New Tuners and setup for my 1966!

[Eric66]

Got these from Amazon:
Grover 18:1 Sta-Tite 3+3 Tuning... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HUCKQCM?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Picked up the Starfire II from shop this afternoon!

1/ new tuners installed (originals in bag)

2/ fret leveling and crowning (they were pretty good “level” but they mostly had flattened from a fret job I did way back in the 1970’s to smoothen out multiple grooves I had worn into them)

3/ setup bridge for intonation with new strings (10s w/wound G), all electronics are in tip top shape, DeoxIT shots, comments “sounds great”

Before dropping it off, I cleaned up and treated all the bare wood neck and bridge, and kind of detailed all surface and structure crevices (under pick guard etc etc), finished surfaces didn’t need a spray on or whatever application so dusting was fine.

Worked nicely at the shop through a fancy twin reverb model amp, new strings stretching out detuning as I worked out on them.

Turned out to be a very unholy good thing to do. Maybe it’ll sub in for my new used Squier Tele CV ‘60s Custom next week with my old Music Man HD212-130 which I'm probably forced to do because of using small amps that get drowned out in a 16 piece jazz big band crescendo…. Which I got last year to sub in for the Starfire.

Original

Updated

 

[GGJaguar]

The tuners look great!

 

[chazmo]

Your tuner on the #4 string looks canted over a bit, Eric, but I agree that the Grovers should be an excellent upgrade (and look terrific)!

 

[Eric66]

The tuners look great!

And they feel good as I retuned, and no holes from originals showing!

 

[Eric66]

Your tuner on the #4 string looks canted over a bit, Eric, but I agree that the Grovers should be an excellent upgrade (and look terrific)!

Yes, here’s a photo marked up. There are 2 tuners not aligned perfectly. Too late to do anything about it. No holes from original tuners showing. I’ll call the shop but I’m not confident he’ll remember exactly why, just assuming the back plates covering old holes and the curve of the headstock were factors.

They work real nice, holes covered, maybe I’ll have to tweak the bridge height a bit since it’s a little different. The bridge was a bit lower on the high E side before that and did not present an issue the last time I played out at a venue with a large ensemble on a cramped sound stage. It’s like I’ll have to get used to the guitar all over again…. And I’m tentatively planning on bringing it out Monday night with the Jazz big band with my monster amp.

My fingers need a rest so I’ll continue tomorrow working out on the Starfire before doing any tweaking myself.

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Eric66]

Took the Starfire back to the shop this morning. It should be ready on Monday, maybe in time for a test run with the big band that evening (getting ready for the week after at a public venue).

To be continued!

 

[wileypickett]

Some makers build their guitars with the tuners in a straight line, regardless of whatever curve there may be in the sides of the headstock. Others mount the tuners so they match the profile of the headstock.

I think the latter looks more elegant.

 

[Eric66]

Picked up Starfire II today!

Of course I had to give it a workout shakedown for the tuners and set up. Maybe this is the best it’s ever been. Had to buy a new volume pedal after it seems I failed to resurrect my old Sam Ash Volume Baby from about 1970 good enough when testing with the Starfire, good thing the shop had a good Dunlop to try out sounding great with a top 1x12 Fender amp. So of course continued at home….


Here’s some mug shots:

 

[chazmo]

Much, much better, Eric!

 

[Walter Broes]

I have those on my '61 SFIII - the originals in a box in the closet. They're good, and they're drop-in replacements for original Grover Statites

 

[Eric66]

Much, much better, Eric!

Testing out my “new” Starfire; all pots at 100%, frets evened out and crowned, fully set up…. Thinking about next week’s session at a venue, taking out the Starfire in public for the first time in 5 years!

Yes, glad I took it back to the shop!
Thanks

 

[Eric66]

I have those on my '61 SFIII - the originals in a box in the closet. They're good, and they're drop-in replacements for original Grover Statites

Yes, old tuners retained and will be kept securely. Even the tech at shop knew I’d do that (he mentioned when the kids will inherit it, the originals will be important…..)

My originals were not the Grovers, it was just my bad luck that they were used. I was able to stay tuned the last time I used the Starfire out at a venue, about 5 years ago, with just a retune check at intermission, but I realized last fall they had run its course.