Official Luthiers Forum!

Hi,

This is my first post. I'm building from a kit and I'm getting ready to install the tuners for a slot head. The slot is 4" long. I'm assuming the middle tuner goes in the middle of the slot. Can some please tell me on what center the other two go. I'm using Grover machine heads, does anyone off hand know what size hole they will need. If I use a caliper and measure the posts, how much larger should I make the hole. Thanks for the help.

Peter

 

 

   I think the spec is 1 3/8" centers
john

[QUOTE=tippie53]    I think the spec is 1 3/8" centers
john[/QUOTE]
That's what my StewMac OOO plan shows: 4 inch slot with 1.375 centers. Gears toward body, knobs away.
As usual John Hall is right on the money.

I find it useful to do a full scale drawing of the slots and nut with string slots and check that strings will have a clear unobstructed run from the nut to the machine head roller. On one of my classicals I didnt cut slots close enough to the nut and some of the strings ended up rubbing against side of the slot.

If you can get a hold of the machine heads before doing any cutting and drilling.

I'm having trouble with having no instructions for the Grover H 97 tuners. Nothing on their web site either. I have tuners, screws and bushings. First two are pretty simple. The bushings are puzzling. Looking at the headstock I have The Tuner, wood, slot, wood center of headstock. Where do I place the bushing or do I not use them at all? You would have thought Grover might want to mention something in the packaging or on their Web Site.

This site is a great resource.

Thanks for all your help.

Peter

i have known some folks to use the bushings, though they are not abolutlely required. if used, the go on the medial wall of the slot for the end of the tuner roller to roll in.

I thought of that but became quickly confused as I would have to drill a 1/4" hole for the tuner post and then try to get to the "medial " side and drill a larger hole ( at least 11/32 for there to be any chance of having the bushing seat). I was able to get much better information from the Waverly site. They actually have installation instruction as well as drawings with dimensions. I know which tuners I'll be buying for the next build.

Thanks again for the responses, they are all very helpful.

Thanks

Peter

no, just drill the one hole. the idea is that the machine end of the roller is supported by the machine plate.

yeah, waverley makes a great tune, for about $100 extra cost.

Peter, if you use the bushing, you'll have to drill the larger hole throughout. It sounds dangerous, but you'd have metal supporting the end of the post as well as the tuner plate on the knob side, which should limit excessive play in the post. As has been said, a lot of people don't use the bushings, though. Either way works.

[QUOTE=CarltonM] Either way works.[/QUOTE]

And the smaller hole (without bushing) looks better to boot IMO.