60th Anniv. F 30

[richardp69]

So, Charlie (iceman) and I have done a number of recent trades. One involved him getting my 60th Anniv.

While playing it etc. one of the tuning machines went bad and the button just turns freely. I know others have complained about those tuners over time. II had never had a problem but do now.

I'm taking the guitar back in exchange for another guitar. Now I need to decide if I buy identical replacement tuners or buy a set of drop ins. Stew Mac apparently has them for about $300.

My gut te;lls me I should go with the original replacements but man, that's a lot of cash for tuning machines.

What do all of you say about how I should proceed. I'm going to keep the guitar and sell my F 30 GSR Cocobolo model.

 

[Westerly Wood]

Depends on if you want it to be like the original tuners you had vs how much you play it vs how much having drop-ins will bother you over time vs cost effectiveness. For me, having "original" tuners is not critical, I just want the tuners to work, turn and hold tune. However, this is a 60th anniversary and probably special to you, vs say mine that are not special nor collectible items.

 

[richardp69]

Depends on if you want it to be like the original tuners you had vs how much you play it vs how much having drop-ins will bother you over time vs cost effectiveness. For me, having "original" tuners is not critical, I just want the tuners to work, turn and hold tune. However, this is a 60th anniversary and probably special to you, vs say mine that are not special nor collectible items.

Yup, that's the struggle I'm having. Just like all my gear, it will get sold at some point. But, likely not soon. I always loved the sound and looks of that guitar.

 

[HeyMikey]

Maybe somebody on LTG has an extra
tuner available?

 

[twocorgis]

Those tuners are junk (the G shield ones), and are basically unobtanium. I had a knob on my Orpheum OM disintegrate when I was changing strings, and used one from the set I took off the jumbo, to put on the most excellent "regular" SE700s that are supposed to be the same, but are MUCH better. There is a set that's similar from Gotoh, but are minus the G shield.

NEW Gotoh SE700-M5 OPEN-GEAR Tuning Keys L3+R3 w/ IVORY Buttons 3x3 - NICKEL | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for NEW Gotoh SE700-M5 OPEN-GEAR Tuning Keys L3+R3 w/ IVORY Buttons 3x3 - NICKEL at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[chazmo]

Good luck with the replacements, Richard. That's too bad.

I'm not sure what I'd do in your position, but did the buyer ask to return it to you? Why not just let him fix it the way he wants to?

 

[HeyMikey]

Following on Sandy’s lead, they also have them in gold also for about $70ish. Maybe you can swap the wood buttons from the Guild set to a new gold set.

NEW Gotoh SE700-05M OPEN-GEAR Tuning Keys L3+R3 w/ screws 3x3 Tuners - GOLD | eBay

15:1 tuning ratio. Includes bushings and screws.

www.ebay.com

Or these with ivory buttons

NEW Gotoh SE700-M5 OPEN-GEAR Tuning Keys L3+R3 w/ OVAL IVORY Buttons 3x3 - GOLD | eBay

15:1 tuning ratio. Made in Japan. Includes bushings and screws.

www.ebay.com

 

[twocorgis]

Following on Sandy’s lead, they also have them in gold also for about $70ish. Maybe you can swap the wood buttons from the Guild set to a new gold set.

NEW Gotoh SE700-05M OPEN-GEAR Tuning Keys L3+R3 w/ screws 3x3 Tuners - GOLD | eBay

15:1 tuning ratio. Includes bushings and screws.

www.ebay.com

Or these with ivory buttons

NEW Gotoh SE700-M5 OPEN-GEAR Tuning Keys L3+R3 w/ OVAL IVORY Buttons 3x3 - GOLD | eBay

15:1 tuning ratio. Made in Japan. Includes bushings and screws.

www.ebay.com

I just saw these, with quasi koa looking buttons, that might go well on the guitar. I offered Rich one of my G shield tuners, but after looking at images of the guitar, that's not what's on there.

NEW Gotoh SE700-P5R OPEN-GEAR Tuning Keys L3+R3 w/ AMBER Buttons 3x3 - NICKEL | Reverb

- 15:1 tuning ratio - ROCK-SOLID posts prevent the rocking of string post - Includes bushings and screws - BRAND NEW - Made in Japan

reverb.com

 

[HeyMikey]

I just saw these, with quasi looking koa buttons, that might go well on the guitar. I offered Rich one of my G shield tuners, but after looking at images of the gutiat, that's not what's on there.

NEW Gotoh SE700-P5R OPEN-GEAR Tuning Keys L3+R3 w/ AMBER Buttons 3x3 - NICKEL | Reverb

- 15:1 tuning ratio - ROCK-SOLID posts prevent the rocking of string post - Includes bushings and screws - BRAND NEW - Made in Japan

reverb.com

The amber ones look like plastic not wood, but they may work as well.

This is what is on the 60th now.

 

[merlin6666]

It is not clear if the tuner is broken or the button has come lose. If the button has come lose then maybe it can be fixed. If the whole tuner set gets replaced, maybe the old buttons can be used on new tuners?

 

[twocorgis]

It is not clear if the tuner is broken or the button has come lose. If the button has come lose then maybe it can be fixed. If the whole tuner set gets replaced, maybe the old buttons can be used on new tuners?

If they're like the G shield tuners, they're a press fit, not screw on, which is really too bad. The SE700s with metal buttons are all screw on.

 

[Boneman]

Those are Waverly tuners in that photo, Stew Mac does have them, even call them anniversary models:
https://www.stewmac.com/parts-and-h.../waverly-anniversary-collection-in-snakewood/

 

[twocorgis]

Those are Waverly tuners in that photo, Stew Mac does have them, even call them anniversary models:
https://www.stewmac.com/parts-and-h.../waverly-anniversary-collection-in-snakewood/

Well, there you go! I didn't think New Hartford ever used Waverlys, but it sure looks right. And only $300!

 

[HeyMikey]

I’ll have to check but I think the Orpheum and some GSRs used the Goto with G shields.

Many those Waverly are pricy, but then again for a 60th Anniversary of that caliber I can see it .

 

[Boneman]

15% off, down to $260 if you act now! Lol

 

[twocorgis]

15% off, down to $260 if you act now! Lol

StewMac offered me a free Max membership with any purchase, no minimum. But every time I look at their prices, I want to keel over!

 

[richardp69]

Maybe a happy ending here. I tried to find the Waverly home page to talk to them about my issues but just couldn't find it. Then Sandy told me they were owned by Stew Mac. I contacted them thru Reverb and they responded right away, I mean within 30 minutes. It looks like they will be sending me replacement tuning machines at no cost. Not sure if it will be the four that are or seem to be bad or an entire set but I'm grateful for their help.

It's nice when a company stands up, does the right thing and takes care of their customer. Hopefully, it all works out ok.

 

[Rich Cohen]

Maybe a happy ending here. I tried to find the Waverly home page to talk to them about my issues but just couldn't find it. Then Sandy told me they were owned by Stew Mac. I contacted them thru Reverb and they responded right away, I mean within 30 minutes. It looks like they will be sending me replacement tuning machines at no cost. Not sure if it will be the four that are or seem to be bad or an entire set but I'm grateful for their help.

It's nice when a company stands up, does the right thing and takes care of their customer. Hopefully, it all works out ok.

Great to hear! LTGers and Stew Mac are standuppers.

 

[Stuball48]

Makes me like Stew Mac even more.

 

[wileypickett]

Stew Mac has always stood behind their products. I buy from them often enough that it's worth paying for the "free" shipping, which applies to whatever you buy for a full year.

A few years back, they replaced some tool that I bought, which was not exctly defective -- just a little wonky. I could have lived with it, but I wrote them just to make sure I was using it correctly.

They insisted on replacing it, for free, and I had it within three days.

(And for many projects, Dan Erlewine's videos are invaluable.)