Ebony Tuner Buttons for Grovers

**flairbzzt** · Oct-13-2005, 10:06am

I just received 3 first prototype buttons from Rich Berger, president of Grover. These are not small guitar buttons as they might appear.- they are newly made fro their mando tuners.. Take a look at the pics and let me know what you think. The 2 "half round" buttons are not the same-there are subtle diffences in the size and shape. Top to bottom they are widest to smallest on my Eastman. Here's a chance for direct feedback to the manufacturer.

**flairbzzt** · Oct-13-2005, 10:07am

Better pic

**flairbzzt** · Oct-13-2005, 10:08am

And one more

**siren_20** · Oct-13-2005, 10:10am

Just my personal opinion, but I've seen a few mandolins that use what appear to be the stock small ebony buttons from Grover. I'm not crazy about the look--the shape just doesn't do it for me. I prefer the round buttons. If the round buttons were available for Grovers, I'd defnitely pick up a set.

**jmkatcher** · Oct-13-2005, 10:31am

Another vote for the traditional shape. It just looks better in proportion and style with mandolin pegheads.

**Fretbear** · Oct-13-2005, 11:14am

Three in a row...I also don't like the guitar shape but would buy a set of round ebony ones in a heartbeat....good for Grover, they have moved to the front of the pack with quality and price, and now they are innovating and giving players what they want.
Here's another suggestion; high quality, four to a strip sealed tuners similar to Shaller "mini's" that look completely traditional from the front. Put on your new buttons and charge more....I'd buy them.

**Jim Hilburn** · Oct-13-2005, 11:27am

I got those for my #35. I'd still like to see someone take it upon themselves to make round ebony buttons for all the main brands. Bill James? Steve Smith?

**mandoJeremy** · Oct-13-2005, 11:34am

I too prefer the small round buttons. I don't like the guitar shaped ones at all plus it is difficult enough to keep a peg winder going between the pegs with the smaller buttons and those have more space in between two buttons. The guitar shaped ones would just be way too close together for the peg winder.

**mandoJeremy** · Oct-13-2005, 11:34am

Jim, I think Steve Smith would be the guy to do it.

**ronlane3** · Oct-13-2005, 1:07pm

I would agree with the others. I prefer the round traditional ones and would be interested in a set for my grovers.

**flairbzzt** · Oct-13-2005, 1:26pm

This is great. Keep it coming.

**Scotti Adams** · Oct-13-2005, 5:15pm

I dont like the looks of those either...back last year I fitted a set of Grover tuners with Waverly ebony buttons..I had to modify the shape of the hole in the button to accept the shaft....I done the same with a set of Gotoh tuners only with those I modified the shaft to fit the button...both were done using a Dremel tool.

**man doh** · Oct-13-2005, 6:02pm

Round ebony for me too!!!!

**Mando Medic** · Oct-13-2005, 10:12pm

As I replied on another string you posted at Mandolin Cafe about these buttons: I don't like the 3 prototypes. I prefer to see, use,stock and sell the shape of the Pearl or plastic buttons below the ebony ones. If they can and will do that, then they have a ready market. I'd also like to see black machine head frames for both A and F style. kenc
"Just my opinion, but I'm Cartwright."

**Zed** · Oct-14-2005, 8:04am

Another vote for trad round here. Just don't care for those shapes at all.

**leonardbakers** · Oct-14-2005, 8:53am

I've got to go for the round one's too. At least for my mandos. I've got an octave with a Martin-lookin' peghead that the bean shaped one's would look nice on though.

**Big Joe** · Oct-14-2005, 9:08am

I've got a set of Waverly Ebony buttons on one of my mandolins with Grover tuners and I love them. It was a little work to get them to fit, but not the end of the world. They look great, feel great, and even sound great! What more could one want?

**kyblue** · Oct-14-2005, 9:23am

I like them. #Maybe others would like them better on a headstock that didn't have all the frilly F style curly Q stuff going on? (sorry guys, I know, those are scrrrolllsss)

**flairbzzt** · Oct-15-2005, 1:13pm

I've submitted the consensus to Mr. Berger at Grover and he has responded that he's looking into of our suggestions.

**Ted Eschliman** · Oct-15-2005, 3:44pm

Admittedly, the perpetual Salmon swimming upstream here, #but I've never been that wild about ebony on a tuner, and that sentiment seems to fly in the face of those who work with wood regularly...
I'd still prefer a black opaque plastic, or exponentially better, a black marine pearl in the round.

**flairbzzt** · Oct-15-2005, 6:28pm

What? Not BLUE pearl buttons?

**Ted Eschliman** · Oct-15-2005, 8:54pm

Originally Posted by (flairbzzt @ Oct. 15 2005, 18:28)

What? Not BLUE pearl buttons?

Oh, NOW you're talkin'!!!

**RI-Grass** · Oct-15-2005, 9:50pm

I really like the hexagonal button on the bottom.
Sal

**arrowmandolin** · Oct-15-2005, 10:56pm

Another vote for the round shape,oh and by the way, I solved the issue for my personal axe....I epoxy painted the pearloid, then hit them with 1800 grit-sure looks like ebony to me.