Need Gotoh replacement bushing

I was installing a gotoh bushing and the tuner hole was too tight so when I tried to pull it out it broke
I contacted Gotoh for replacement and they refused
There is no waranty on Gotoh products nor they are represented here in the US
plus they customer service reps in Japan don't speak English
in the email they told me to buy parts from Allparts but I don't see the specific bushing in their inventory

does anybody know where could I get an original Gotoh replacement bushing ?

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/62226932/2012-06-05_000633.jpg
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/62226932/broken_bushing.jpg
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/62226932/SDS510-dimension.jpg

At least I learned my lesson
BUY AMERICAN !

I'll mail you one, I have a few extras.

Pm me your address. I have a few Gotohs that fit an American 52RI, and I have some WD TonePros Kluson bushings, which are smaller.

I just happen to be all bushing-ed up at the moment. My problem is my tuners are shot. Got plenty of bushings.

It amazes me how patronizing big companies can be. Wish they'd go light a shuck.

when I tried to pull it out it broke

Next time push the bush out from the back of the headstock.
The Allparts equivalent is part number TK-0789-001

I was installing a gotoh bushing and the tuner hole was too tight so when I tried to pull it out it broke
I contacted Gotoh for replacement and they refused
There is no waranty on Gotoh products nor they are represented here in the US
plus they customer service reps in Japan don't speak English
in the email they told me to buy parts from Allparts but I don't see the specific bushing in their inventory

does anybody know where could I get an original Gotoh replacement bushing ?


I think you're being harsh on Gotoh. They are a manufacturer and supply through distributors so they wouldn't have a process for replacing parts that have been clearly incorrectly fitted or abused.

They have suggested Allparts and I think that is fair as they will have them in stock.

I have a several spare Gotoh bushings and had a look at one this morning. It would take some serious mishandling and inappropriate tools to create the sort of damage you have caused there. There are tools and techniques which allow for easy fitting and removal of tuner bushings so when you get the replacement bushing I would recommend you spend some time researching.


At least I learned my lesson
BUY AMERICAN !


Alas, our economy in Europe is like the North American econony. We now rely on Asia/Chinese manufacturing which includes guitar hardware - made in China and supplied to the likes of Fender to make a finished product.

Your "Buy American from now on" is practically impossible nowadays but should you be adamant that you will only buy Amercan tuner bushings from now on, you're in luck:

http://app4.websitetonight.com/projects2/0/3/8/9/1609830/_mygallery/Rutters50TunerBushings1.jpg

http://www.ruttersguitars.com/vintage_parts.html

However, despite Marc's top class customer service, I would suspect you'd find him reluctant to replace a bushing that has clearly been handled/fitted inappropriately. I know you will not appreciate this view but fortunately another member has offered to send you one.

Take care when refitting in and enjoy your guitar.

:smile: Peter

I sympathize partly because Gotoh Kluson tuners have not been very well made in my experience. I liken them to crackerjack box prizes. I know I am in the minority, but this is my opinion based on extensive professional gigging experience (at least 1000+ over the last few years.)

They absolutely will not hold up under once a week string changing and heavy gigging, especially IF you have a very heavy string gauge, Like 13-56.

The teflon washers are prone to easily degrading and breaking, and the gears will literally be slack in a brand new set. The housing is so brittle that I have seen it open up, while still on the headstock, with the teflon washer separating from the peg shaft.

Add to that the maddening and confusing licensing to different companies, as well as the proportional disparities in vintage versus reissue Fenders, American versus foreign, and it's a wonder anything fits anything.

Of course Gotoh is not solely to blame, I realize, but they are more than happy to take your hard-earned money in exchange for their (in my opinion) poorly made products, the only ones sometimes that will fit a Fender guitar for instance.

If I could absolutely boycott their line of products, I would. For now, I can not find a suitable Kluson-style aftermarket tuning machine set that is the correct bushing fit for my 52RI, that is also well made.

For them to continue to make these tuners so cheaply, and exhibit an attitude of "the customer is wrong" is unacceptable to me personally. I am not Mr. ginger-fingers, but I think for the price, they should be made better, and they should have some faint grasp of customer service principles, besides Lose/Lose.

User error can obviously destroy even a well-made product, but these machine heads and bushings are not well made. Sorry to be a grouch. They have a lot of my money and I don't have reliable tuners. On a couple of my other guitars, the machine heads do just great. They are not Gotoh.

PeterUK and TuxedoPolly honorably took the high road in their responses, while I was a crabby little gremlin. I apologize for being negative.

This is my first build ...everyone has to learn somehow

Gotoh makes good quality tuners,
I'm not blaming them for my errors, however they could support their products a little better

PeterUK and TuxedoPolly honorably took the high road in their responses, while I was a crabby little gremlin. I apologize for being negative.

Apology accepted. I did start to read your original post and I do agree with you about Kluson, but unless someone corrects me, these are not made by Gotoh (http://www.g-gotoh.com).

I believe Kluson brand, the original company was formed in 1925, is now owned by the great folks at WD Music in Fort Myers (I had the pleasure in visiting them in 2003 to collect a kit while on vacation in the area) and doesn't maufacture in the USA. All manufacturing is now done (disappointingly but unsurprisingly) in China. I agree with you. The quality of Klusons 10-years ago started to decline and a set I ordered from WD about 6-years ago were so poor they were unfit for purpose. I did write to WD about the woeful quality but they never replied.

The Kluson brand seems to have morphed into Kluson Tonepros (someone correct me if I'm wrong) and their tuners are excellent. I'm using them on two guitars and they are well made and very capable of providing great tuning for many years to come.

There are also some cheaper tuners - in the shape and size of the original Klusons made by a company called Ping (not the excellent golf equipment manufacturer) and these are really budget end and the sort of tuners that were fitted to the early Squier series, etc.

Gotoh (http://www.g-gotoh.com) is a completely different company (have a look at the link which contains details of their manufacturing capability and their range of high quality guitar parts).

Based on my 10-years plus experience, genuine Gotoh are the premium end of the market. I prefer and generally choose their tuners, especially their HAPM range which are first class.

I've compared two different types of bushings today. A set of genuine Gotoh and a set of Kluson bushes (made by Ping?) from about 8-years ago. The Gotoh would really take some abuse the break them, the Kluson/Ping are thinner, the metal quality is poorer and so is the coating. I could easily damage this type without too much effort - with or woithout the proper tools.

I think Gotoh acted professionally and properly. At least they did reply, but as I said, they don't have the support structure to replace missing, broken or damaged parts. I'm guessing that metamp didn't buy directly from Gotoh. Maybe from eBay?

This is my first build ...everyone has to learn somehow

Gotoh makes good quality tuners,
I'm not blaming them for my errors, however they could support their products a little better

I'm not having a go. In all my Gotohs they supplied a rod which is used for removing and fitting the tuners. Did yours come with this?

Just to pick you up on the "support" issue, I suspect that the dealers are supported well so that should be where you. If you get really stuck and the offer of the replacement bush doesn't materialise, I'll send you a complete set of six - but only if you promise to take care fixing them. :lol:

:smile: Peter

The great Kluson debate begins anew!
The Kluson brand is also "owned" by a German company called Rockinger.

Last boxed set of Gotoh SD91s I bought didn't come with a rod.

The great Kluson debate begins anew!

Really? There's been a great debate about it? I missed that one. :lol:

The Kluson brand is also "owned" by a German company called Rockinger.

I think only part of this statement is true. Maybe I should look up the great debate and find the answer. I note you use the word "owned" in quotes? Do WD own the Kluson brand in the USA and Rockinger own it in Europe? Isn't there some sort of brand or trademark dispute?

Last boxed set of Gotoh SD91s I bought didn't come with a rod.

Just to clarify, mine were the HAPMs and all the sets have come with a rod.

:smile: Peter

Maybe not great but it does come up a lot.
http://www.tdpri.com/forum/tele-technical/323313-klusons.html

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/tele-technical/146251-great-kluson-confusion-fakes-repros-real-deal.html

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/tele-technical/170364-q-mim-50s-classic-neck-kluson-tuners-conversion-bushings.html

The brand ownership is problematic as you say. I stick to Gotoh so not really bothered who owns the Kluson name. It's a bit like calling vacuum cleaners "Hoovers"

I feel like a second class citizen not getting a rod. Perhaps they are not supplied with the cheaper Gotoh models or are they also for height adjustment.

There are also some cheaper tuners - in the shape and size of the original Klusons made by a company called Ping (not the excellent golf equipment manufacturer) and these are really budget end and the sort of tuners that were fitted to the early Squier series, etc.

The Pings as found on the MIM Classic Series are not bad at all. I'd install Gotohs over them on a new build, but the Pings have functioned and held up well on the Classics I have.

Maybe not great but it does come up a lot.
http://www.tdpri.com/forum/tele-technical/323313-klusons.html

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/tele-technical/146251-great-kluson-confusion-fakes-repros-real-deal.html

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/tele-technical/170364-q-mim-50s-classic-neck-kluson-tuners-conversion-bushings.html

The brand ownership is problematic as you say. I stick to Gotoh so not really bothered who owns the Kluson name. It's a bit like calling vacuum cleaners "Hoovers"

I feel like a second class citizen not getting a rod. Perhaps they are not supplied with the cheaper Gotoh models or are they also for height adjustment.


Oh my! So much discussion and debate. I'm actually pleased to say that I missed that. :shock:

:grin: Peter

The Pings as found on the MIM Classic Series are not bad at all. I'd install Gotohs over them on a new build, but the Pings have functioned and held up well on the Classics I have.

They make enough of them so they ought to be good!

:grin: Peter