Tuning gears

[beaverHausen]

Hi Michael

How much would it cost to get a set of replacement tuning gears?

I bought a 2nd hand MM Blues 12 fret and when I recently changed strings noticed the holes are't central and are all off to one side, I can't put the E strings to the right side if that makes sense.

[Michael Messer]

Hello BeaverHausen,

Those look like Stu-Mac Retro tuners. I only carry the similar tuners to the ones you have there, so I cannot help you with a new set.

Why is that off-centre hole a problem? In fact it works well because the string winding around the post is to the outside of the hole.

One last question; in your photo it looks like you have removed all the strings and have the guitar upright. This is really going to throw your intonation out because the cone has moved. Strings should be changed one at a time on resonator guitars.

Shine On
Michael

[beaverHausen]

Hi Michael and thanks for the reply.

Are you saying I should be winding all the strings to the outside of the headstock?

Forgive me, I'm a newbie to slotted headstocks but thought that the two E string always went to the inside, like in the pic below.

Yes, I did remove all the strings as I wanted to treat the fretboard with some beeswax and give it a polish.

[Michael Messer]

Hi beaverHausen,

On all National-type slotted headstocks I always wind all 6 strings to the outside of the headstock. I like the string to wrap 4 times around the post. It sits in place, holds in tune and looks tidy.

Ahhh...beeswax! I would just use lemon oil, but won't do any harm.

I'll take a photo later and post it on here

Shine On
Michael

[beaverHausen]

Hi Michael,

Thanks for the reply. I suppose doing all the strings to the outside makes for a better angle on the E strings, I shall remember that for next time.

[archiekidd]

Hello there beaverHausen,
Obviously Michael's responses have completely covered the question/query you posted.
Having an MM Blues myself, and many, many guitars before (and a few now!) I've got to admit the placement/location of the holes has never really even registered in my mind, if you know what I mean ? I changed strings recently, and I think every player has their own little idiosyncratic way of doing it (echoing Michael's replies, really best to avoid taking all the strings off !! - couldn't you still carefully 'treat' your fretboard if you replace one string at a time ?). Perhaps as you say, if you're not 100% used to slotted headstocks it might have 'thrown' you a bit,particularly if you're comparing the detail to another guitar you have ... but mine are the same as yours and their placement seems sensible to me, though as I said, I don't think I've ever had cause to question their location.
Have fun ... your MM will serve you terrifically well !!

[Michael Messer]

Archiekidd has raised a good point about cleaning the fretboard. If and when I clean a fretboard on a resonator guitar and I don't want to screw up the intonation, I leave one or both of the middle strings (D & G) on. Then I can clean the whole fretboard without the cone moving. I should add that I don't clean fretboards on my working guitars very often, maybe once in a decade! I just don't like disturbing my guitars.

Shine On
Michael

[beaverHausen]

Many thanks for the advice guys, duly noted!