Fender Vintage Tuners on a MIM Standard

Hi, this ones probably been done to death (my apologies)... I'm about to buy genuine Fender Kluson style vintage tuners on eBay, they come in a package complete with bushings. I want to install them onto a 2009 MIM Tele. Will this be a straight forward installation? I mean, does anyone know if the conversion bushings Fender package with their Vintage tuners convert a Mexican headstock?

Thanks in advance, Wayne

That's a good question, Wayne.

Here's a recent discussion (http://www.tdpri.com/forum/tele-technical/329548-tele-tuners.html) with lots of good info.

If the guitar you're putting them on has vintage style tuners now, then then bushings that come with the new tuners will fit just fine.

If you have modern style tuners, then you'll need a set of conversion bushings.

And unless those Fender branded tuners are real cheap, look for a set of Gotoh vintage style tuners. They're the same thing in a different package, and can be had under US$40 new.

Yeah, and while we call those Gotohs "klusons" sometimes, there's also a product from WD called "Kluson" and these are a newer offering and they own the name. I would stay with the Gotohs, and I call them "Gotoh Splits" now. Not Fender Vintage or Kluson, to try and be more precise.

10.0 mm conversion bushings; you'll be drilling 7 holes to mount the machines.

Thanks guys. My MIM Standard Tele currently has the Ping sealed tuners... the normal Mexican variety.

I'll check out the Gotoh tuners. I like their stuff, great quality.

You will need the conversion bushings if you are going from the modern ping to vintage style. I did on my MIM

A caveat.

Look REAL carefully at this image:

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t25/Bubbanov/44NOV292007018.jpg

See those pale rings? If your MIM has been around a while, you may have some differential ambering of the maple/finish, which you'll see when you take off 1-2 of those die casts. If so you may encounter what you see above. You may have to leave the headstock in a sunny window, or endure these white rings for 6 months while they fade. Also, if someone has overtightened the die casts, they may have crushed the maple. Just be on the lookout for it - I'd hate to see you blindsided by this issue.

Thanks Boris. Your advise is always very much appreciated!

-- Wayne

Update: I've purchased nickel Gotoh spilt shaft tuners (vintage style). They are on their way to me in Australia. They come with bushings, will these be sufficient to work with a MIM Standard Tele neck or will I need to purchase additional bushings to get them to fit?

-- Wayne

Hi mate, sometimes the radius of the holes on the headstock of a MIM neck are not quite the same as the bushings you mentioned, i had this trouble when i ordered vintage klusons on a MIM neck, so i got bushing adaptors and were still not the snug fit, so i put masking tape around the bushing before installing and presto! Its perfect, had them in now for 2 years no probs at all.... Good luck mate!

Update: I've purchased nickel Gotoh spilt shaft tuners (vintage style). They are on their way to me in Australia. They come with bushings, will these be sufficient to work with a MIM Standard Tele neck or will I need to purchase additional bushings to get them to fit?

-- Wayne

Your MIM standard has modern style tuners, correct? Those holes are bigger, so you'll need conversion bushings.

These will cover up the tan lines: http://www.allparts.com/Gotoh-Nickel-Vintage-Adapter-Bushings-p/tk-0901-001.htm

A couple years ago, the Allparts bushings I tried did not fit Kluson tuners - I believe they were designed for the vintage style tuners that Allparts sells. This may have changed, but the inside diameter of the bushings was just too small. I ended up getting bushings from Stew-Mac, IIRC. And, yes, you'll have "tan lines" unless the headstock has never seen the light of day.

If you are careful, you could probably get away with something like plastic wood to fill the gap. I'd start with some around the bushing, center it in the hole and then from the back side pack well around it with a toothpick. Let it dry, and mount the tuners, tape down to get a straight alignment and set the screwhole pilot marks.

Thanks for the responses. Out of interest, what are the bushings that come with these Gotoh split shafts designed for?

Out of interest, what are the bushings that come with these Gotoh split shafts designed for?

They fit 11/32" holes (about 8.7 mm), which is what most 'vintage style' headstocks are drilled. Most of the modern tuners are 3/8" (9.5mm) or 10mm, except for Mighty Mite necks which are apparently drilled by a committee of insane badgers.

Ok got it. Thanks guys. I've gone from "clueless" to "understanding" in about 24 hours.

You've got to love this forum! Thanks again.

-- Wayne

They fit 11/32" holes (about 8.7 mm), which is what most 'vintage style' headstocks are drilled. Most of the modern tuners are 3/8" (9.5mm) or 10mm, except for Mighty Mite necks which are apparently drilled by a committee of insane badgers.

Ha! I like Mighty Mite necks for budget-friendly projects, but the oversized tuner holes are definitely vexing.