How do you use Gotoh tuners

[Argon129]

i bought my first tele, but I have never used gotoh tuners before. Do i string them the same way as grover tuners? I don't know because the previous owner had the strings wrap around the tuners only once. Any help is appreciated!

[PJ]

You cut your string about 1.5" longer than the post you're stringing to. Put it in the hole until it bottoms-out in the bottom of the post. Bend the string at a 90 degree angle to the post and hold it firm with one hand while you wind with a winder in your other hand. In general, you should have 2-3 turns of string-wire around the post. 2 on the larger diameter strings, 3 on the smaller. Should look something like this:

[boris bubbanov]

That's such a nice shot of that Esquire, P.J!

Argon, I do what PJ does with some added permutations. I cut the E A B and treble E strings about "two posts" past their designated posts; the D and G get about 50% more cuz they have no string tree and almost could and this forces the D and G strings down the post a little further. Starting from the cut end, I use a needle nose pliers to kink a 90 degree about one half inch in and the wire comes out of the hole and goes horizontal. Now, I use the pliers to put a second kink about 1/8th inches away from the first only the orientation of this kink is on another axis, where the string, having flattened out, now turns right to go around (and gradually down) the post. Install the string and hand wind the string at least once following that right turn, around the post. Once you apply all the hand winds to the post you can and most of the slack is gone, trap the string down against the face of the headstock in front of the post and begin applying winds now with the tuner button, keeping track that the string is in the right nut slot and over the rignt spot on the saddle. When you're very close to full tension, slip the B and treble E strings under the string tree.

Sounds elaborate, but Scout's Honor, you can detune, then pop that whole string off and on the split post tuner while you change the nut, change a tuner, change a pickup or pickguard, take off the neck, whatever. If I stay with this plan, I don't break strings and I do not get stuck with string ends. You simply cannot do that with tied strings, nor even with locking tuners. You'd have to capo the strings then pull the whole neck off everytime, and that can be retrogressive getting a guitar through to completion.

This works on lefty tuners, and on "right side of the headstock" tuners, just make that second 90 degree kink to the left, not the right and apply that first hand wind anti-clockwise. Use your left thumb to trap the string and wind with the right.

[PJ]

Thanks, Boris. It's just a Warmoth neck on a 50s Classic, but with some
various upgrades thrown-in. But, it was the best shot I had of some strung-up
vintage tuners. Not Gotohs, either, but close enough.

[Argon129]

thanks for the help!