Replacing Tuner Machine Heads

[Jeremy]

Hi,

I am doing a "make-over" if you'd like to call it that to my epiphone les paul standard (ebony). I am doing the following things and need some opinions on tuners...

-Scrap of fretboard (done)
-Re-oil of fretboard (done)
-Removal of stickers
-Dull finish
-New tuners
-Re-wire (50's style)

I want to get these tuners for the classic look...

Grover Vintage 3x3 Guitar Tuners/Machines Nickel - eBay (item 120445579414 end time Aug-06-09 18:31:38 PDT)

Simple question... Will they fit my epiphone les paul?

Cheers

 

[gibsonpa]

I just put the "gibson brand" of those on my Epi Les Paul Studio Deluxe (wine red) last week.

They did not fit without some work. The headstock holes were not quite big enough, but it was pretty easy to just drill a little bigger...only the bottom half the hole needed to be drilled...kind of hard to explain.

The tiny screw holes on the back of the headstock were very close to aligning up...close enough you could start the screws, and they just went into place. It looks really nice now, and holds a tune very well!

Hope that helps.

 

[The_Sentry]

Meh....no comment.

 

[Jeremy]

Cheers Gibson, I thought some drilling might be required, not really worried about that however.

Meh....no comment.

Did I miss something? or are you simply wasting my time?

 

[The Guitarist]

Did I miss something? or are you simply wasting my time?

Woah there! don't worry about sent he is far too superior to answer mere mortal questions....

 

[WorncherryLP]

Cheers Gibson, I thought some drilling might be required, not really worried about that however.

If you have Grover Rotomatics on your Epi LP now, the Grover Deluxe tuners will fit without any new drilling. Both fit the 10mm hole.

WCLP...

 

[Jeremy]

I have Grover tuners in their now, but they are kidney shaped and chrome (both of which I don't like). I want the vintage Gibson looking grovers and have hence bought them. I assume they will fit but I am prepared to drill a hole if necessary.

 

[Silly_Sam]

you're also gonna need these, since the holes in your headstock are bigger than the tuners require.

Vintage Tuner Conversion Bushings

 

[Jeremy]

Just found they are Rotomatic tuners, so they should be fine for the new Deluxe tuners?

Cheers for the replies!

 

[The_Sentry]

Woah there! don't worry about sent he is far too superior to answer mere mortal questions....

Nah....I've dished on this topic before.....

Eh, the Grovers that come with the Epi's are better than the vintage tuners.

The gear ratio is inferior, and they're not a direct drop in. Long and short it's money out of pocket and a mod towards the end result of putting plastic tipped caca on the Epi which in turn will not allow it to keep its tuning as well.

(Shoulda let sleeping dogs lie, as the saying goes. )

IF you've got a tulip fetish....get Gibson modern machine heads. That's what they use on the Custom Shop guitars....(and unlike the Vintage tuners, those ARE a direct drop in replacement...)

 

[yllsacky]

i changed my tuners from schallers to wilkksonn grovers both where 10mm holes so i think it would work the other way around..

BTW my guitar is really neck heavy now trust me!

 

[Jeremy]

Thanks for the replys, I have decided not to change the tuners just yet because I haven't decided what I will do. I know the epi grovers are good, but one is broken so I think I need to get them done and I like the look of the vintage grovers.

 

[The_Sentry]

Gibson Modern Nickel Machine Heads with Metal Buttons and more Guitar Pickups and Parts at GuitarCenter.com.

Sleeping dogs...

 

[Christmas]

I swear I've read about this same subject in this forum somewhere before...but I may be wrong.

 

[WorncherryLP]

Jeremy,

Here's the specs on both style Grover tuners. As can be seen, both will fit the Epi. 10mm hole.

WCLP...

 

[Jeremy]

Cheers for the replies, I am going ahead with the swap because my tuner is broken and I like the other look better. I have researched and they are a direct drop in apart from screw holes which will need to be drilled and there will be some existing holes from the old tuners showing but apparently they are hidden by the new tuners. This is all from a guy who has done the same swap. I have seen the pictures and the guitar looks good. Cheers.