Hal Loflin
Oct-02-2004, 9:43am
I am working on a 1974 Gibson F5 Master Model and the second tuner of the A string has some play in it when adjusting/tuning and is not tight like it should be. I'll try my best to explain....When tuning this string there is play in the worm gear. If tuned and tight forward it is fine but if you need to adjust down there is at least 3/4s of a turn play. How can I fix this and remove the play?
Thanks
There will be two likely causes of what you describe; either the gears are worn so badly that they no longer mesh solidly, but more likely the worm gear has too much end play. Tighten the string up to pitch, and then see if there is a gap between the end of the worm gear and one of the lugs that holds it on. Then turn it the other direction and see if the worm gear moves toward the other lug, rather than turning the shaft gear. If that is the case, you would need to figure out some way of eliminating the end play in the worm gear shaft. If there was any way to disassemble the tuners you could find (or make) a tiny washer to fit on the end of the worm gear shaft. (I've found small parts at Hobby shops or jewelry stores.)