Tuning Machines for my '74 D50 ?

[lpa53]

I hate to admit it here but I haven't been on in awhile because 1) I stopped playing guitar for awhile and then 2) when I started again I splurged for the first time since getting my Guild and bought a Hoffman SJ.

But now i'd like to do a bit of work on my old D50. The tuning machines have become really difficult to turn; they move in fits and starts and, even when the knobs screws are loosened, are still hard to turn.

Is there a way to fix the originals and if not, where would I find a modern set that matches those?

 

[hansmoust]

i'd like to do a bit of work on my old D50. The tuning machines have become really difficult to turn; they move in fits and starts and, even when the knobs screws are loosened, are still hard to turn.
Is there a way to fix the originals and if not, where would I find a modern set that matches those?

Hello lpa53,

This is the first time that I hear somebody complain about the functionality of the tuners on a '74 Guild D-50. Would it be possible that you have different tuners on your guitar than what would be standard? It should have Schaller M-6 tuners, but with a Guild logo on the back.

Maybe you could post a photo of the back of your headstock, so we all know what we're dealing with here?

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
http://www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[lpa53]

Here's the (rather blurry) shot of the headstock.

What's happening is that when you tighten the strings it's either extremely hard to turn or if it does turn it goes in fits and starts - jumps in large increments. When you tune down, the machine moves smoothly for a bit but then gets loose and just flops around doing nothing until it seems to catch again. Makes it hard to zero in on a pitch.

 

[hansmoust]

Hello again lpa53,

Well, those are the Schaller M-6 tuning machines that I would expect on your guitar. I have no way of knowing why they are not functioning properly, but it sounds like you've tried to adjust them to no avail.

These machineheads are still available but probably not with the Guild logo on the back. If it was my guitar, I would replace them with a new set of Schaller M-6 tuners.

Good luck!

Hans Moust
http://www.guitarsgalore.nl