1970's Fender Strat Tuner Question

So this is the back of my 76 fender strat headstock:



I would like to change the tuners as they are, well shite is the best description I suppose.

So I've found these Schallers - Original F-Series 70's:

https://www.schaller-electronic.com/hp530334/Original-F-Series-70-s-10580120.htm?ITServ=s0a0np3e05ck74g9skjbf6014c

Which look to me like they are drop in replacements - so my question for those in the know is are they? While I want to change them I don't want to drill out the headstock and from what I can gather there are differences in the hold dimensions during the 70’s.
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Comments

  • ICBMICBM Frets: 71960
    Yes. You can swap the covers as well so you keep the F logos.

    However... the originals should actually be the same inside, by 1976. If they're shite, they probably just need re-lubricating.

    Earlier ones look the same from the outside but have a cruder mechanism and are worth replacing with the Schaller ones. Take one off and have a look - if it looks like these then it's a Schaller:

    https://images.reverb.com/image/upload/s--qwGgYRau--/a_exif,c_limit,e_unsharp_mask:80,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_south,h_620,q_90,w_620/v1510279599/cbejgbhyrhipqkrst1ou.jpg

    "Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski

    "Just because I don't care, doesn't mean I don't understand." - Homer Simpson

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  • Thanks @ICBM - I'll do that this afternoon then :)
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  • Yup they are Schallers already - "Made in w/German" to boot :)



    I'll give them a clean and lube them up then. @ICBM what’s the best thing to lube them, I'm assuming I don’t need anything specialist?
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  • ICBMICBM Frets: 71960
    I've found simply soaking them in WD-40 - with the F covers off, you just want to do the mechanism itself - works, without taking the spring clip thing off. If it doesn't, you may have to do that - the smaller end can be popped off with the tip of a knife blade if I remember right.

    "Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski

    "Just because I don't care, doesn't mean I don't understand." - Homer Simpson

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  • JonHoskerJonHosker Frets: 390
    I used waterproof grease (cycling product) which sorted the clunky tuners on my 2015 CS Fender 69 reissue 
    Jon
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  • BridgehouseBridgehouse Frets: 24579
    I used a synthetic lube - I have a feeling it was a Tamiya bearing style grease for radio controlled cars I had lying about - it was almost dry to the touch and super lubey! 

    It trasformed some old bass tuners I had and has kept them that way..
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  • Excellent pointers chaps - I'll try the WD40 in the first instance since I've got that lying about - if that does not work I'll try the other suggestions!

    Thanks! :)

    Ross
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  • GagarynGagaryn Frets: 1553
    I use dry lube for tuners, the ptfe stuff you get for bike chains works well.
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  • bbill335bbill335 Frets: 1368
    ICBM said:
    Yes. You can swap the covers as well so you keep the F logos.

    However... the originals should actually be the same inside, by 1976. If they're shite, they probably just need re-lubricating.

    Earlier ones look the same from the outside but have a cruder mechanism and are worth replacing with the Schaller ones. Take one off and have a look - if it looks like these then it's a Schaller:

    https://images.reverb.com/image/upload/s--qwGgYRau--/a_exif,c_limit,e_unsharp_mask:80,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_south,h_620,q_90,w_620/v1510279599/cbejgbhyrhipqkrst1ou.jpg
    The REALLY early F-tuners (from the late sixties) have no collar around the base of the capstan and there are less aftermarket options that are drop-in replacements as the majority are made to replace the later ones with collars. 

    I think the kluson revolutions can be bought with or without the collar. 
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  • ICBMICBM Frets: 71960
    bbill335 said:

    The REALLY early F-tuners (from the late sixties) have no collar around the base of the capstan and there are less aftermarket options that are drop-in replacements as the majority are made to replace the later ones with collars. 
    For those I think it’s worth opening out the headstock enough to take the Schallers - you don’t have to go all the way through, and it’s invisible from outside once done. I know people don’t like the idea of modifying a vintage guitar, but I would make an exception for this since it’s a huge functional upgrade that doesn’t compromise the appearance.

    "Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski

    "Just because I don't care, doesn't mean I don't understand." - Homer Simpson

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