Tuner Question?

Hey. I'm new here but not 100% new. I used to have an account here a while back but I forget my info so I had to make a new account.

I have a 93 Guild DV62-NTHG. I mainly play bluegrass and country stuff. It's aged pretty nicely as its basically the only guitar I have played for 10 years. I've really played through the finish on the neck lately. I'll try and post some pictures later.

Anyway I have a question about tuners. I know on telecasters you can switch tuners pretty easily. Is it the same for my Guild?

I hate big clunky tuners on guitars, I just do. I like smaller style tuners like on a Martin D-28 Marquis. I hate for Martins to have those big tuners, like our guilds. So, is there a smaller style tuner I can get that will fit my guild DV? It doesn't have to gold, btw.

Welcome back!

Open-backed Grover Sta-Tites might be the ticket ($41 a set), or if you want the best, Waverlys ($122 a set).

You can go to StewMac.com to get an idea of your options. Take one of your tuners off and measure the distance between top and bottom hole to check fit.

You can also ask a StewMac representative online what will fit.

There are several things to consider when changing tuners. Most open back style tuners utilize a knurled sleeve inserted into the top (front) of the post hole and then the tuner post inserts from the back. Typically the sleeves are close to the same size in the different brands and therefore interchangeable without much modification of the post hole diameter. Most closed tuners do not have a separate sleeve because it is part of the tuner housing. If you intend to switch from one style to the other the post hole diameter will usually have to be modified. Going from open back to closed style tuners will likely require the hole be enlarged which is best done with a step drill or the (expensive) reamer Stu Mac sells. But it can be done with a rat tail file and a bit of care. Switching from closed to open style tuners often requires reducing the post hole diameter which is more difficult to do properly. I have seen some installations turned to crap by a DIY'er using various fillers from wood putty to Bondo. Better to dowel the hole and drill to proper size.
Neal has mentioned the distance between top and bottom holes. I am not sure if he refers to the holes for the mounting screws or the fact that some installations have two different diameter post holes and the length of the top in relation to the bottom can vary. But Different style tuners can also have different hole patterns. Open back tuners have mounting holes above and below the post hole in a straight line. The distance between them is probably what Neal refers to. Closed tuners usually only have one mounting screw, sometimes straight below the post hole, sometimes 90 deg. to the side, and sometimes somewhere in between.

Any style tuner can be mounted on the headstock. It is just a matter of difficulty.

Forgive my rambling. Probably best to follow Neal's advice and ask Stu Mac what will fit your guitar. In my experience they are not always correct with Guilds because of the randomness that came from the factory, but if you shoot them a pic they will at least get you darn close.

And if you upgrade from closed back tuners to open Waverly's it might be best to have a good luthier do the job.

Welcome back to LTG and good luck.

Hi! a set of open back Grovers fit on the back of my 96 DV6 easily--no drilling or re-fitting at all

Chick-N-Picker said:

I used to have an account here a while back but I forget my info so I had to make a new account.

Click to expand...

Your old account name was "The Wizzard333". I don't know if a Supermoderator can merge the two accounts.



Also I believe your 93 Guild DV62-NTHG has the golden Grover Rotomatics 102 series mounted.
https://www.grotro.com/Grover/ROTOMATICS/d150fec8-4cb7-46fe-843f-e06e90703a32/Original-Rotomatics-102-Series
https://www.grotro.com/media/ticc/products/2012/6/1/102.jpg

The open-backed Grover Sta-Tites obviously have a different footprint and size.
https://www.grotro.com/Grover/VINTA...ca/Sta-Tite-with-18-1-Gear-Ratio-97-18-Series
https://www.grotro.com/media/ticc/products/2012/6/1/V97_18NA_1_.jpg


Ralf

SFIV1967 said:

Your old account name was "The Wizzard333". I don't know if a Supermoderator can merge the two accounts.



Also I believe your 93 Guild DV62-NTHG has the golden Grover Rotomatics 102 series mounted.
https://www.grotro.com/Grover/ROTOMATICS/d150fec8-4cb7-46fe-843f-e06e90703a32/Original-Rotomatics-102-Series
https://www.grotro.com/media/ticc/products/2012/6/1/102.jpg

The open-backed Grover Sta-Tites obviously have a different footprint and size.
https://www.grotro.com/Grover/VINTA...ca/Sta-Tite-with-18-1-Gear-Ratio-97-18-Series
https://www.grotro.com/media/ticc/products/2012/6/1/V97_18NA_1_.jpg


Ralf

Click to expand...

Yeah. That was my old account, but I think I like Chick-N-Picker better haha.

I reckon I will have to do some more research and see what will fit, or what I can make fit. If nothing will then I'll just not worry about it.

I've used these on three guitars that had Rotomatics on them. They may need a press fit but they keep the string post in line.

http://www.stewmac.com/SiteSearch/?search=conversion bushings

There's no need to plug the old holes and drill out a new one.