Klusons vs. Diecast Tuning Machines?

I've noticed a lot of folks here seem to prefer the Kluson style stamped tuners to the Schaller/Grover diecast tuners.

As a kid, I remember having a terrible time keeping the Kluson style tuners in tune. However, the ones I experienced were all on hand-me-down instruments, so the tuners were pretty well shot by the time they got to me.

When I finally got a guitar with new Grover diecast tuners, I was amazed at how much easier they were to tune and how well they stayed in tune.

Now I see people swapping out perfectly good diecast tuners on their Highway Ones, etc., for the Kluson style tuners... Maybe I never gave the Kluson's a fair chance?

What are the benefits of Kluson style tuners compared to diecast Grover or Schallers? Please educate me, thanks!

The current high quality Klusons (Gotohs, TonePros) are lightweight, simple, elegant, accurate and have that great nickel-plated vintage look.

Having said that, personally I wouldn't swap out a perfectly good set of modern Grovers or Schallers just to have Klusons, especially if I had to mess around with conversion bushings to do so.

klusons or similar every time for me , i hate string ends sticking out , plus they look nicer .

What are the benefits of Kluson style tuners compared to diecast Grover or Schallers? Please educate me, thanks!

For me, I like the vintage look, but I LOVE the hole in the middle of the post. The end of the string goes down the hole, then it gets wrapped on the post. No more string ends snagging on things or poking me (OUCH!). See if this pic shows what I'm talking about:

http://www.tdpri.com/telephoto/data/500/bsb-002.jpg

I've installed two sets of high-quality Klusons (both parted from Fender reissues). I'm sure there are cheap ones out there, and I like the smoothness of sealed Grovers, but I've not had any problems with my Klusons.


klusons or similar every time for me , i hate string ends sticking out , plus they look nicer .

+1 What he said, plus I like the vintage look!

I think there are subtle but very important internal differences between the precision japanese made Gotoh 'klusons' and the less precisely made original Klusons.

The Pings on the MIM Fenders (except the Jimmie Vaughan, which is Gotoh) are getting better and are sometimes on par (new sets on certain guitars) with the Gotohs, the Gotohs are consistently high precision quality and appear to last a very long time.

By comparison the stamped "F" style vintage tuner; I had a set on a MIM 69 Thinline and these things were terrible, more like I remember vintage style worn out tuners in my growin' years, except that they still look shiny and fresh. Basically the guts stink on those, IMO.

The split shaft Kluson style tuners are cooler looking, and easier to work with (once you get the hang of them).

For me, I like the vintage look, but I LOVE the hole in the middle of the post. The end of the string goes down the hole, then it gets wrapped on the post. No more string ends snagging on things or poking me (OUCH!)...

Thanks. So most of it is aesthetic?

The way I restring my guitars, there is no sharp end sticking out, even with regular solid-shaft tuning machines, and no tools are required at all.

I think I learned from Sandy Sheehan, of Sandy's Music in Cambridge MA (http://www.sandysmusic.com/). I've been meaning to post a how-to somewhere on the internet...

I hate having to "untie" the knots many people seem to think they need to keep the strings secure to the post. Then you need needle-nosed pliers to get the strings off. If you try and remove old knotted-up strings with your fingers, you risk getting stabbed, or tetunus...

Anyway, thanks again for your replies. The F-stamped Fender tuners never worked well for me either.

By comparison the stamped "F" style vintage tuner; I had a set on a MIM 69 Thinline and these things were terrible, more like I remember vintage style worn out tuners in my growin' years, except that they still look shiny and fresh. Basically the guts stink on those, IMO.

Really? I'm pretty fond of those old Shallers. I guess both sets of mine must be in really good shape.