Lightweight Tuners?

[stevejohndale]

Hey everyone. I’m looking for some lightweight tuning machines for my tele. Some digging brought up a few suggestions like the Gotoh Stealth and a Hipshot option that both seem to be discontinued. I also found some suggesting a Kluson option but I’m unsure of which model.

Right now I’ve got the stock Fender vintage split shaft tuners so I’m not sure there’s much weight to lose anyway. Bonus points for a split shaft option but I’d take light weight over split shaft.

 

[SPUDCASTER]

Anything other than your Fender split shafts. The weight differences will probably be marginal at best.

As long as you're not having problems or just feel the need for change. Keep what you have.

 

[plusorminuszero]

I like the plastic buttoned Klusons;
anything after '59 has plastic which
is stable.

 

[Sea Devil]

The ones you have are about as light as it gets. They're 180 grams, which is under 6 1/2 ounces. I doubt that even plastic buttons would make much of a difference.

I once replaced the solid metal butterbean buttons on some Grovers with plastic, and that saved about nine ounces, IIRC; maybe a bit less. My Gretsch balances much better now. There are no similarly impactful options here.

 

[LaMarr-Bruister]

Klusons with a plastic button will save some weight, but we aren’t talking about a significant amount, even over the set of 6.

 

[Sea Devil]

Amazon says that the Fender tuners are only four ounces. Can we believe them?

 

[MelodicBend]

People change tuners on their SG's thinking the weight difference will help with the dreaded neck dive. Nope. We Tele players are blessed in ways we'll never quite understand.

What's your motivation?

 

[stevejohndale]

Thanks for the input everyone and for satisfying my curiosity.

I've been advised to carry a couple extra tuners with me just in case something happens on a flight or otherwise. The type of work I'm doing puts me in situations where if something did happen it would be hard/impossible to source parts quickly. I figured if I have to buy a set I might as well lose some weight if possible for comfort and the sake of my back.

 

[Blues Twanger]

Amazon says that the Fender tuners are only four ounces. Can we believe them?

Never trust a spec on Amazon. in most cases a listing was created neither by Amazon nor the manufacturer.

 

[BigDaddyLH]

People change tuners on their SG's thinking the weight difference will help with the dreaded neck dive. Nope. We Tele players are blessed in ways we'll never quite understand.

What's your motivation?

Yup. That should have been asked in the first reply

 

[viking]

Vintage style tuners are between 145 grams and 165 grams per set

Closed modern like tuners are around 180-220 grams per set. Lockers up to about 300
Gotoh Stealth are 72 grams per set