parker_knoll
Senior Member
Hi all, this is spinning from the the discussion that closes this thread, but I thought it rather easier to start a new one more relevant to the topic: http://www.letstalkguild.com/ltg/showthread.php?197685-NGD-Starfire-III-90/page11
Unsatisfied with the slippage in my Grovers and not crazy about the look, I decided to look for alternatives and hit on two that claimed to be vintage styled tuners that could fit a Rotomatic holes:
1. Grover Vintage Deluxe
https://www.grotro.com/Grover/VINTAGE/Vintage-135-Series
https://www.grotro.com/Grover/VINTAGE/Vintage-Deluxe-136-Series
I bought the 136 as I prefer the button tuners. Both only available in nickel or gold.
2. Gotoh SX510
https://g-gotoh.com/international/product-category/sx510-series
Also, only available in nickel or gold with two different button types.
The Gotoh are harder to find and about 80% more expensive. Both advertise as drop in replacements for the Rotomatic.
The long and the short...
Both do fit the Rotomatic holes exactly
With the Grovers, the lower hole is not in the same place as the originals. It's an annoying 0.5mm or so out. You could get it to fit with some bodging.
The Gotohs are AN EXACT REPLACEMENT FOR ROTOMATICS. I was able to drop it in without issue and use the same screw holes.
Some thoughts and illustrations below - apologies my phone camera is not amazing.
1. Uninstalled, the Rotomatic fittings look a bit nicer - domed top to the capstan, bevelled washer, bevelled nut - while the Gotoh hardware is flat. The Rotomatic metal is slightly thicker, meaning YOU CANNOT USE THE ROTOMATIC BUSHINGS, NUTS ETC. WITH THE GOTOHS
The old Rotos were chrome, and the Gotohs are only available in nickel. However, the rest of the hardware on the guitar is either nickel or aluminium, so this is actually a better fit overall.
The Gotoh's capstans are just slightly shorter. You can only squeeze about two turns in on the low E.
2. Installed, however, I like the minimalism of the Gotohs
3. The Grover Vintage Deluxe feel bit cheap and the casting is not beautiful, at least on the unseen side
At this point, this installation is completely reversible. Should I decide to make it permanent, I could angle the tuners around the headstock rather than keeping the straight line arrangement. Personally, I think this looks nicer and it would give a little more space around the two nearest the top of the headstock. Obviously this would require two new holes, not just one.
Finally, and most importantly, while obviously brand new, the Gotohs feel great with zero slippage. When I decided to this, it was a whim and I wasn't hugely committed to it. However, I'm actually really pleased with the results.
Unsatisfied with the slippage in my Grovers and not crazy about the look, I decided to look for alternatives and hit on two that claimed to be vintage styled tuners that could fit a Rotomatic holes:
1. Grover Vintage Deluxe
https://www.grotro.com/Grover/VINTAGE/Vintage-135-Series
https://www.grotro.com/Grover/VINTAGE/Vintage-Deluxe-136-Series
I bought the 136 as I prefer the button tuners. Both only available in nickel or gold.
2. Gotoh SX510
https://g-gotoh.com/international/product-category/sx510-series
Also, only available in nickel or gold with two different button types.
The Gotoh are harder to find and about 80% more expensive. Both advertise as drop in replacements for the Rotomatic.
The long and the short...
Both do fit the Rotomatic holes exactly
With the Grovers, the lower hole is not in the same place as the originals. It's an annoying 0.5mm or so out. You could get it to fit with some bodging.
The Gotohs are AN EXACT REPLACEMENT FOR ROTOMATICS. I was able to drop it in without issue and use the same screw holes.
Some thoughts and illustrations below - apologies my phone camera is not amazing.
1. Uninstalled, the Rotomatic fittings look a bit nicer - domed top to the capstan, bevelled washer, bevelled nut - while the Gotoh hardware is flat. The Rotomatic metal is slightly thicker, meaning YOU CANNOT USE THE ROTOMATIC BUSHINGS, NUTS ETC. WITH THE GOTOHS
The old Rotos were chrome, and the Gotohs are only available in nickel. However, the rest of the hardware on the guitar is either nickel or aluminium, so this is actually a better fit overall.
The Gotoh's capstans are just slightly shorter. You can only squeeze about two turns in on the low E.
2. Installed, however, I like the minimalism of the Gotohs
3. The Grover Vintage Deluxe feel bit cheap and the casting is not beautiful, at least on the unseen side
At this point, this installation is completely reversible. Should I decide to make it permanent, I could angle the tuners around the headstock rather than keeping the straight line arrangement. Personally, I think this looks nicer and it would give a little more space around the two nearest the top of the headstock. Obviously this would require two new holes, not just one.
Finally, and most importantly, while obviously brand new, the Gotohs feel great with zero slippage. When I decided to this, it was a whim and I wasn't hugely committed to it. However, I'm actually really pleased with the results.
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