Klusons vs. Diecast Tuning Machines?

JayFreddy · June 27th, 2008, 12:24 PM

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!

KevinB · June 27th, 2008, 12:45 PM

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.

bargoedboy · June 27th, 2008, 01:36 PM

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

aunchaki · June 27th, 2008, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayFreddy

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:

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bargoedboy

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!

boris bubbanov · June 27th, 2008, 03:32 PM

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.

Goluphi · June 27th, 2008, 03:56 PM

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

JayFreddy · June 27th, 2008, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aunchaki

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. 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.

strummin67 · June 27th, 2008, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boris bubbanov

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.

June 27th, 2008, 12:24 PM	#1 (permalink)
JayFreddy Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Dallas TX USA Age: 43 Posts: 1,041 2 Photos	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!

June 27th, 2008, 03:32 PM	#5 (permalink)
boris bubbanov Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New Orleans, LA + in the past Posts: 8,579	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. __________________ Bubban0v

June 27th, 2008, 03:56 PM	#6 (permalink)
Goluphi Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Chicago Posts: 147	The split shaft Kluson style tuners are cooler looking, and easier to work with (once you get the hang of them). __________________ Check out my band Wonderful Flying Machines - All licks proudly played on Fender Instruments!

June 27th, 2008, 12:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
KevinB Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 705 4 Photos	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.

June 27th, 2008, 01:36 PM	#3 (permalink)
bargoedboy TDPRI Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: sherborne Age: 46 Posts: 90	klusons or similar every time for me , i hate string ends sticking out , plus they look nicer .