Replacement tuners for a '73 D-35, any suggestions?

[E-Type]

I recently bought a '73 D-35 and the selling store had replaced the tuners with some cheap, no name, gold tuners that fit the holes. I am planning on replacing them as 1) they are not great, and 2) I hate the gold. But I'd very much rather not create any new holes. This one came with the 6 individual tuners rather than the three together on a plate variety. I bought some Grover sta-tites as the holes seem to be a very close 1.03" apart. But I don't love the look and would rather find something with a more early 70s vibe. But I cannot find any that have holes slightly further apart than 1". Anyone do this for a D-35 or D-40 that had those ovaly shaped tuners?

I am guessing it had these.

Because if it had these, I'll cry (so cool!)

 

[Br1ck]

I would look at Klusons, both individual and three on a plate, or regular Waverley or Gotoh copies. I'd hate to add the weight, but look at the Grover Rotomatics too. Hole spacing and headstock bushing size are also a factor.

 

[twocorgis]

These look like the tunes that came with the '70 Starfire IV I bought recently. One of them was missing, and replaced with a cheap Wilkinson, so I got one from Hans for what I consider to be a very reasonable price considering it's coming from the Netherlands. Should be here Tuesday, and then it's off to my luthier to get everything sorted on it. NGD coming!

 

[E-Type]

I would look at Klusons, both individual and three on a plate, or regular Waverley or Gotoh copies. I'd hate to add the weight, but look at the Grover Rotomatics too. Hole spacing and headstock bushing size are also a factor.

Crazy how few mfgs post these spacing specs..

 

[E-Type]

These look like the tunes that came with the '70 Starfire IV I bought recently. One of them was missing, and replaced with a cheap Wilkinson, so I got one from Hans for what I consider to be a very reasonable price considering it's coming from the Netherlands. Should be here Tuesday, and then it's off to my luthier to get everything sorted on it. NGD coming!

Hmmm, I wonder if @hansmoust has 6 more???!!!

 

[bobouz]

I really like the original tuners (top photo) that came with the D-35, D-40, & G-37 in the’70s. I currently have them on my ‘76 G-37, and rebuilt the button shafts using flat & bent washers from metric Grover Rotomatics. The parts fit perfectly & operation is now pleasingly smooth.

 

[SFIV1967]

Hmmm, I wonder if @hansmoust has 6 more???!!!

But if your one had the Gotoh tuners as in the left picture those ROKO (Robert Kolb) tuners in the right picture would not cover the old holes! The ROKO tuners are smaller.



Ralf

 

[chazmo]

But if your one had the Gotoh tuners as in the left picture those ROKO (Robert Kolb) tuners in the right picture would not cover the old holes! The ROKO tuners are smaller.



Ralf

That's true. But, I'd go with them anyway. I'd take off one of those tuners that you have and look at what the situation is underneath it before doing anything.

 

[E-Type]

But if your one had the Gotoh tuners as in the left picture those ROKO (Robert Kolb) tuners in the right picture would not cover the old holes! The ROKO tuners are smaller.



Ralf

Good point! Looking at what’s on there now, it’s not the smaller ones.

 

[BradHK]

I'd take off one of those tuners that you have and look at what the situation is underneath it before doing anything.

Agree! It will let you know if additional holes have been drilled and you will often see the imprint from the original tuners to confirm what was on there when it left the factory.

 

[Westerly Wood]

Pretty much same headstock as I have on my 1971 D25 BR. When I got some work done to it years ago, the luthier asked if I was ok with him replacing the tuners with the Kluson white ones, and I said, sure, no problem. They work great still and easily covered any would be holes.

 

[E-Type]

Pretty much same headstock as I have on my 1971 D25 BR. When I got some work done to it years ago, the luthier asked if I was ok with him replacing the tuners with the Kluson white ones, and I said, sure, no problem. They work great still and easily covered any would be holes.

I used these (with the metal knobs) on a '74 D-25 and they work great. It is an option for sure, but it would entail new holes (I might be ok with that as they are hidden).

 

[Neal]

Here are the original tuners on my ‘73 D-35. They are Grover’s.

 

[E-Type]

Here are the original tuners on my ‘73 D-35. They are Grover’s.

Well, I have a set of Grover sta-tites that might fit. I wish they still made them with the buttons you have on yours. All the ones they make now have old-timey buttons.

 

[BradHK]

Well, I have a set of Grover sta-tites that might fit. I wish they still made them with the buttons you have on yours. All the ones they make now have old-timey buttons.

Here is an original set for sale on Reverb.

1960's Grover Sta-Tite Number 98 Guitar Tuners Nickel Harmony Cremona | Reverb

1960's Grover Sta-Tite Number 98 Guitar Tuners. Similar to the ones pictured on the Harmony Cremona Guitar (guitar not included). Nickel plated buttons. In perfect working order with just the right amount of natural patina and age wear. I do not have the bushings or screws. Thanks for looking. P...

reverb.com

 

[E-Type]

Here are the original tuners on my ‘73 D-35. They are Grover’s.

Can you tell me the distance between the mounting screw holes? On mine, it is 1.04" by my measure. If these are the same, I just might buy that set BradHK found on Reverb.

 

[SFIV1967]

Here are the original tuners on my ‘73 D-35. They are Grover’s.

Good call! Here is another D-35 I found with them:



Ralf

 

[Boomstick]

My dad’s ‘68 D/35 has exsctly that, some gold Grovers or what looks like Grovers. A friend installed them for him back i. The 79s because I guess the originals weren’t functioning great. He also has the black headstock with the inlay, so I with the combo the look never seemed too off

 

[E-Type]

Looks like Kluson Prestige tuners would fit (screw spacing is 26mm, just a hair over the original 25.4mm of the original tuners). But they are spendy! At least the buttons are oval and not old timey. And it was Hans that let me know the original spacing was 1"...Thanks @hansmoust I think I still need to look at what sort of mess might be under the current set of tuners before I buy anything I cannot return.

 

[kostask]

You may want to take a look at the HIpshot line of tuners. They do have open back tuners with 18:1 ratios, and they are very, very smooth in tuning action, and rock solid in tuning stability. Only thing to be careful about is that the tuning shaft size may not be rignt for you ( I think they come in 10mm shafts (mostly good for imported guitars) and in 8.5mm sizes). I haven't used them on an acoustic yet, but do have one set of locking open back tuners on an Epiphone Les Paul, and another set on a Squier Stratocaster. Love the tuners in both cases, but these do have 10mm tuning post holes. I used the UMP plates on both guitars, and they worked great. If the tuning post holes on your guitars fit, the tuning post spacing won't be an issue, as the UMP plates allow the spacing to vary, and do not require re-drilling the back of the headstock. Also, even though these are individual tuners, the UMP plates sort of make the tuners look like 3 on a plate tuners. Lastly, there are like 18 different tuner button options, some of which don't really apply to acoustics (the black T style buttons come to mind) but most of the standard type buttons are available (large and small oval (sometimes called butterbean) and metal and plastic keystones), as well as chrome, gold, and in some cases, black. They usually run about half the price of Klusons or Gotohs.