Replacement Tuners for SG Classic?

nadzab · 10-25-2009, 05:41 PM

Hello all, first-time poster here. I have an SG Classic on order, and I can't wait for it to arrive. I have a feeling, though, that the white plastic buttons on the tuners are going to drive me nuts...I'll see how I like them when the guitar arrives, but I anticipate that I'm going to want to switch them out for a set of keystone tuners.

Would the Tonepros Klusons be a drop-in replacement? I was looking at the TPKB3 set. From the photos of the SG Classic I've seen online, it looks like the stock tuners have the bolt-type bushings, and I've read good things about the Tonepros...or is there another brand that would be better? I was looking at the Grover Deluxes as well...I want a set that works well, and uses the existing screw holes and peg holes with no modification. Any advice/recommendations would be appreciated, thanks.

AngryHatter · 10-25-2009, 06:46 PM

Take a breath.

nadzab · 10-25-2009, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AngryHatter

Take a breath.

Breathing's overrated!

Just looking for a little helo...

nadzab · 10-25-2009, 06:57 PM

That would be help...

TattooedCarrot · 10-26-2009, 02:55 AM

Not familiar with the TonePros, but Grovers will fit. The one's that will not fit without adapter bushings are the thinner post vintage style.

yllsacky · 10-26-2009, 03:36 AM

take drugs.... just kidding... you will get used to it

SG Lou · 10-26-2009, 04:09 AM

I replaced the stock Gibson tuners on my 61 RI with the Grover Deluxe tuners and have never looked back. They are worth every penny !

SpinWheelz · 10-26-2009, 09:23 AM

In my opinion, different tuners aren't needed. When I got my SG Classic, I had anticipated changing over the tuners as well, but after a very brief time, I found that they held their own pretty well, and quite frankly, like my Melody Maker, the white tuners give it a rather distinctive look.

Keep the white tuners, I say.

H.E.L.Shane · 10-26-2009, 12:22 PM

I just did a replacement on an SG Classic at the shop...

I replaced the stock, white plastic round knob tuners, with Tone Pro's Kluson keystone yellow plastic knobbed tuners.

these are a DIRECT fit and are both lighter and feel better, having a 15:1 tuning ratio.

Not to mention... the LOOK like what i expect to see!!

You'll need part TPKB3

nadzab · 10-26-2009, 06:01 PM

Thanks for the replies...if I don't care for the stock tuners on the SG Classic, I think I'll give the Tone Pros a shot. I have a feeling they might look better than the stock tuners on my '95 LP Standard too, which have the "pea soup green" shade:

AngryHatter · 10-28-2009, 05:14 PM

I love the jade keys - dunno why.

nadzab · 10-28-2009, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AngryHatter

I love the jade keys - dunno why.

Yeah, you know, I don't hate them...and "jade" is certainly a better way to put it than "pea soup green".

H.E.L.Shane · 10-29-2009, 01:44 PM

Yea.. the tone pros actually have a "marbleling" to them, they look much better in person that in that glam shot from the website!

axepilot · 10-29-2009, 08:50 PM

I left the stock tuners on my Classic. They work well and I'm not really too concerned about the aesthetics with this guitar. It looks good enough as is and it flat out rocks..................one of the best guitar purchases I've ever made.

duane v · 10-29-2009, 08:57 PM

I went with the Kluson gold waffle backs.....

I had to get the off-set bushings and do some minor drilling, but they look awesome IMO.

nadzab · 10-31-2009, 10:12 AM

Well, here she is, Tone Pros tuners installed. I have to say, she would not hold tuning out of the box, but I'll attribute that to the factory strings not being stretched yet, as opposed to the stock tuners. With the Tone Pros and a new set of strings, tuning is rock-solid.

I was expecting metal-capped knobs? The all-plastic bell knobs it came with seem a little insubstantial (I'm used to speed knobs on my LP). Also, they turn a bit hard...does this have to do with the pots they use with the PCB? My '95 LP knobs turn much more smoothly, but I don't remember if they were stiffer when it was new.

Most importantly, she plays beautifully...the neck is a hair slimmer than I was expecting, very nice. And the sound is fantastic, P-90 heaven!

axepilot · 10-31-2009, 08:34 PM

My Classic came with metal capped knobs........................but knobs are easy and cheap to replace.

Congrats and enjoy your Classic................I love mine!

nadzab · 10-31-2009, 09:26 PM

Thought it was interesting that the year of manufacture is stamped right on the back of the headstock under "made in USA". Is Gibson doing that on all their new production models now?

circusboy28 · 11-04-2009, 12:15 AM

All the new Gibsons that I've seen in the last two years have the year stamped under the MIUSA. Apart from Custom Shop models, of course.

Dannyelectro · 11-04-2009, 08:05 AM

I jus LOVES me some P-90s. (P-100s too!)

Looks great, big congrats.

Year of production stamped on mine too.

p90rules · 11-05-2009, 04:03 AM

I like those little button tuners. They had them on the early Specials & Juniors.
I think that Grovers or those snot green tulip jobs look a bit ungainly on an SG & may cause them to be neck heavy, especially the Grovers

nadzab · 11-05-2009, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by p90rules

I like those little button tuners. They had them on the early Specials & Juniors.
I think that Grovers or those snot green tulip jobs look a bit ungainly on an SG & may cause them to be neck heavy, especially the Grovers

I found that the Tone Pros didn't add any noticeable weight, and they're more of a mucus yellow than snot green...

10-25-2009, 05:41 PM	#1 (permalink)
nadzab Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 44 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Replacement Tuners for SG Classic? Hello all, first-time poster here. I have an SG Classic on order, and I can't wait for it to arrive. I have a feeling, though, that the white plastic buttons on the tuners are going to drive me nuts...I'll see how I like them when the guitar arrives, but I anticipate that I'm going to want to switch them out for a set of keystone tuners. Would the Tonepros Klusons be a drop-in replacement? I was looking at the TPKB3 set. From the photos of the SG Classic I've seen online, it looks like the stock tuners have the bolt-type bushings, and I've read good things about the Tonepros...or is there another brand that would be better? I was looking at the Grover Deluxes as well...I want a set that works well, and uses the existing screw holes and peg holes with no modification. Any advice/recommendations would be appreciated, thanks.

10-25-2009, 06:46 PM	#2 (permalink)
AngryHatter Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: SoCal Posts: 778 Thanks: 6 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Replacement Tuners for SG Classic? Take a breath.

10-25-2009, 06:57 PM	#4 (permalink)
nadzab Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 44 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Replacement Tuners for SG Classic? That would be help...

10-26-2009, 02:55 AM	#5 (permalink)
TattooedCarrot Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: SoCal Posts: 1,156 Thanks: 1 Thanked 21 Times in 10 Posts	Re: Replacement Tuners for SG Classic? Not familiar with the TonePros, but Grovers will fit. The one's that will not fit without adapter bushings are the thinner post vintage style.

10-26-2009, 03:36 AM	#6 (permalink)
yllsacky Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: sweden uppsala! nice Posts: 2,473 Thanks: 66 Thanked 20 Times in 9 Posts	Re: Replacement Tuners for SG Classic? take drugs.... just kidding... you will get used to it __________________ B lessed U nder-rated C reative K ickass E lectrifying T ranquility H onorable E motion A wesome D efinitely the best guitarist of all time

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10-26-2009, 04:09 AM	#7 (permalink)
SG Lou Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Fords NJ Posts: 557 Thanks: 9 Thanked 50 Times in 9 Posts	Re: Replacement Tuners for SG Classic? I replaced the stock Gibson tuners on my 61 RI with the Grover Deluxe tuners and have never looked back. They are worth every penny ! __________________ "It's all Iommi's fault. I blame him entirely" A.L.S. Sux, Lets rid the world of this dreaded disease St. Moritz Guitars http://www.freewebs.com/stmoritzguitars/ stmoritzguitars@hotmail.com

10-26-2009, 09:23 AM	#8 (permalink)
SpinWheelz Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 1,479 Thanks: 13 Thanked 31 Times in 19 Posts	Re: Replacement Tuners for SG Classic? In my opinion, different tuners aren't needed. When I got my SG Classic, I had anticipated changing over the tuners as well, but after a very brief time, I found that they held their own pretty well, and quite frankly, like my Melody Maker, the white tuners give it a rather distinctive look. Keep the white tuners, I say.

10-26-2009, 12:22 PM	#9 (permalink)
H.E.L.Shane Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Mifflintown, PA Posts: 210 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Replacement Tuners for SG Classic? I just did a replacement on an SG Classic at the shop... I replaced the stock, white plastic round knob tuners, with Tone Pro's Kluson keystone yellow plastic knobbed tuners. these are a DIRECT fit and are both lighter and feel better, having a 15:1 tuning ratio. Not to mention... the LOOK like what i expect to see!! You'll need part TPKB3 __________________ Currently on the Bench: H.E.L. V Prototype, Prototype Batleth Bass, Custom Strat re-neck, In Paint: 1973 LP Bass, Custom Iceman Spin, J50D, Misc Kramer Current Stage Rig: HEL Valkyrie, HEL Interceptor, ADA MP-1 (3.666 Mod), G-Major, Sound Tech 2/3 Eq, BBE Maximizer, Micro-tube 200, Marshall 1960b cab.

10-26-2009, 06:01 PM	#10 (permalink)
nadzab Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 44 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Replacement Tuners for SG Classic? Thanks for the replies...if I don't care for the stock tuners on the SG Classic, I think I'll give the Tone Pros a shot. I have a feeling they might look better than the stock tuners on my '95 LP Standard too, which have the "pea soup green" shade:

10-28-2009, 05:14 PM	#11 (permalink)
AngryHatter Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: SoCal Posts: 778 Thanks: 6 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Replacement Tuners for SG Classic? I love the jade keys - dunno why.

10-29-2009, 01:44 PM	#13 (permalink)
H.E.L.Shane Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Mifflintown, PA Posts: 210 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Replacement Tuners for SG Classic? Yea.. the tone pros actually have a "marbleling" to them, they look much better in person that in that glam shot from the website! __________________ Currently on the Bench: H.E.L. V Prototype, Prototype Batleth Bass, Custom Strat re-neck, In Paint: 1973 LP Bass, Custom Iceman Spin, J50D, Misc Kramer Current Stage Rig: HEL Valkyrie, HEL Interceptor, ADA MP-1 (3.666 Mod), G-Major, Sound Tech 2/3 Eq, BBE Maximizer, Micro-tube 200, Marshall 1960b cab.

10-29-2009, 08:50 PM	#14 (permalink)
axepilot Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Southern NJ Posts: 1,352 Thanks: 14 Thanked 40 Times in 5 Posts	Re: Replacement Tuners for SG Classic? I left the stock tuners on my Classic. They work well and I'm not really too concerned about the aesthetics with this guitar. It looks good enough as is and it flat out rocks..................one of the best guitar purchases I've ever made. __________________ 1996 Les Paul Studio Gem, 2001 Les Paul Studio Plus, 2002 SG Supreme, 2006 Les Paul Standard LE, 2008 SG Classic, Fender Double Fat Strat, Bluesville "Super" Strat copy, Fender Tele, Ovation 1897 Adamas, Taylor 355CE Germino Club 40, Johnson JM150 Millennium, Johnson JM250 Millennium, Axe FX Standard rack rig, Mesa 4x12 cab (V30's), Highly modded Gibson Titan Medalist

10-29-2009, 08:57 PM	#15 (permalink)
duane v Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: So Cal Posts: 267 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Replacement Tuners for SG Classic? I went with the Kluson gold waffle backs..... I had to get the off-set bushings and do some minor drilling, but they look awesome IMO.

10-31-2009, 10:12 AM	#16 (permalink)
nadzab Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 44 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Replacement Tuners for SG Classic? Well, here she is, Tone Pros tuners installed. I have to say, she would not hold tuning out of the box, but I'll attribute that to the factory strings not being stretched yet, as opposed to the stock tuners. With the Tone Pros and a new set of strings, tuning is rock-solid. I was expecting metal-capped knobs? The all-plastic bell knobs it came with seem a little insubstantial (I'm used to speed knobs on my LP). Also, they turn a bit hard...does this have to do with the pots they use with the PCB? My '95 LP knobs turn much more smoothly, but I don't remember if they were stiffer when it was new. Most importantly, she plays beautifully...the neck is a hair slimmer than I was expecting, very nice. And the sound is fantastic, P-90 heaven!

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10-31-2009, 08:34 PM	#17 (permalink)
axepilot Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Southern NJ Posts: 1,352 Thanks: 14 Thanked 40 Times in 5 Posts	Re: Replacement Tuners for SG Classic? My Classic came with metal capped knobs........................but knobs are easy and cheap to replace. Congrats and enjoy your Classic................I love mine! __________________ 1996 Les Paul Studio Gem, 2001 Les Paul Studio Plus, 2002 SG Supreme, 2006 Les Paul Standard LE, 2008 SG Classic, Fender Double Fat Strat, Bluesville "Super" Strat copy, Fender Tele, Ovation 1897 Adamas, Taylor 355CE Germino Club 40, Johnson JM150 Millennium, Johnson JM250 Millennium, Axe FX Standard rack rig, Mesa 4x12 cab (V30's), Highly modded Gibson Titan Medalist

10-31-2009, 09:26 PM	#18 (permalink)
nadzab Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 44 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Replacement Tuners for SG Classic? Thought it was interesting that the year of manufacture is stamped right on the back of the headstock under "made in USA". Is Gibson doing that on all their new production models now?

11-04-2009, 12:15 AM	#19 (permalink)
circusboy28 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Petersham in sunny Sydney Posts: 2,334 Thanks: 47 Thanked 9 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Replacement Tuners for SG Classic? All the new Gibsons that I've seen in the last two years have the year stamped under the MIUSA. Apart from Custom Shop models, of course.

11-04-2009, 08:05 AM	#20 (permalink)
Dannyelectro Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 78 Thanks: 4 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Replacement Tuners for SG Classic? I jus *LOVES* me some P-90s. (P-100s too!) Looks great, big congrats. Year of production stamped on mine too.

11-05-2009, 04:03 AM	#21 (permalink)
p90rules Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 139 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Replacement Tuners for SG Classic? I like those little button tuners. They had them on the early Specials & Juniors. I think that Grovers or those snot green tulip jobs look a bit ungainly on an SG & may cause them to be neck heavy, especially the Grovers __________________ Steve Hunter & Dick Wagner Rock & Roll Animals.

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