who prefers grovers over klusons and why?

[Don]

Oh, one more issue: FUNCTIONALITY over time. Compare a set of 40 year old Klusons with a set of 40 year old Grovers. Guess which set actually STILL WORKS (with NO maintenance).

The 48 year old Klusons on my Strat work fine. Even with tremolo use.
The low ratio is a bit of a pain though. They're a bit tougher to fine tune than new tuners.

 

[Litcrit]

The 48 year old Klusons on my Strat work fine. Even with tremolo use.
The low ratio is a bit of a pain though. They're a bit tougher to fine tune than new tuners.

I don't know why (straight string pull? Less headstock angle?) but Klusons on Fenders seem to work better than on Gibsons. I would guess that fewer Strat/Tele players changed the tuners from stock on the old guitars, at least it seems that way from my observations. Almost rare to find an old Gibson that's been PLAYED with stock tuners on it. I just bought a beautiful '51 ES 350 with stock tuners and those old Klusons were basically frozen. I tried lubricating them, but not much happened. With 13's, those were not turning, so I put on a newer set of Klusons (same holes), but I would not have minded if this came with some nice old Grovers............

 

[Frankabq]

I have the standard chrome/nickel Kluson on my LP STD LE. As long as you string your guitar properly, overlapping the tail of the string so it doesn't slip out of tune, Klusons are fine. Personally I hate the look of the green plastic keys and won't buy a Gibson with them on it. People customize their guitars in many ways so what ever pleases you the most with your guitar, do it unless you plan on selling it in the future. I buy only stock guitars with original cases but that's only my preference. Later.

 

[Mathijs]

I am thinking about changing the Klusons on my 04R9, but I am doubtfull about the screw holes that will be visible then. Is it possible to switch to Grover/Schaller style tuners without having the screw holes visible?

Mathijs

 

[Cream Fan]

Joe: Can you tell me if old Grovers would still necessitate reaming stock Kluson holes to fit the Grover shaft? Thanks.

 

[Werloc]

I too prefer Grovers to the RI Klusons, but I like the older Grovers, from the 70's era. I haven't quite yet swapped my klusons for grovers on my R8 because I haven't really found the right ones yet.

BINGO...!!! You nailed it....

 

[kink56]

If you have push-in bushing with your Klusons, then you have to drill, if they are screw in bushings then Grovers fit with no mod. The post "made in USA" rotomatics are 14 or 18:1, the older ones (which I prefer for other reasons) are USUALLY only 12:1. Everything being equal the higher ratios are better, BUT the older ones are better tone-wise and look cooler! The ratio isn't the only thing to consider. Yes a well set up Les Paul will stay in tune with Klusons OR Grovers, but the Grovers have a more predictable machine action, less backlash, and look and sound better. If I am not concerned about resale, I drill for Grovers if I have to, to use them. Grover makes a 18:1 Kluson style tuner too, which are damned good, but not as good as even the old 12:1 Rotomatics!!!! WHEW!!

 

[led zep fan]

This is close, except for the one...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=41434&item=7301805224&rd=1

 

[KennyY]

I prefer Grovers on my electrics that are not neck heavy. I prefer the smoother action and knobs are easier to turn because they are larger than the Klusons. The plastic tulip Kluson tuners are too small for my fingers.

Ken

 

[Joe Ganzler]

Joe: Can you tell me if old Grovers would still necessitate reaming stock Kluson holes to fit the Grover shaft? Thanks.

If you're replacing "push-in" bushing Klusons, then yes, there will be some hole enlargement necessary with even the older Grovers, though not as MUCH as with the newer ones. . .If you're replacing "screw-in" bushing Klusons, it should be an "R&R". . . :dude

 

[jwalker]

Keep the Klusons. If you do switch make sure the finish is well cured. I have had two new guitars where the nitro lifted by the washer. Both came with Grovers stock.

 

[mtndon]

Joe, I have a set of looks like chrome grovers that was pulled of a 67 martin.
They look very close to what is on your LP. Is there much difference? The ones I own have the pat. pending/made in the USA on them.

 

[seishin]

finally made the "change" here is a pic, i am quite happy with the results, nice solid feel, and i may actually hear more sustain, ....

 

[Joe Ganzler]

Joe, I have a set of looks like chrome grovers that was pulled of a 67 martin.
They look very close to what is on your LP. Is there much difference? The ones I own have the pat. pending/made in the USA on them.

Well, could be the same, could be different. Are you sure they're chrome and not nickel? Just a question, they could just as easily be one or the other. Also, is the Pat. Pending and USA as deeply stamped as on mine? The later ones are more lightly stamped. Finally, check and compare the front washer - the "good" ones have a very small washer, without the beveled edge above (like mine). . .

 

[58lespaulman]

I think Grovers are better in every way...

 

[Cream Fan]

Hey, Joe, how about a nice close-up picture of those small, non-beveled washers? Thanks in advance.

 

[Joe Ganzler]

Hey, Joe, how about a nice close-up picture of those small, non-beveled washers? Thanks in advance.

Your wish is my (albeit belated) command! I'm having problems with my cocksucking digital camera, after 45 minutes, this was the best I could do:

 

[seishin]

well, i may be without class and beveled but the pic is sharp, hah ....

 

[classic-rock]

Nice move switching to the Grovers, and try some of that Big Bends nut sauce for the nut. It really helps the hanging up at the nut from the angle from the tuning keys, since it`s not a straight pull headstock. There`s other stuff too that maybe others can chime in on, but IMHO graphite doesn`t hold a candle to the Big Bends or some of the others. Nice axe, and the keys look great!

 

[seishin]

Nice move switching to the Grovers, and try some of that Big Bends nut sauce for the nut. It really helps the hanging up at the nut from the angle from the tuning keys, since it`s not a straight pull headstock. There`s other stuff too that maybe others can chime in on, but IMHO graphite doesn`t hold a candle to the Big Bends or some of the others. Nice axe, and the keys look great!

thanks, i have to do a double take everytime i see the Lester on the stand and smile, Big Bends nut sauce ? where in the fongu do i find that ? just realized , were you responding to Ganzler ...?
here is a full shot