Tuner replacement

[TinaBee1]

I have a 1917 Gibson A1 mandolin. The tuner peg’s sort of slip – you have to turn a lot to get a little sometimes – if that make sense. Someone said I should replace them. My teacher suggested I look on Mandolin Café to see if that topic has been discussed. #I found a really good message thread on the topic but I didn’t get to print it out. I’ve searched again and now I can’t find it!! All I really remember is that a luthier named Paul who was in CA gave some great advice about they don’t really need to be replaced just cleaned up – I think. #The reason I remember the luthier was in CA is because my teacher use to live there and he said he was active in the SW Bluegrass Assoc. or something like that. Anyway, can someone point me in that direction or offer some advice??

[John Flynn]

I'm not an expert on this, so I hope some real experts chime in. If it were me, I'd have a luthier familiar with old Gibsons look at it. Some of those old instruments have tuner configurations that don't match modern tuners. You choices may be: Getting custom tuners to fit from Waverly (very expensive), having some re-drilling done to make a modern set fit (not a bad option, but not a job for amateurs) or having the current tuners and nut reworked. I see from your profile you are in Fredricksburg, VA. I would drop into Picker's Supply and see what they have to say. Also, Dave Cohen in Richmond is a great guy and an accomplished mando luthier, who could probably do any work you need to have done, or know who would.

[Dave Cohen]

I just installed the "stretch" Waverly tuners in a 1917 F4 belonging to a good friend. That is a good but expensive option. His mandolin already had the non-"stretch" Waverlys installed, and the fit was not good. The "Paul" in the previous thread was probably Paul Hostetter. His advice on cleaning and reworking the original tuners was sound. Occasionally the old ones can't be reworked, but often they can. So whoever does the work for you should at least give a long look at reworking the old tuners first, before considering replacing the tuners. On vintage mandolins, the holes in the peghead were sometimes not lined up very well, so replacing the tuners often involves filling some of the holes with wood plugs and re-drilling. If the tuners have turned greenish and have some white crystals forming on the surface, don't abrasively polish that stuff off. Frank Ford's advice is to just knock off the loose stuff with a toothbrush.

[mythicfish]

I'll buy them sight unseen ... send me a PM

Curt

[atetone]

Looks like I am a bit behind the times,,, what are Waverly "stretch" tuners?
And where do you get them?

[Dave Cohen]

If you look in either Stew-Mac's print catalogue or their online catalogue, you should find the Waverly mandolin tuners in two spacings. One is the "standard", or non-stretch, variety, with a center-to-center tuner post spacing of 0.906" (=29/32"). The other is the "stretch" or "Vintage" variety, with a center-to-center tuner post spacing of 0.931". The latter is for the older Gibsons, while the former is the "standard" spacing for most modern archtop mandolins.

[MikeEdgerton]

Before you replace them have someone qualified simply service them and the nut. Chances are they simply need to be cleaned, adjusted, and lubricated. Barring any physical damage to them they are probably ultimately serviceable, and if Curt doesn't buy them I will.

[Bill Snyder]

Tina take a look at this thread. (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=7;t=32383;hl=vintage)

[atetone]

Thanks for the info Dave. I see that they are in F-style only and very pricey.
Too bad that none of the other manufacturers have them and at a better price point.
I am looking for a couple of sets for A styles.
I have done the servicing thing before with limited success, but maybe I will give it another try.

[TinaBee1]

Thanks Bill! that was the post I was looking for!!

[TinaBee1]

Just as a FYI - my friend and I followed the instructions by Paul H. on cleaning tuners. #We did my 1917A1 Gibson and it turned out just amazing! I put it in the case and left it for a week. I was playing my other mandolin http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif Pulled it out and it was still in tune. That is a first! It took quite a while to get it done -working the tuners and cleaning those little cogs with a soft toothbrush- but it has turned out to be so worth it. Thanks for the instructions Paul, and to Bill that found the original post.

[Paul Hostetter]

De nada. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif