Official Luthiers Forum!

Hi-

I bought this guitar a few days ago and need everyone's opinion. It's a 2005 Sergei de Jonge SSS model (Standard Steel String) - red spruce top and Brazilian rosewood back and sides. It has abalone inlay around the top and the rosette and a tortoise pickguard. It is a modern fingerstyle guitar but with the appointments and the adirondack/brazilian wood combo, it kind of has a vintage/pre-war vibe thing going on.

I like the schaller tuners but they are heavy and one or two is starting to slip. I want to replace them with either gold Gotoh 501s or gold Waverlys. I tend to think of 501s for modern fingerstyle steel strings and Waverlys for vintage Martins/Gibsons and their fine replicas.

Everyone please chime in and tell me what you think I need to replace these Schallers with. Also, what type of buttons go with your choice of tuner?

Thanks-

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John Lewis
Wannabe builder owned by 2 crazy dachshunds

Go here at the Dream Guitars website for much better pictures of the guitar.

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John Lewis
Wannabe builder owned by 2 crazy dachshunds

I think you should send it to me for a very lengthy, careful evaluation.

Gold Waverlys with Snakewood knobs.   

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now known around here as Pat Foster
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http://www.patfosterguitars.com

Gold Waverly's w/ Snakewood buttons.

No doubt about it.

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

I'd warranty the Schallers and keep it all original. I've enjoyed German Gold Schallers on several instruments and they are wonderful tuners. The finish is incredible too.

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http://www.dickeyguitars.com

I think you should spring for the 'real deal': a set of Rodgers tuners. That's what Sergei puts on the expensive jobs; he could probably get you a set from his 'quota'.

In for a penny, in for a pound.....

Cheers

John

That's one expensive guitar. And very very nice. Are your Schallers antique finish? They don't look like mine?

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http://www.dickeyguitars.com

That guitar sound CAPITAL A Amazing!!!!
Wow Sergei is one amazing builder, and you are one lucky guy!!
I wish we could lure Sergei here somehow!
Cheers
Charliewood

Schallers and Gotohs both fit 10mm holes, just FYI.

I prefer the feel of Gotohs, although Schaller is still a good tuning machine.

Congrats on a great guitar!!I'd go with Waverlys!

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Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

Thanks everybody.

Bruce - these tuners are naturally "antiqued". The first owner played the fool out of this guitar - it is well cared for but some of the gold plate is looking more silvery-gold now. It looks kind of neat though.

I thought 1 or 2 tuners were going bad but after actually paying attention, noticed that a few of the strings are binding in their nut slot - an easy fix. I feel really dumb for mistaking these 2 problems - not an uncommon thing for me. I just now got the chance to really sit down and give the guitar a good going over.   

Thanks again for all your help guys-

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John Lewis
Wannabe builder owned by 2 crazy dachshunds

Congrats John, I was wondering when somebody was going to buy that one. I don't like the fact that the original owner added that particular pickguard but whatever. Enjoy.