Tuner color preference by model - 12 strings - your opinions please

F-412Spec

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Do you prefer chrome/nickel or gold tuners for the following models:

F-312
F-412 (Maple versions)
F-512 (rosewood versions)
 

SFIV1967

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That's a tough question...It also depends on how the wood and color of the neck is. Just an example, left and middle maple guitars:

1664645741279.png

For a F-312 I probably would use Chrome.

Or maybe to answer it that way: With G-Shield gold, with Chesterfield chrome. But what's right? Decisions...

1664645895958.png 1664645970088.png 1664646373711.png

Ralf
 
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fronobulax

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I read the title and somehow went to Snark tuners which were once differentiated by color based upon whether they were chromatic (there's probably an unintended pun there) or fixed, intended for a particular instrument.

On the real question at hand, it depends. I often, and in general, prefer the appearance of silver over the appearance of gold but that is not an absolute preference. It is a good question for a 12 string since the color does dominate the headstock more than on a 6 string. I would not advice gold on one side and silver on the other or mixing them.
 

twocorgis

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I liked aged nickel tuners better always, but two of my three Guild 12ers have gold, which is my least favorite. Certainly not a deal breaker!
 

SFIV1967

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I like gold, but ebony buttons are nice, too, especially with natural wood headstock or overlay.
The color of the buttons plus the shape of the buttons are two entire additional topics I guess! Plus the topic of open tuners vs. closed tuners...So many possibilities....

Here somebody was additional crative with the TRC (not me):

1664704889274.png

Ralf
 

beecee

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Chrome with Chesterfield....twice as nice on a 12 string!!

But I think the OP's queries are moot..

Don't all F412 and F512 come w. Gold tuners standard?
 

Heath

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Or, just do both!
 

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hansmoust

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The patient:
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P1010004 2 copy.jpg
That particular guitar originally had nickel plated Kluson 6-on-a-plate tuners with metal knobs and personally I would try to go for something in a similar style, but it would be hard to score a good working, period correct set.

The only set that I know of and that comes close are the 'Golden Age' restoration tuners that are sold by Stew-Mac:


However, if you are looking for something more modern, there are many options in individual tuners that would be easier to find than what was on there originally, but in my opinion gold plated tuners would look out of place on that guitar!

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl
 

twocorgis

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That particular guitar originally had nickel plated Kluson 6-on-a-plate tuners with metal knobs and personally I would try to go for something in a similar style, but it would be hard to score a good working, period correct set.

The only set that I know of and that comes close are the 'Golden Age' restoration tuners that are sold by Stew-Mac:


However, if you are looking for something more modern, there are many options in individual tuners that would be easier to find than what was on there originally, but in my opinion gold plated tuners would look out of place on that guitar!

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl
I agree. Wouldn't the mini Rotomatic 12 string set work on that?
 

Cougar

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Do you prefer chrome/nickel or gold tuners for the following models
The coolest tuner buttons I've ever seen were on an Alvarez-Yairi 12-string. They alternated between gold and amber buttons. It looked awesome!
 

chazmo

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Hey, Brad... Keep us posted on whatever you decide to do. For this old beauty I would stick with nickel/chrome-plated and stay away from gold hardware. For <$100 I would probably try Hans' Stew-Mac suggestion for the 6-on-a-plate. If you do decide to do individual tuners like Sandy suggested, I do think the Grover minis are available in nickel as well as gold. You might have to do a bit more surgery to mount the individual tuners... Either way, I suspect you'll have to remove those old ferrules that are pressed into the holes. Good luck!
 

twocorgis

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Having had Mini-Rotomatics on my F-412, I can say they work well, but add a lot of weight.

P.S. - I'm a weight weenie. :LOL:
I'm a bit of a weight weenie too, but somewhat less so with 12 strings. They're never going to be light no matter what you do! I do prefer the open back Gotohs on my F512 to the mini Rotomatics on the JF65-12 though. They are lighter, and the slotted post makes string changes a lot easier once you get used to them.
 

GGJaguar

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the slotted post makes string changes a lot easier once you get used to them.
Since I was weened on vintage Fender and G&L, I'm used to slotted posts. Some people hate them, but I can do string changes on them quicker. Fender/Kluson sold the idea as a "safety post" so you wouldn't get snagged or cut on the little bit of string end that sticks out of the tuner post on regular tuners. I didn't think that was a worry until I got cut a couple of times and snagged a bandmates sweater when I played guitars without the "safety posts".
 
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