Gotoh Tuner for $26, Worth It or Not?

[LPSTribute93]

Sooo, I have a Gibson Les Paul Special Tribute Humbucker. I don't have any issues at all, except tuning issue (sometimes). Actually I don't have any plan to buy new tuning machine. But I have an opportunity to buy Gotoh tuner for $26, model SD-90MG. Anyone have any experience with these? Will it make my guitar tuning stability better? Thank you.

 

[CB91710]

Tuning stability issues are nearly always an issue with the nut (or saddles).
The tuners are worm-drive. Unless they are extremely worn or damaged, it is impossible for the post to turn.

Cheap tuners are candidates for upgrade because of poor finish treatment, or they are difficult to tune due to being too tight, or excessive backlash.

 

[LPSTribute93]

Tuning stability issues are nearly always an issue with the nut (or saddles).
The tuners are worm-drive. Unless they are extremely worn or damaged, it is impossible for the post to turn.

Cheap tuners are candidates for upgrade because of poor finish treatment, or they are difficult to tune due to being too tight, or excessive backlash.

How did the Gotoh quality compared to Gibson's stock? Anyway I might buy the tuner. If it's better than Gibson's stock, I'll put it on my Gibson. If it's not, I'll put it on my Epiphone Casino (it's definitely better than old Epiphone no name tuner, right?)

 

[mudface]

How did the Gotoh quality compared to Gibson's stock? Anyway I might buy the tuner. If it's better than Gibson's stock, I'll put it on my Gibson. If it's not, I'll put it on my Epiphone Casino (it's definitely better than old Epiphone no name tuner, right?)

Gotohs are fine tuners,... and for that price.... it’s a bargain. As for being better than Gibson tuners.... you have to be more specific to what type.

 

[CB91710]

Gotoh makes good stuff.
If your Gibson parts are Grover, I don't think Gotoh is any better. I generally stick with the same parts as OE when upgrading to locking tuners because I know they'll have the same screw hole pattern.

 

[LPSTribute93]

Gotohs are fine tuners,... and for that price.... it’s a bargain. As for being better than Gibson tuners.... you have to be more specific to what type.

This is the tuner that come on my Gibson stock. Actually I don't think this is bad tuner. If I put the Gotoh on my Les Paul, this will come to my Casino (stock tuner on those are really bad).

Gotoh makes good stuff.
If your Gibson parts are Grover, I don't think Gotoh is any better. I generally stick with the same parts as OE when upgrading to locking tuners because I know they'll have the same screw hole pattern.

No, it's not Grover. It's something like this image.

 

[mudface]

This is the tuner that come on my Gibson stock. Actually I don't think this is bad tuner. If I put the Gotoh on my Les Paul, this will come to my Casino (stock tuner on those are really bad).


No, it's not Grover. It's something like this image.

The sealed diecast Gotoh tuners you mentioned are an upgrade to the bean button Klusons

 

[LPSTribute93]

The sealed diecast Gotoh tuners you mentioned are an upgrade to the bean button Klusons

Thank you. So I'll put the Gotoh on my Les Paul and Gibson's stock on my Casino. Thanks!

 

[CB91710]

Thank you. So I'll put the Gotoh on my Les Paul and Gibson's stock on my Casino. Thanks!

I don't know that the button Klusons would be an upgrade for the Epiphone.

 

[Roxy13]

I have SD 90s on at least half my guitars.

 

[Brek]

I have a set of those, great quality, and that price is very good. wether they solve your issue though is the thing.

 

[sonar1]

Sooo, I have a Gibson Les Paul Special Tribute Humbucker. I don't have any issues at all, except tuning issue (sometimes). Actually I don't have any plan to buy new tuning machine. But I have an opportunity to buy Gotoh tuner for $26, model SD-90MG. Anyone have any experience with these? Will it make my guitar tuning stability better? Thank you.

The tuners are worm-drive. Unless they are extremely worn or damaged, it is impossible for the post to turn.

Cheap tuners are candidates for upgrade because of poor finish treatment, or they are difficult to tune due to being too tight, or excessive backlash.

^^^^^^^^^
This.
I have the same guitar. It’s fine.
That said, the Gotoh tuners will likely have less lash.

But lash doesn’t matter at all, as long as you always come UP TO PITCH,
never down to pitch.

 

[BadPenguin]

Before changing the tuners, and making more holes than needed, have a tech look at the nut. As the first post after yours said, most of the time, it's the nut and not the tuners. Do you hear a "ping" when tuning, then it's sharp? Nut. A "ping" when bending, then it's flat? Nut.

 

[LPSTribute93]

I don't know that the button Klusons would be an upgrade for the Epiphone.

The tuners on Epiphone is not that good tho...

^^^^^^^^^
This.
I have the same guitar. It’s fine.
That said, the Gotoh tuners will likely have less lash.

But lash doesn’t matter at all, as long as you always come UP TO PITCH,
never down to pitch.

Yeah I come up to pitch. I know it's not bad tuners, but I'm considering this opportunity to buy a better one with next to no money.

Before changing the tuners, and making more holes than needed, have a tech look at the nut. As the first post after yours said, most of the time, it's the nut and not the tuners. Do you hear a "ping" when tuning, then it's sharp? Nut. A "ping" when bending, then it's flat? Nut.

I think it's a drop in replacement?

 

[sonar1]

Depends: if hex threaded bushings: yes

If press in bushings, probably need to ream out