New tuners advice

lincolnblue

I want to get some new tuners (possibly locking) for my strat copy. However I'm aware that many seem to have different scre positions etc and so I want to make sure what I buy are going to fit ok.

Can anyone advise what tuners would fit (if any) without the need to drill any holes?

Switch625

I have the same diamond back tuners on my Squier Strat and looked into upgrades a while ago but couldn't find any replacements that would fit without drilling new holes.

Funkfingers

Regrettably, there is no worthwhile upgrade ‘head design available with the exact same fastening screw positions.

Assuming that your stock ‘heads have push-in ferrules on the front of the headstock, the obvious choice of replacement would be replica Kluson safety tuners, fastened by seven screws, arranged in a straight line.

If the diameter of the tuner shaft holes is wide enough, it might be wisest to use modern, enclosed gear ‘heads, located by “pegs” on the underside and fastened from the front by a threaded nut.

lincolnblue

Funkfingers said:

Regrettably, there is no worthwhile upgrade ‘head design available with the exact same fastening screw positions.

Assuming that your stock ‘heads have push-in ferrules on the front of the headstock, the obvious choice of replacement would be replica Kluson safety tuners, fastened by seven screws, arranged in a straight line.

If the diameter of the tuner shaft holes is wide enough, it might be wisest to use modern, enclosed gear ‘heads, located by “pegs” on the underside and fastened from the front by a threaded nut.

I don't know about the push-in ferrules but assume so. If I have to drill but the new tuners would cover up (even mostly) the existing holes that is fine, I just don't want lots of unsightly holes on the back of the headstock if I can help it.

Funkfingers

Here are a few examples.

https://i.imgur.com/unkCdOu.jpg

L-R: Same as your guitar, replica Kluson Safety, Mini Grover, Schaller M6L Mini, Jin-Ho, Fender/Ping.

The Jin-Ho is the only one whose locator screw aligns with one of your existing ones. Some Gotoh, Ping Well and Wilkinson 'heads use the same gear dimensions housing as the Jin-Ho. Hence, the fit will be the same. 

The Fender/Ping type is located by two "pegs". Corresponding holes will need to be drilled into the headstock.

https://i.imgur.com/hHYe2po.jpg

ICBM

As Funkfingers said, unfortunately there are no better heads which fit both that screw pattern and the headstock hole bore size.

A set with what's probably best described as a 'straight offset' screw lug might fit the existing screw lower holes - like this: (These are locking but it was just the first pic I found.)

But it will still leave the upper ones visible, and you'll need to ream out the holes in the headstock for the larger 10mm bushings. (This is a job best done with a special tool that doesn't go all the way through the head, rather than a large drill bit and a Black & Decker.)

Failing that, the vintage-style Kluson types with the screws all in a straight line might just about cover the old holes, although I think the two at the ends will be visible.

Guitarlarky

You could try the original Schaller design:
https://schaller.info/en/machine-heads/236/original-f-series-70-s?number=10580120.15.60&c=53

Guitarlarky

Sorry, just realised that the holes are in opposite corners to yours.  You could try vintage style split-post ones (Kluson, Gotoh, Schaller all do them) - they might hide the existing holes once they're installed?

lincolnblue

The guitar is sentimental so is most certainly a keeper, so as I think about it, if some holes were visible, I would be ok with that. So questions is, which are the best tuners that would need the least drilling?

gjonesy

hipshot do ones with plates so there's no drilling, they secure with the threaded bush on the front
https://www.btnmusic.co.uk/product/hipshot-6-in-line-grip-lock-closed-tuners/

lincolnblue

gjonesy said:

hipshot do ones with plates so there's no drilling, they secure with the threaded bush on the front
https://www.btnmusic.co.uk/product/hipshot-6-in-line-grip-lock-closed-tuners/

Ah  thanks. They look good. No idea if I need staggered or not though?!

ICBM

gjonesy said:

hipshot do ones with plates so there's no drilling, they secure with the threaded bush on the front
https://www.btnmusic.co.uk/product/hipshot-6-in-line-grip-lock-closed-tuners/

They will still need the headstock reaming out to 10mm bores.

lincolnblue

ICBM said:

gjonesy said:

hipshot do ones with plates so there's no drilling, they secure with the threaded bush on the front
https://www.btnmusic.co.uk/product/hipshot-6-in-line-grip-lock-closed-tuners/

They will still need the headstock reaming out to 10mm bores.

I have a reamer tool I bought when enlarging pot holes on my strat scratchpate which I guess would be suitable?

ICBM

lincolnblue said:

I have a reamer tool I bought when enlarging pot holes on my strat scratchpate which I guess would be suitable?

Is it a tapered one? If so, then unfortunately not. You need a plain one - ideally, like the StewMac one which has an 8mm guide shaft so it self-centres in the existing hole.

Funkfingers

Seems to me as if replica Kluson Safety ‘heads are the easiest option - possibly with adapter bushings.

Gotoh M.A.G. types are locking.

lincolnblue

ICBM said:

lincolnblue said:

I have a reamer tool I bought when enlarging pot holes on my strat scratchpate which I guess would be suitable?

Is it a tapered one? If so, then unfortunately not. You need a plain one - ideally, like the StewMac one which has an 8mm guide shaft so it self-centres in the existing hole.

Ah ok...yes its tapered one