Wavering on Waverlys

**JStrungover** · Nov-07-2009, 11:29pm

Although there have probably been many posts in the past regarding theses tuning machines, I would like to solicit some advice. I've had my Ellis A model for about 6 months and it is great. I have been having some minor issues keeping the high E strings in tune. It's something that I can almost live with, but would rather not. Has anyone had success switching to Waverlys? Would it be worth the $$? Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Jeremy

**frankenstein** · Nov-07-2009, 11:41pm

Mine came with Waverlies and i'd definitely recommend them. Worth the dollars maybe / maybe not but it should solve the problem..and add value..

**Glassweb** · Nov-07-2009, 11:49pm

high ticket tuners, but if they're installed properly they'll be as good as you can get. if you spring for them i would highly advise having Tom himself do the re-install as their proper alignment is critical for having them work properly. by the way, there's plenty of other causes for your e-strings not staying in tune...

**Big Joe** · Nov-08-2009, 12:33am

Yep. Tuners are about the last thing on the list of issues if you have a tuning issue. Most often the tuners are fine...especially that new. If they were 20 years old them you might consider the tuners as the problem, but not only 6 months old. Some of the common issues are the nut slots, saddle slots, overall setup. That would likely clear up the tuning issues for you.

**JStrungover** · Nov-08-2009, 1:18am

This tuning issue is a a minor one and probably would be undetectable by most people. It's one of those standard 8 string idiosyncrasies that all of us mandolin players tend to live with. The set-up is solid, I was really just wondering about other players experiences with Waverlys and if the tuners were worth investing in.

**Dfyngravity** · Nov-08-2009, 7:39am

A little less know here in the mandolin world, Alessi makes some awesome tuners that you can customize. And if you don't go too fancy, you can get them a bit less that Waverlys. If you are interested, you might consider talking to Mr. Condino, I think he deals with Mr. Alessi a bit more than most. Check out this recent thread.

Here is a picture of the A-style that are going on a mandolin I am having built.

**Kevin Knippa** · Nov-08-2009, 10:16am

Have you talked to Tom Ellis about your tuning problem?

I have one of his A's as well and have had no problem with the Gotoh tuners. I doubt it is the tuning machines.

Tom is very accessible. He even posts here as EllisPPI, so I would suggest you talk to him before you drop that kind of cash.

**mandroid** · Nov-08-2009, 11:00am

Would they be deductible? meaning 'musician' with the IRS, and able to take depreciation allowance on the tools of their trade?

As I mentioned prior , 2nd/3rd? hand Mix sold with Waverlys , but retrofit not expert job .
now downgraded to Elites, they don't bind, as string shaft to baseplate fit is not as fussy on installation precision , the backlash bushing on the worm shaft adds a little stiction but stays in tune
[ at least on this, a CF instrument] for a long, long time.

If you decide in favor, and come up with the Waverly cash, send instrument back to the builder to have them put on right.

**Perry** · Nov-08-2009, 11:39am

Waverly A model tuners is a special order from Stew-Mac (they don't stock them)

Some Waverly's change the tone of the instrument due their weight though the newer Waverly's weight less then previously. The change in tone may be better may be worse; depends on the instrument.

I've have a Mix with them and the high E string is very hard to turn due to improper installation....so yes make sure they are put in correctly....I can live with the one iffy tuner on the Mix because once its in it stays in tune for days, weeks even longer

Personally I love them and anything that keeps me in tune longer or takes me less time to tune I'm all for....Due to their their precision and lack of backlash it's much easier to get the strings up to correct pitch then many other brands.

**Big Joe** · Nov-08-2009, 2:51pm

They are great tuners, but I don't think they hold any better than the Grover or Gotoh's. They will last longer than the Gotoh's and are better built, but you can replace a LOT of Gotoh's for the same money as a set of Waverly's. Changing tuners will likely alter your tone and as said above, that may be good or it may not. Personally I like the Grover tuners better. I liked the ones we had at Gibson because they have the gold shaft rather than the black on them. I think they make them available like that now, but I am not completely sure. If I were to order a new mandolin I would probably be happy with any tuner the builder put on them except Schaller. I do NOT like them personally. Again, it is a matter of personal choice. You won't go wrong with Waverlies by any means, but I don't know if I could say they are that much better than anything else.

**Mandoist** · Nov-08-2009, 5:14pm

Originally Posted by Big Joe

You won't go wrong with Waverlies by any means, but I don't know if I could say they are that much better than anything else.

I'll say two things about the silver Waverly Loar repro tuning machines that were installed on Joe Val's Loar by David Harvey in 2006:

1) I love them; the appearance, the gradually 'aging' patina, and they feel great.

2) Waverly put the screws to me in order to get them for that mando. At the time they were not on the market (or some such thing?). David had purchased a limited set for himself for $500. He knew they had one set left, but Waverly wouldn't let them go. After some begging by David, he phoned me to say they would let me have them for an extra $100, because when they did retail them the cost would be $600 -- and that's what they wanted -- take it or leave it.

I wanted to tell Waverly exactly where to install those tuners. Instead, I took a breather and decided the mando deserved them and paid the #%$@&*#$ at Waverly the extra hundred. I thought that was pretty shabby treatment.