Waverly Tuners

[kgp1]

How do I determine if a set of mandoline tuners I have are Waverly tuners?

[Scotti Adams]

..what kind of mando are they on?....thats a good start...

[Big Joe]

Are they overly heavy, cost way too much, and don't always work perfectly? That is a good clue . Actually the workmanship is quite nice and they are very heavy. That would be a good indication. The machining is extremely good. If you post a picture of them we can probably tell you very quickly.

[Jim Roberts]

When Bill Collings installs them, they always work perfectly!

[Mando Medic]

Joe, That may be your opinion and I know that they are installed on some of the current Gibson models, but that was way below the belt. I have installed many sets of Waverly tuners and have never, repeat never, had a problem with them. As for them being heavier than Grovers, which by the way are made where, what is the weight difference? Just when you start to win my respect, you make a statement like that. When you start talking about cost, I say just because Gibson can't buy them at full markup like you can Grovers is no reason to slam a quality product made in America. Funny that my Master Model Prototype #3 came them. Ken Cartwright
"Just my opinion, but I'm Cartwright."

[kgp1]

The tuners came from Gibson.

[Mando Medic]

Which model of Gibson do you have? Kenc

[kgp1]

I think they came from a F-5L. They are silver in color. I sent a mandolin back to Gibson and the sent me a new mandolin with an extra set of tuners.

[Mando Medic]

Depending on the time frame, I would venture to guess that they are either Grover or Schaller. They reserved Waverly tuners for the Master Model or the Distressed. Some of the Fern Varnish models had them but I think they were a special order on those. If you pull the tuners, If my memory serves me right, I believe that the Waverly tuners are marked on the back side. Are you able to post a photo of your tuners without taking them off? Kenc

[BigJoe]

Hey Ken...I don't think you read my post very well. I was quite tongue in cheek when I made the supposed negative comment and was noted with a smiley face. They are a first class product. They are too heavy and when set up properly they work great. I personally prefer the Grovers because they are lighter and they have an 18:1 ratio as opposed to the 14:1 ratio of the Waverly's. In addition, we pay the very same price for the Waverly's as anyone else. Whatever Stew Mac charges we pay. Just like you or anyone else. Anytime the tuners cost about 500 bucks alone, it is quite a bit of money. Are they worth five to ten times as much as the others out there? Maybe, but I prefer the Grovers. That being said, two of my mandolins have Waverly's. They are still a great product and, yes, they are made in America. Right in Bozeman Montana.

[Mando Medic]

Hey Joe,You're right about not reading the post very clearly. I went back and re-read the post and now I see that you did make the comments somewhat tongue in cheek. My apologies. However, I really have never had a problem with the Waverly tuners. Doesn't Gibson buy them at the "Builders Price?" If I'm not mistaken, that's about 10% under list. Do you happen to know if the Grovers that you folks went to are made off shore?
What would normally be installed on the F-5L? Kenc

[Big Joe]

Hey Ken...The F5 Fern would have the Grovers tuners. I don't know where they are made but they do work very nice. My only complaint about the Grovers is the shaft is longer than the originals. Otherwise, the weight is good, and the gearing is better. They are a much better tuner than the other two major brands available. Waverly's are good tuners. I just really don't like the weight. I think you get better tone and a better chop with the lighter tuner. Maybe Mr. Loar knew something about what he was doing. . I will find out where the Grovers are made and let you know.

[Mando Medic]

Joe,
Didn't the Loars use the original Waverly's? Kenc

[Fretbear]

Last time I checked Wavery tuners had a 16:1 gear ratio......

[mandoman4807]

Are they overly heavy, cost way too much, and don't always work perfectly? #That is a good clue . #Actually the workmanship is quite nice and they are very heavy.

Come on BigJoe, don`t say that! They work great on my Gibson MM. Wouldn't change them out for anything out there


DS

[kgp1]

I checked the tuners last night, There is nothing on the back of them to indicate they are Waverly tuners. I also checked them against my MM and they are definately not the same tuners. If they are not Waverlys, what are they worth?

[AlanN]

Anybody know what tuners Gilchrist puts on his mandolins?

[JimRichter]

I believe Gilchrist was/is modifying Gotohs to his specifications. He puts Waverlys on mandos--I know Compton has them on his 5 and 4 (though the 4 has Handel buttons Mike got from an old A4)--but his stock option was the Gotohs. Don't know if that is still the case.

Jim

[Big Joe]

Kgp1...depending upon when your fern was made it will have either Schallers or Grovers on them. We used Schallers for a long time but switched in the last year to Grovers. We think the Grovers work better with less problems. Without seeing them it would be hard to tell you which you have. Of course, that is assuming they are the originals. If they are schallers they would proabably bring 20-25 bucks used. I don't have a clue about the Grovers, but they are about 200 new.