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Post by creolian on Dec 9, 2017 15:52:01 GMT
Hello Michael, all, My requestion for Michael is ; cost no object, what would you replace the stock tuners on a MM lightning or similar with. TIA, all best, Jeff P.S. it actually snowed here in New Orleans for about ten minutes yesterday. Third time I've seen it in 60 years... And about the third time I've cashed a winning bet on a horse race  |
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Post by bonzo on Dec 9, 2017 16:44:13 GMT
Hence the cost no object? Lol!
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Post by creolian on Dec 9, 2017 18:40:09 GMT
Hence the cost no object? Lol! Irony is that on Tuesday I was looking to learn the tune, Brother Can You Spare A Dime... luck could not have come at a more needed pimento in time. After giving my good gal some, my daughter, niece and nephews, the dentist, the auto mechanic, red cross donation, the electric company, some tuners, yada yada yada... I'll be happily broke again  Im not going too crazy but it looks like a choice of waverlys or grovers w white buttons. I have no prior experience with open tuners but after a few string changes and tuning going a bit flat regularly on the Republic, it could use some help there. NRP Delphi tuners are better but those could use improvement. I tried to adjust tension on the rep. And it doesn't seem to be the fix... The waverlys on my beard seem to find pitch with no diddling back and forth and it stays in tune. They do cost 3x more than Grovers. Im just curious as to what Michaels "dream" tuners might be. What are you using ? All best, Jeff |
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Post by Michael Messer on Dec 9, 2017 18:48:17 GMT
Hi Jeff
As long as a set of tuners works properly, I don't really ask that much of them. I have a very fussy ear and can't stand out of tune guitars, but as long as the tuners work and hold the string in tune, that's about all I ask of them. I guess Waverley are the best for this type of guitar. Waverley tuners for slotted headstock are around 230 USD /170 GBP, which is a lot to spend on a budget priced guitar and they won't be any more in tune as a cheaper set, which in many ways are more authentic and suitable. Waverleys are good on old Tricones. The set that I would choose for an MM, Republic, or new National (NRP), is the Stewmac Golden Age, which are around 45 USD /30 GBP. These are really good and have a nice vintage look to them. The ones I have on my MM guitars are similar to the Golden Age ones, possibly from the same manufacturer. Mike Lewis of Fine Resophonic Guitars, uses Schaller tuners. Mike strips them down and changes the buttons so they look a bit more vintage. I think Schallers are around 50 USD /35 GBP.
I hope that is helpful.
Shine On
Michael
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Post by creolian on Dec 9, 2017 19:09:58 GMT
Hi Michael, Waverlys from Stewie are about 140$ here... But there are some black pearl button models that run 230usd. If the beard only had a slotted headstock... I also go nuts when my guitar goes out, especially in that this one needs a touch up every couple minutes. For all of its little finish faults, other than going flat, The Republic is sounding and playing really good. After working the saddle and lowering the action it's become the go to when I'm lazing about. I'm sure I'm going to keep it and am willing to spend the money. Risking a flaying here, I'm not at all concerned about how it looks authenticity wise, have to admit I do like a little flash... At this point, I like the republic better than the NRP. Im thinking of selling it along with a few electrics and buying a Ron Phillips Tricone I have a bead on. Admittedly the NRP needs some work to get to its potential but that's going to require another stroke of luck or time to save up. Going to cogitate on it a bit. Thanks for the reply ! I'd be lost without Y'all... Brother, If you need a dime, just ask, I'm flush, better hurry tho All best, Jeff |
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Post by Michael Messer on Dec 9, 2017 19:33:05 GMT
Ron Phillips guitars are very nice. I think they are an acquired taste, but they are well built, they play well and they sound great. You would not be making a mistake by owning one.
Thanks for the kind words. It is a pleasure!
Shine On
Michael.
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Post by snakehips on Dec 10, 2017 13:54:27 GMT
Hi there !
I also highly praise the Stewmac tuners - but avoid the Fleur de Lis ones as they are nowhere near as good as the more basic looking ones.
Despite most versions of the Stewmac tuners being great for 6-string guitars, their 12-string guitar tuner set are less great for some reason - but I can’t see why.
There are a few other alternatives at the same price level as Waverly tuners, as well as the even more expensive hand-made ones like Rogers and Robson tuners.
I have found a German company whose tuners look somewhere between Waverlys and the Rogers/Robson tuners.
They are the Rubner brand, made in Germany but I think now owned by a US company, as all my email discussions with them have been via a guy in the USA.
Their website shows very high-end tuners eith a wide variety of ornate designs BUT they can do simple tuner plate designs too.
I have a 12-string guitar with a Stewmac 6-on-a-plate set - that just don’t do the guitar justice.
For something 1920’s / 30’s looking, the Stewmac ones are the ONLY decent ones available at a decent price BUT not quite good enough IMHO.
I have ordered a 12-string set with plain metal plates, nothing fancy, and will see how they turn out.
I’ll keep y’all posted !
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Post by creolian on Dec 10, 2017 23:33:06 GMT
Hi Snakey, I've enjoyed watching your YouTube performances... Most excellent !
And thanks. For the info. Going in that direction I would have almost automatically chosen anything with a Fleur De Lis as it's the symbol of Bourbon New Orleans....
Taking off a stock tuner last night to measure for a replacement I found the shaft crudely cut, unfinished with its sharp angled edge edge grinding in the hole... Cleaned it up and it works much better. I still need to do the others and maybe that will fix the problem. I'll leave it as is before drilling new mount holes. Regardless, I'm going to put some bushings in the head.
A call to republic is in order to see if any are direct replacements. Updates probably will wait a couple weeks...
All best,
Jeff
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Post by snakehips on Dec 10, 2017 23:55:16 GMT
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Post by Stevie on Dec 11, 2017 8:56:40 GMT
It's as well to remember that in addition to the attachment screw hole locations, the pitch between the capstans does vary slightly from one manufacturer to another, although the Stewmac Golden Age were a very good fit in my MMB after I counterbored the headstock capstan holes to let the capstan plates to sit flush.
It's nothing that cannot be overcome, but might imply a little extra considered work during installation. I found this out the hard way with a set of Rubners for my Hora slot head Romanian bouzouki. They bind up in the holes making them very stiff, but once strung up and intonated, I will not pass comment on those German machine heads until I get around to revisiting that task (part of the five year plan).
Sounds as though you may well have cracked it though Jeff.
e&oe...
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Post by creolian on Dec 11, 2017 12:12:23 GMT
I hear ya Steve. After looking at the dimensional drawings and measuring (with the calipers as a machinist rule isn't precise enough) I realize there is a bit more than meets the eye when replacing tuners. I am confident I can handle it but it would be nice if there's a plug and play tuner set I can drop in if I cant get the ones on it working well... Fingers crossed. From some recent experience I have a fear of drill bits ;:-0 and Nothing comes up from a web search for Republic Direct Replacement tuners.
At least the bushings should drop in as there is enough clearance around the shafts. Almost as if the headstock was drilled for them and they were left out. I'll be taking some pics of the process.
All Best,
Jeff
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Post by Michael Messer on Dec 11, 2017 12:47:11 GMT
Jeff, can you post a photo of the headstock & tuners of your Republic guitar? Then I will know exactly what you need to replace.
Shine On
Michael
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Post by creolian on Dec 11, 2017 17:04:15 GMT
Hi Michael, Heres the Republic and pics of the tuners, the saddle before I un-mangled it. One tuner I took off with a burr on the end that was digging around and binding I think. The side view shows the bad tolerance of the shaft holes. Looks like they were drilled for bushings that were never installed. Shame that Republic does not QC these a little better. Its a nice sounding guitar, is playing better than I can play it and it will be a bit easier to tune and stay there once I get the tuner situation sussed. Can't thank y'all enough for the help. All best, Jeff |
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Post by kiwi on Dec 12, 2017 6:50:15 GMT
Having owned 5 Republics and still having a wood body tricone that is one thing I have never had a problem with is the tuners. Two with poor internal wood work and set up. That looks bad. I notice the website has far fewer guitars in stock, perhaps the death of Frank senior has affected the company.
I will also say the Stewmac Golden Age are great tuners, I have used them on 5 vintage Harmony guitars and they drop right in and I have not even had to drill a new screw hole.
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Post by Michael Messer on Dec 12, 2017 9:41:47 GMT
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