Old tuners cleanup

dented · September 10th, 2006, 06:53 PM

I have a 50's archtop that I recently acquired and I want to get the tuners more free to turn than they are. Plus they are tarnished but not rusted. Original hardware and screws, removing them to clean is not an option, they are open gears. The strings are strung over a fixed saddle bridge, through a metal tailpiece which is a bit tarnished also.

If cleaning the hardware results in devalue or ruining the appearance more, I won't do it. But I would like the tuners to turn easier. I know there are solutions I could use that are obvious, but I always like to hear what you folks have to say, 'cause I respect your knowledge. Thanks!

The guitar sounds great the way it is, I want to restring it without snapping something. Is there a sequence to stringing through the old tailpiece? I know its not like torque wrenching a head on my 302, but I had to ask!

Rob DiStefano · September 11th, 2006, 07:09 AM

IMO, if you want a player and not an antique wall hanger, it all depends on the inherent quality of the tuners. Lotsa early guitars, even well respected brand names, used junk tuning machines, and those should be replaced ASAP in order to make the guitar playable.

If the tuners are quality to begin with, and the gears are in really good condition, with little or no gear lash, take them off and clean them with a solvent and relube - yes, you can remove open-geared tuners.

However, with open-geared tuners there is Huge distinction between a cheap $20 set of junkers and a fine set of $200 Waverly's.

When it comes to restringing an archtop, tape down the feet of the floating bridge with low tack masking tape to at least preserve its current intonation position, and restring either one string at a time or all at once - whatever you feel more comfortable doing.

To help keep the strings from falling out of a trapeeze tailpiece during restringing, use a capo to hold the string in place while yer winding it on a tuner.

dented · September 11th, 2006, 09:24 PM

Thanks, I'll start cleaning the puppy up. It is definately a player as I am womping on it all the time. Just a matter of time before the strings wear out.

Dig the capo trick, never would have thought of that. That's what you folks are for. Thanks!

September 10th, 2006, 06:53 PM	#1 (permalink)
dented Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: The OC Posts: 135	Old tuners cleanup I have a 50's archtop that I recently acquired and I want to get the tuners more free to turn than they are. Plus they are tarnished but not rusted. Original hardware and screws, removing them to clean is not an option, they are open gears. The strings are strung over a fixed saddle bridge, through a metal tailpiece which is a bit tarnished also. If cleaning the hardware results in devalue or ruining the appearance more, I won't do it. But I would like the tuners to turn easier. I know there are solutions I could use that are obvious, but I always like to hear what you folks have to say, 'cause I respect your knowledge. Thanks! The guitar sounds great the way it is, I want to restring it without snapping something. Is there a sequence to stringing through the old tailpiece? I know its not like torque wrenching a head on my 302, but I had to ask! __________________ Unk - If you haven't made any mistakes, you probably aren't doing very much!

September 11th, 2006, 09:24 PM	#3 (permalink)
dented Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: The OC Posts: 135	Thanks, I'll start cleaning the puppy up. It is definately a player as I am womping on it all the time. Just a matter of time before the strings wear out. Dig the capo trick, never would have thought of that. That's what you folks are for. Thanks! __________________ Unk - If you haven't made any mistakes, you probably aren't doing very much!

September 11th, 2006, 07:09 AM	#2 (permalink)
Rob DiStefano Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Park Ridge, NJ Age: 63 Posts: 4,919	IMO, if you want a player and not an antique wall hanger, it all depends on the inherent quality of the tuners. Lotsa early guitars, even well respected brand names, used junk tuning machines, and those should be replaced ASAP in order to make the guitar playable. If the tuners are quality to begin with, and the gears are in really good condition, with little or no gear lash, take them off and clean them with a solvent and relube - yes, you can remove open-geared tuners. However, with open-geared tuners there is Huge distinction between a cheap $20 set of junkers and a fine set of $200 Waverly's. When it comes to restringing an archtop, tape down the feet of the floating bridge with low tack masking tape to at least preserve its current intonation position, and restring either one string at a time or all at once - whatever you feel more comfortable doing. To help keep the strings from falling out of a trapeeze tailpiece during restringing, use a capo to hold the string in place while yer winding it on a tuner.