Replace diagonal tuning keys in my '95 MIM Tele

[nielsjot99]

Hey Guys!
It's my first post on this forum so I'm a bit nervous but I really hope you can help me out here.

I bought a used Fender Telecaster (MIM 1995) and it's a beautiful guitar. I love it, the neck feels great and I am about to replace the pups with Pure Vintage '64 ones that I got from a friend. At the same time I want to replace the electronics in it since those are supposed to be one of the worse aspects of the 90s MIM guitars (they still got this cheap japanese box switch in them). Maybe some of you have experience with the Mojotone prewired harness? I also eyed the ALLPARTS wiring kit. Anyway, I should get to the point!

I wanted to replace the tuners/tuning keys with locking tuners. I just prefer the feel of them and it's so much easier to change strings. But I faced an issue: My guitar (maybe all of the 90s MIM guitars do but I'm not sure) have those weird diagonal tuning keys with 2 screws, some people call them trapezoid keys. I have absolutely no clue how to replace them. Do I have to drill new holes? I'm a bit nervous about that. Will any other tuners fit? I saw some L shape tuning keys by GOTOH and other brands but I'm not sure if they will fit.
The hipshot tuners that come with a plate and don't require holes look awesome but they are fairly expensive (almost twice the price of Fender tuners and even those cost 2x as much as gotoh or other brands). Another problem is that I live in Germany and I haven't found any German or European stores that sell them and the shipping cost from the US is fairly high.

I hope some of you could help me out here! I researched for solutions for a few hours today but I haven't found some helpful information besides "yeah, drill new holes" or people talked about standard (not locking) tuners.

Cheers.

 

[jfgesquire]

See this thread:

1995 MIM Strat - ID help & tuner upgrade help

Need help determining which model this 1995 MIM Strat is exactly? My research seems to suggest these tuners only came on Squier series MIM guitars, but I don't see any evidence this is a Squier. Fender support didn't have any information when conducting a serial number search, but the rep...

www.strat-talk.com

It's about Strats but similar issue . . . if your tuners look like that, there will not be a drop fit tuner without some modifications and/or mounting screw holes showing.

 

[ponycar]

Taking the initiative to work on your guitar will empower you to know your instrument and keep it properly set up. A Telecaster is a great platform to begin this relationship.
You may consider the modern versions of the slanted F tuners. They have the split shafts that are even easier to re-string than lockers.
Keep doing your research and you'll become the master of your instrument setup.

 

[Robert H.]

Here’s the set of Klusons I put on a MIM ‘72 Thinline. Much better than the stock set. Not locking but the strings stay tuned.
And, no drilling!

 

[ERik77]

I have the Mojotone solderless harnesses in several of my guitars.
They're top notch.

 

[ponycar]

Those Klusons look great. They look frightenly heavy, are they?

 

[Minivan Megafun]

Oooh you probably have one of the 90's "black label" Fender MIM's that are from the "Squier Series".

Does it have a string through body bridge, or is it a top loader?

 

[TeleFiveOh]

Kluson makes a set that dropped right into my Chris Shiflett.

 

[INFANT]

I've got the Kluson non-locking tuners on my '72 thinline RI and also on my old '75 Tele (shaft holes had already been reamed out). They are incredibly smooth and accurate (19:1 ratio). They are direct drop in replacements on the Mexican Teles

Note: if I recall correctly, you will have to use the original screws that came with the guitar as the Kluson screws are a smaller diameter