Islandtexan
Junior Member
I've talked about this guitar on the forum before. This was given to me a couple of years ago by a friend and the only other owner of this near-perfect D-40 that's spent almost all its life in a case in a closet. Of course, I've surfed around Reverb, etc. and realize this guitar is not worth a fortune but would probably bring four figures without much effort. I took it to a trusted tech and proprietor of a well-respected mom & pop store. He confirmed no need for a neck reset and did a really simple set-up while he had it. It has the original tuning keys which regretably are these stiff, Japanese-made crummy tuners. They are the worst thing about this guitar. But... it does stay in tune and they aren't really unsightly. So here's where I am with this: I have the beautiful set of Schaller DaVinci tuners I was going to install. I got as far as taking off one of the old ones, only to find these new ones are a bit bigger. Drilling out the holes involves dealing with the black veneer top with its Chesterfield logo. I think it could be done if care is taken without damage. But it does mean adulterating an all-original fifty year old dreadnaught. FWIW, I have no real intention of selling this guitar, but someday my decision now might weigh on the next owner, even if it it's through my will. What do you guys think? Do what feels good in regard to quality tuners and blow off the thing about originality? Or maintain the pristine originality for the sake of posterity or perhaps monetary value and just put up with rather low-end tuners? Oh yeah - one more thing: I don't think this guitar will likely ever leave my house except perhaps to a friend's just to show it off. It is unlikely to ever be a performance instrument while I own it. I welcome all suggestions and promise I won't tinker with this thing for a while. The tuners can always find another home.