuners. They were very notchy feeling and rough. This was a great upgrade-I'm glad I did it.

Steve