Other options for tuners

[Mandyplayer]

I noticed that there are three brands of tuners in the $70 price range, Gotoh, Schallers, and Elites. Does anyone have experience with these three or can give me a heads up which one would you recommend. Elites (made in Taiwan to Stew-Mac Waverly specs) have been out awhile now and maybe the opinions are in.

[mandroid]

F type multi-length shafts or uniform length shaft sets?

I have Schallers on 5 instruments, the gear mesh is just fine.

when installed on capstan above the knob F style headstocks,
you turn the knob the other way.

As It's, as nice mandolin that came that way, that's fine by me,
if that sort of detail bothers you,[on F5 installations]
order a set (another brand)
specify so that they will be the opposite.
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

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as with many an archived topic, search, and 'drink from the firehose'

[Fretbear]

The Grover "Deluxe" mandolin tuners with the black shafts are a lot of tuner for the sub $50 price. They are the only tuner with a 18:1 gear ratio. I like their look and performance, but the machines are only one aspect of what allows a mandolin to stay in perfect tune.

[Jim Hilburn]

I just used 2 sets of Gotoh's from LMI. you can get black or ivoroid buttons from them.
They are totally re-designed from the set I got about 6 years ago which I hated and the current sets are excellent.
However I personally still think Schaller's are a fine choice.

[Red Henry]

I've had good luck using the Schaller tuners. They work smoothly and hold well, and don't get loose screws which might rattle, and the price was reasonable.

I used them to replace a set of old (and unusable) Klusons. An unexpected benefit was that the Schallers were a lot lighter, and the mandolin's sound took a definite jump.

Red.

[Jason Holmes]

The Grover "Deluxe" mandolin tuners with the black shafts are a lot of tuner for the sub $50 price. They are the only tuner with a 18:1 gear ratio. I like their look and performance, but the machines are only one aspect of what allows a mandolin to stay in perfect tune.
I really like these too. Personally I wouldn't (couldn't) spend the money for the Waverly tuners, but the Grover Deluxes are my favorite tuner so far. It is really nice to have a little finer tuning with that 18:1 gear ratio. It makes a noticeable difference to me.

[Jim Hilburn]

Unless otherwise instructed I use Grovers on my A models. I have them on my octave and they work great. It seems crazy to spend more to me. however I don't like the black shafts on the F models or the color of the plating and the plates are just too long. That's why Gibson has them cut off the ends for the "Gibson Grover's".

[Salty Dog]

I have to agree with Red Henry's prior post. I just replaced a set of regular Grovers with a set of Gibson Grovers (with pearl buttons) and BRW#61 definitely sounds better. I wouldn't have believed a set of tuners could change the sound, but they have. I have no logical explanation as to why the sound would change, except for the mass differential which should be minute.

[northfolk]

I currently use Grovers and Elites. I have used Schallers and Gotohs. I did not like the Gotohs. I like the Grovers and the Schallers, but I really like the Elites; for what it's worth.

[Lefty&French]

I bought these Gibson Grovers three years ago, and I really like them (18:1 gear ratio). Are they still available?

[Ivan Kelsall]

I'm pretty sure that the tuners on my Weber Mandolins are Schaller's (someone correct me if i'm wrong re.that) & they work perfectly,
Saska

[fwoompf]

I've got Grovers on my Newell A and they've always treated me good.

http://www-personal.umich.edu/~garnetb/flatmando/red4.jpg

[Jim Hilburn]

Here's a shot of a set of Grover A's and when compared to Frenchy's pic of Gibson Grovers you can see the modifications they make.
First they cut away the excess pointy ends of the plates. you can see that the trim line that goes around the outside edges is interrupted on the Gibsons and also note the location of the top screw hole in relation to the edge. This was to give the tuners a similar footprint to Schallers because Gibson was switching from Schallers to Grover but didn't want to change their tooling.
While my photo is of A tuners, I'm pretty sure the button shafts on the Gibsons would be longer than normal Grover's, another way to make them fit with the holes that are drilled for Schallers.
Everything else is cosmetic. The smaller round buttons, the plated slot-head cog screws, and the satin plating.
All these changes make for a set of tuners which will improve the sound of your mandolin. Unfortunately, you can't get them anymore.

[Lefty&French]

Thanks Jim. Too Bad(No Gibson Grovers anymore as parts)!
My pic was borrowed...
This one isn't...