Kentucky km550 tuners lousy ?

**Coachz** · Dec-01-2010, 2:52pm

I just got a new 550 and i think the tuners are terrible. Is this normal? There is lots of play between forwards and backwards and tightening the hih E feels like im about tonsnap the neck off.

Im suprised for this much money. Will lube help or should i start saving up for good ones?

Thanks

**Nick Triesch** · Dec-01-2010, 3:35pm

In the world of mandolins the KM-500 is not an expensive mandolin. Although I'm sure it will be fine to learn the basics on you cannot expect the tuners to be top notch. Or even close for that matter. I would put a tiny amount of petroleum jelly with a toothpick onto the gears and exercise them for a bit. Nick

**Coachz** · Dec-01-2010, 4:31pm

Will do, for the money i expected damn nice tuners though. Sucks. I can buy agile guitars for $150 with tuners much better. What tuners can i get that are top quality?

**Rick Cadger** · Dec-01-2010, 5:21pm

If the tuners are the same Gotohs as the ones on the 505, which I'm fairly sure they are, then they're fine. Short of forking out a fortune for Waverleys, most Schaller, Gotoh, Grover etc are pretty much of a muchness. Small differences that are so subjective that you'll get supporters for each of those brands.

Tuner issues are more often caused by something else: incorrect post-hole spacing, nut binding, tuning down instead of up, incorrectly executed string windings on the posts...

I guess your particular set of tuners may be faulty, but as a group, those tuners are fine. I'd check those other factors.

**Gail Hester** · Dec-01-2010, 5:24pm

Those should be Gotoh turners and they are usually very, very nice. You'll find them on many high end mandolins such on many Gilchrists. I use them if customers don't want the added expense of Waverly's and I like them a lot. As with just about anything, occassionally you'll get a bad one or in this case a bad set. Since your mandolin is new I recommend you request a new set of machines or return it to have it evaluated to see if something else is causing the problem.

**rgray** · Dec-01-2010, 5:26pm

My Kentucky 505 tuners originally gave me the same problem. I used some oil I bought specifically for my cuckoo clock (due to the fact that cuckoo mechanism are open to the air same as tuners). All has been fine since.

**Folkmusician.com** · Dec-01-2010, 9:13pm

The KM-500 and 550 have different tuners used on them. They do have some backlash, but seem to work well. If there is a problem with binding, this is more likely the post hole being slightly off, or the bushing not being quite right. The best thing to use for lube is something with Teflon. Put a little in the bushing as well.

**Folkmusician.com** · Dec-01-2010, 9:22pm

I didn't realize the 550 came from me (I realized who you were from the post on the other 550 thread)....

How bad is the E tuner? Would you like me to get the mandolin back and take a look at it?

**Coachz** · Dec-01-2010, 9:52pm

Are they supposed to have back lash? I think im probably spoiled with guitar tuners. I can check if the knobs are tight and oil them too.
john

**Rick Cadger** · Dec-02-2010, 3:36am

Originally Posted by Folkmusician.com

The KM-500 and 550 have different tuners used on them. [...]

Hey Robert, that's a surprise.

Specs for both read: "High-quality, gold-plated Gotoh tuners with engraved plate and removable buttons".

What's the difference between the two?

**Coachz** · Dec-02-2010, 8:15am

I found the problem. The plastic "knobs" are loose. There is a square notch in them that lines up with the shaft and the notch on the plastic knob is a bit too big. It probably needs to be machined metal to fit exactly. I'm having to tighten the knobs way too much to get rid of the slop. Like 2 full turns. Now I fear crushing them with too much tension. But, the tuners move very smoothly and without the slop now. The tuners themselves have zero slop, it's the crazy knobs.

Do they make metal knobs?

So what's the best lube to use on the gears themselves. I would assume I want something that is not greasy or oily. Teflon or graphite ?

Maybe this lube? http://www.kadee.com/htmbord/page231.htm

Thanks again !

**Folkmusician.com** · Dec-02-2010, 12:46pm

I don't have a 550 here now, but I will check and see if I can match and get knobs that fit these and get you a set. I am not aware of any metal versions. I keep telling the wife (also my accountant) I "need" a lathe. hehe Maybe this will add to the sales pitch.

Tri-flo is the common brand of Teflon lube to look for. Generally found in bike shops.

**Folkmusician.com** · Dec-02-2010, 1:01pm

Rick,

I am not sure as to the brand of tuners. I don't recognized them. I need to pull one off and see if I can identify it. I think the 500 and 550 were originally supposed to have the Gotoh tuners on them. I just updated our site. I'll ask Saga what these are, and also look under the plate when I get another.