Need Tuner Bushings for 1969 Starfire

[cc_mac]

Below are some photos of the tuning machines on my 1969 Guild Starfire IV. I've had this guitar for almost 30 years and it's seen a great deal of use in that time. At some point in the 80s, I lost 2 of the tuning machine bushings. I'd very much like to set this right by finding either some original bushings from someone here or a recommendation on where to get them. In the pics you can see the high E and G string have funky rounded top bushing that are ill fitting so I need two replacements but if I have to buy an entire set I will and then pass the extras along to someone who needs them. Also, the machines have Guild cast into them but I don't know who the real manufacturer was. Perhaps knowing that would lead to a source for them. I greatly appreciate any help that could be offered.

Thanks,
Chris
North Carolina

 

[SFIV1967]

Hi Chris,
those are Kolb (Germany) machines.
See Hans' book page 41 in the middle bottom picture for the Kolb tuners.

Kolb as a manufacturer in Bavaria (they were in Bubenreuth) does not exist anymore. They closed shop many years ago I read.

Ken Nash has your replacement Kolb Guild tuners but also without grommets/bushings! (scroll down the pictures he has on the page):
http://www.theguitarmechanic.com/Guildparts.html
So no help for you there.

You might want to search ebay a bit or other shops, this one here has lots for instance but non for Kolb:
http://www.wdmusic.com/tuning_machine_parts.html
Just a couple of ideas, but it will be hard to get replacement bushings for the Kolb tuners I believe.
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tuners/Tune ... hings.html

Good luck in your search!
Ralf

 

[hansmoust]

Hello Chris,

You will have a hard time finding those bushings in the U.S.

Kolb used several similar but different bushings over the years. I think I know which ones should fit your guitar but before I start looking in my boxes, maybe we should make sure that we're looking for the right part.

Maybe you could remove one of the original bushings. When I look at your photo I noticed that the bushing from your D-string is already coming up, so it should be easy to remove that one.
Now, what you should look for is if the part that goes into the hole in the headstock, is slightly tapered. So the outside diameter of the bushing is slightly wider towards the 'collar' that stops it against the front of the peghead. It might be a very slight taper so you really need to look closely!

Just let me know what your findings are!

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
http://www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[cc_mac]

Ralf,

Thanks for identifying the tuners and giving me some leads to work with. I spent some time looking on the web and didn't find anything I thought would work. I also hit the local used gear store and dug trough boxes of old parts and didn't find anything.

Hans,

I've removed one of the bushing to take photos. Yes, the busing is tapered. I've included images below next to a metric rule. If you need exact dimensions then I'll try and be more precise but I think this will give you what you need in terms of identifying it. If you have 2 or a set I'd be interested.

Many Thanks,
Chris

 

[Darryl Hattenhauer]

Round collar bushings like the ones on these Kolbs were on Guild's Japanese tuners in the 60's, and also on Harmony plate tuners. Would those fit?

 

[Darryl Hattenhauer]

I believe this guy has more old tuners for sale than anybody in the universe, so he might have the collars you need. http://www.guitar-repair.com/tuners.htm

 

[hansmoust]

I believe this guy has more old tuners for sale than anybody in the universe, so he might have the collars you need. http://www.guitar-repair.com/tuners.htm

Hello Darryl,

The original poster already has some!

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[Darryl Hattenhauer]

Thanks Hans. Do you have any for sale?

 

[hansmoust]

Thanks Hans. Do you have any for sale?

Not anymore. I had a few and obviously they went to the original poster.
Do you need some?

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[cc_mac]

I can't thank Hans enough for finding the parts and working out a fair deal on the bushings. I give Hans a 100 with extra credit for being a really excellent person to deal with.

Darryl, that's an excellent link that you shared! I am bookmarked it for future research/projects.

Thanks,
Chris