Tuners for a 66' Starfire iv

Just checked out a 66' Starfire iv. I liked it, but... the tuners are shit. I don't think I could use the guitar in a live situation. Is there any fixes for this? Thanks, Michael

If it has Grovers, new are a drop in. What tuners did it have?

Are they these with diagonal mounting holes (there are two versions of this tuner with different buttons and they can also have a cover)



If so, then there are no known drop in replacements without drilling new mounting holes in the back of the headstock. Not a lot of love here for those tuners.

Default said:

If it has Grovers, new are a drop in. What tuners did it have?

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Thanks, They looked like the above, but they are corroded. How do people feel about drilling into a vintage guitar, usability vs value?

mcarter said:

Thanks, They looked like the above, but they are corroded. How do people feel about drilling into a vintage guitar, usability vs value?

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Hi Michael. Someone recently replaced a set of these with (I think) open-back Grovers. You'll have no choice that's drop-in, as Brad said above.

My $0.02, definitely go for it if it's worth it to you. I know if I liked a guitar with bad tuners, I'd replace them. Put the originals in a bag and stow 'em away somewhere. Not that they'll ever be used again.

I would start by removing them, cleaning and lubricating with a dry lube. I have these tuners on one of my Starfires and they work and hold tune fine. Still not great feeling to turn. I personally hate seeing mounting holes from original tuners when replacement tuners don’t match the original mounting pattern. But I am a little OCD with these things. Some are not as bothered as me and the key is that it is your guitar and if the tuners keep you from playing it then it is your decision. It will effect the resale value but again, that’s your decision. The key is that it gets played!

I hate those tuners:


If I were gigging with a ‘66 Starfires it would get Grovers.

I have a bag of tuner parts that originally came from an early 70’s F112 that might work to replace some of the components, can have them for free.

drc said:

I have a bag of tuner parts that I originally came from an early 70’s F112 that might work to replace some of the components, can have them for free.

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Thank you so much!

mcarter said:

Thank you so much

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No problem. Send me a message with your address.