Gotoh "Kluson-style" vintage tuners...

[golfcartconspiracy]

Hey guys, I've been looking at these tuners at Stew-Mac, and was wondering if anyone had had experience with them. I'm looking for a vintage set for my strat, and am between these and a set of Grovers right now. If anyone could help me out, that would be awesome!

Gotoh Tuners:
http://www.stewmac.com/cgi-bin/hazel.cgi?action=SERVE&G=1&sku=0648&ITEM=catalog/sku.html&CURRENCY=CAD

Grover Tuners:
http://www.grotro.com/Mainvintage.html

thanks for your help!

-gcc

[WackyT]

I have the Gotoh Locking Vintage Oval Knob Tuners (http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tuners/Guitar,_solid_peghead_tuners/Gotoh_Locking_Vintage_Oval_Knob_Tuners.html) on my Frankenstrat guitar, and they've worked really well.

[markb]

I find Kluson "safetipost" tuners the easiest tuners to restring. Cut string at 2+1/2 tuners along the head, poke end down the hole and wind up. Result? Perfect break angle on Fenders. You do need to have a pair of cutters in your gig bag though. The Grovers are identical. These days they're probably coming from the same factory (?).

[Bloozcat]

I've used the Gotoh/Kluson's many times. I prefer the vintage style for Strats and Tele's. Here's a better price on them:

http://www.warmoth.com/Gotoh-Vintage-Tuners-Set-of-6-Right-Chrome-P969.aspx

I've also used these:
http://store.guitarfetish.com/wiklstnitusi.html

I like them as well, and they're a little cheaper.

[golfcartconspiracy]

wow, thanks so much for the info guys!

Boozcat, how would you say the Wilkinson's compare to Gotoh's? I had heard that they were really poorly made in comparison...

[Bloozcat]

wow, thanks so much for the info guys!

Boozcat, how would you say the Wilkinson's compare to Gotoh's? I had heard that they were really poorly made in comparison...

Actually, they're very nice. I'd choose the Gotoh's first, but I've always just liked Gotoh tuners. It's hard though to fault a product that looks good, appears to be made of quality materials, and just plain works like it should. That's how I'd describe the Wilkinson tuners...and I like it that they look more like the original Klusons with the lines/ridges on the back of the housing.

GFS has a Wilkinson vintage style tremolo with a steel trem block that I really like as well. Very good quality, I think I've bought four of them now. Not only do they have stamped metal saddles like the original Fenders, they have "Wilkinson, Wilkinson" stamped in them like the "Fender, Fender" on the originals.

Oh, and one other thing....

If you're attempting to put the Gotoh/Klusons or the Wilkinson/Kluson's on a modern neck that's drilled for 3/8"/10mm holes, you'll need adapter ferrules. The vintage style tuners are made for 5/16" holes. Don't get the ones from Stew-Mac, they're too small and don't press fit into the holes as they should. Get the ones from GFS...they fit tightly.

[golfcartconspiracy]

thanks for the info. After reading your positive review of the GFS tuners, I took a second look at them! It turns out that they will cost the same for me as Gotoh tuners from Canada (shipping and exchange kills ya)! Looks like it's going to be Gotoh's after all. Also, thanks for the heads up on the conversion bushings... I had already considered this and had a pair, but I appreciate any help I can get.

[gtr_5155]

Hey guys, I've been looking at these tuners at Stew-Mac, and was wondering if anyone had had experience with them. I'm looking for a vintage set for my strat, and am between these and a set of Grovers right now. If anyone could help me out, that would be awesome!

Gotoh Tuners:
http://www.stewmac.com/cgi-bin/hazel.cgi?action=SERVE&G=1&sku=0648&ITEM=catalog/sku.html&CURRENCY=CAD

Grover Tuners:
http://www.grotro.com/Mainvintage.html

thanks for your help!

-gcc
Why not use real klusons? www.wdmusic.com has them.I have always used thes on my vintage restorations and new clones.They work great,and have the correct look right down to the original 1/4" posts.The copies use 6mm posts.

[Bloozcat]

Why not use real klusons? www.wdmusic.com has them.I have always used thes on my vintage restorations and new clones.They work great,and have the correct look right down to the original 1/4" posts.The copies use 6mm posts.

The original Klusons are great if one wants absolute authenticity. You can't get closer than the original company. But, at half the cost for the Gotoh's from Warmoth ($30.00/set) that is more than some may wish to pay for the Klusons ($60.00). And, the Wilkinsons are even cheaper.

BTW: 6mm=.244 inch which is .006 of an inch difference...if the 1/4" post on the Kluson is exactly .250" (1/4").

[gordy_sg_no1]

ive used them loads of times, they are nice and they tune pretty easily. they aslo make a locking model but alot depends on your budget if its healthy go for klusons but if not gotoh are pretty decent. if you want to splurge and go a wee but abnormal with it my favourite tuners are steinberger gearless. man they are seriously stable with like 40:1 ratio i think, but the best part is you can dive bomb all day and you never have to retune.