Replacing my Grovers for Deluxe tuners.

[PierM]

agreed that the gibson deluxe tuners aint as good as grovers and have a lower ratio.. but to call them garbage is kinda strong words.

The original design is from 1930, and those had the tuner locked to the base plate. The Gibson Deluxe doesn’t even met those specs, using the cover to hold the parts togheter, without clamping the cover. I’m pretty sure I can call them garbage, as a personal opinion of course (Am i allowed to have one?). Again, I keep them when they come stock, but I wouldnt, ever, use them as an upgrade in any guitar.

 

[Macronaut]

Then, if you don’t like the kidneys, you could swap with tulips for cheap:

https://www.allparts.com/TK-7722-001-Nickel-Keystone-Buttons-for-Grover-Tuners_p_3926.html

At risk of a highjack, where can I find Tulips for the 502C series locking Grovers? I've searched to no avail.

 

[scozz]

Why ‘garbage’. Mine work fine.

Yeah...I think sometimes @PierM goes over the top a bit!!

 

[scozz]

I replaced the Gibson Deluxe tuners with Grover Deluxe tuners on my Studio. I wanted to keep the vintage look but with a better tuner.

Even though they’re only 14-1 they’re better quality and more smooth and precise.

 

[PierM]

Yeah...I think sometimes @PierM goes over the top a bit!!

Wow you are too sensitive guys LOOL!

 

[scozz]

That’s a “classic twosome” of guitars you’ve got there @Fedejh.

I prefer the look of the vintage Gibson Deluxes....especially with a P90 loaded GT!

I don’t know if I’d swap out the Grovers though.

 

[GunMonkeyINTL]

Yeah...I think sometimes @PierM goes over the top a bit!!

Some folks just don’t realize that not every opinion has to be a hyperbolic one.

 

[JeffH66]

This is usually what I do too. I love Grovers, but for some reason I just like the look of the Kluson style tuners better, on a Les Paul.

I replaced the Gibson Deluxe tuners with Grover Deluxe tuners on my Studio. I wanted to keep the vintage look but with a better tuner.

Even though they’re only 14-1 they’re better quality and more smooth and precise.

 

[AlanBiker]

I fitted these to my 2016 Traditional and they work very well. They have 19:1 ratio and look good too,

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0741CK...colid=2K5I006Z8XR41&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it&th=1

They are probably a bit cheaper in the US than we have to pay.

Alan

 

[kekam35]

If you insist on changing tuners there are much better replacements to be had than the Gibson Deluxe. I’ve had those freeze up on me before, and with the glued on buttons, if you pry too hard you’ll snap the glue and just have the button spinning on the shaft. That’s never fun.

 

[scozz]

I agree with @AlanBiker....if you insist on changing them out I would put either the Grover Deluxes, (like my Studio pic), or these on....

https://reverb.com/item/8577079-klu...3-pearloid-keystone-button-nickel-kedpl-3801n

 

[afjungemann]

+1 on not changing them. Feels like a “cant leave well enough alone” situation.

 

[AlanBiker]

The reason I went for the Kluson lockers was because they were a direct replacement for the Gibson Deluxe tuners with no woodworking or extra holes needed.

Alan

 

[rogue3]

It's an aesthetic upgrade, Grovers are fugly.

I sorta agree..

I don't mind them on a Lester, but i loathe them on my HD28 Martin. They work fine,but,the original open vintage(martin) tuners look so much nicer, and seem to work a little better.

 

[Breezin]

This seems to be just like the Pick gaurd on/off debate, just agree to disagree.

I myself don't like the look of milk bottle grovers so I usually swap them for keystones.

OP you don't have to add the extra hole to install the deluxe's, just use 1 screw. I have been using them this way for 30 years without any problems, and it gives you the option of going back to the Grovers and not and having the eyesore of the extra hole.

 

[Jeremiah]

Could you just change the buttons to a plastic keystones?

 

[MSB]

i just think with all the options out these days, drilling holes is a last resort. Heck, the hipshot ones require no holes period, iirc.

I will say I've bent my fair share of GD tuners, but can't say I recall bending a grover, though I much prefer the keystone tuners.

 

[NHTom]

I wanted the "vintage" look on my 2010standard, but liked the performance of the modern grovers………..problem solved for like $10.00

BEFORE

AFTER

NHTom

 

[BrianB]

I wanted the "vintage" look on my 2010standard, but liked the performance of the modern grovers………..problem solved for like $10.00

BEFORE

AFTER

NHTom

I got a set of those for my '92. Loved them. Notice the past tense there? Yeahhhhhh...

One of them cracked in half and spun uselessly on the screw after a few months. Right on the molding seam, not from abuse.

Brilliant product, but they may be a bit...delicate?

 

[scozz]

Did someone say cheap junk? The tuners on my old Melody Maker are still working. Note that the gear on the D string doesn’t even have the right screw in it anymore.

View attachment 328164

That pic reminds me of the tuners on my 1974 Guild D35. Original tuners and nut.... and this acoustic holds tune perfectly...and has for the 44 years I’ve owned it!!