Tuner buttons replacement source inquiry...

tryingtopick · 11-03-2009, 07:24 PM

Perhaps someone in this knowlegeable community has experience with this situation....
A button on my KM-Dawg fell apart this evening, and I reached for an ivoroid button from an older set of gold plated square shafted tuners to replace it...... It would not fit.... the square shaped socket was too shallow to accept the screw.
Both sets of tuners have square shafts with removable slotted screws, but the screws on the KM-Dawg tuners were significantly shorter than the screws on the other set of tuners I had available.....
I seek some ivoriod tuner buttons with deeper than "normal" sockets that accept the square shafts. I checked the StewMac, AllParts, and Siminoff catalogues to no avail......
Thanks in advance for the help! Samuel Rawlins, Atlanta, Ga.

mandroid · 11-03-2009, 07:58 PM

many brand suppliers of tuners , so maybe pictures are required [clairvoyants aside]

Do you have the capacity [tools, workspace and skills] to modify the buttons you have or can find ?

Sending the tuners off, hiring help that is able to do the work may be in order, if not.

Ivan Kelsall · 11-04-2009, 01:54 AM

I'd try to contact 'SAGA instruments' direct to find out firstly, if they can either send you a replacement or at least advise you as to what make the tuners are & where you can get replacement buttons for them. Logic says that they're not going to be a hard to find 'exclusive' brand,so you should be able to obtain them from somewhere,
Ivan

lenf12 · 11-04-2009, 12:54 PM

This article originally published in "Frets" magazine and reprinted here on the Cafe (8/21/2004 by Charles Johnson) states that the tuners were Saga gold plated. To my eyes, they look very much like Gotoh tuners and I would not be surprised if Gotoh had a "private label" arrangement with Saga at the time.

http://www.vintagemandolin.com/kentu...iclepage1.html

Len B.
Clearwater, FL

JEStanek · 11-04-2009, 01:16 PM

Saga would be the wrong source. Try Eastman. Shoot Sean Chase a PM he's a member of this board and catches most of the clearly Eastman labeled threads. This is his mandolincafe user name SChase@EastmanStrings. He should be able to point you in the direction of a proper replacement button.

Jamie

Gail Hester · 11-04-2009, 01:40 PM

The old Gotoh buttons can be hard to find. I have an old set like yours but the buttons are all cracked, they seem to go at the same time. I've ended up replacing the tuner set with a new set of Gotohs since there are lots of options for buttons. A new set will fit and look the same (make sure you get the same configuration, worm under/over). Roger Siminoff is the best source for all things Gotoh but I don't believe he has any of the old buttons left. I'm sure he would be happy to help get the correct replacememt set if you give him a call.

BlueMt. · 11-04-2009, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JEStanek

Saga would be the wrong source. Try Eastman. Shoot Sean Chase a PM he's a member of this board and catches most of the clearly Eastman labeled threads. This is his mandolincafe user name SChase@EastmanStrings. He should be able to point you in the direction of a proper replacement button.

Jamie

KM-Dawg's were made by Saga/Kentucky in the 1980's.

MikeEdgerton · 11-04-2009, 02:27 PM

Yes they were. I think he mistook it for the recent Dawg/Eastman collaborations.

JEStanek · 11-04-2009, 02:32 PM

Whoops! Apologies. Don't bug Sean. He won't be able to help! Right, KM Dawgs were the cool Monteleone looking ones.

Jamie

SChase@EastmanStrings · 11-05-2009, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JEStanek

Whoops! Apologies. Don't bug Sean. He won't be able to help! Right, KM Dawgs were the cool Monteleone looking ones.

Jamie

Yeah, dont bug me

tryingtopick · 11-07-2009, 06:38 AM

Thanks to all for the information and advice..... With no apparent availability of correctly sized replacement buttons, perhaps I should attempt to extend the existing square hole deeper into the buttons that are now available.....
With the appropriate tooling, my original KM-DAWG tuners would be preserved, the original screws would fit, and we could rescue all of the vintage Japanese manufactured Saga/Kentucky Master Model mandolin and mandola owners from this inconvenience.
Anybody know where to obtain a bit to drill a square hole this size?...... And what size is it?
Thanks in advance for the help! I shall report my findings........

11-03-2009, 07:24 PM	#1
tryingtopick Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 4	Tuner buttons replacement source inquiry... Perhaps someone in this knowlegeable community has experience with this situation.... A button on my KM-Dawg fell apart this evening, and I reached for an ivoroid button from an older set of gold plated square shafted tuners to replace it...... It would not fit.... the square shaped socket was too shallow to accept the screw. Both sets of tuners have square shafts with removable slotted screws, but the screws on the KM-Dawg tuners were significantly shorter than the screws on the other set of tuners I had available..... I seek some ivoriod tuner buttons with deeper than "normal" sockets that accept the square shafts. I checked the StewMac, AllParts, and Siminoff catalogues to no avail...... Thanks in advance for the help! Samuel Rawlins, Atlanta, Ga.

11-03-2009, 07:58 PM	#2
mandroid coprolite Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Outer Spiral Arm, of Galaxy Posts: 6,472	Re: Tuner buttons replacement source inquiry... many brand suppliers of tuners , so maybe pictures are required [clairvoyants aside] Do you have the capacity [tools, workspace and skills] to modify the buttons you have or can find ? Sending the tuners off, hiring help that is able to do the work may be in order, if not. __________________ mandolin wanker Blasphemy is a Victim-Less Crime.

11-04-2009, 01:54 AM	#3
Ivan Kelsall Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Manchester - Lancashire - NW England Posts: 2,741	Re: Tuner buttons replacement source inquiry... I'd try to contact 'SAGA instruments' direct to find out firstly, if they can either send you a replacement or at least advise you as to what make the tuners are & where you can get replacement buttons for them. Logic says that they're not going to be a hard to find 'exclusive' brand,so you should be able to obtain them from somewhere, Ivan __________________ Weber F-5 'Fern'. Lebeda F-5 "Special". Stelling Bellflower. Tanglewood TW-1000SR. Tokai - 'Tele-alike'.

11-04-2009, 12:54 PM	#4
lenf12 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 358	Re: Tuner buttons replacement source inquiry... This article originally published in "Frets" magazine and reprinted here on the Cafe (8/21/2004 by Charles Johnson) states that the tuners were Saga gold plated. To my eyes, they look very much like Gotoh tuners and I would not be surprised if Gotoh had a "private label" arrangement with Saga at the time. http://www.vintagemandolin.com/kentu...iclepage1.html Len B. Clearwater, FL

11-04-2009, 01:16 PM	#5
JEStanek Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Pottstown, PA Posts: 7,798 Blog Entries: 1	Re: Tuner buttons replacement source inquiry... Saga would be the wrong source. Try Eastman. Shoot Sean Chase a PM he's a member of this board and catches most of the clearly Eastman labeled threads. This is his mandolincafe user name SChase@EastmanStrings. He should be able to point you in the direction of a proper replacement button. Jamie __________________ There are two things to aim at in life: first, to get what you want; and, after that, to enjoy it. Only the wisest of mankind achieve the second. Logan Pearsall Smith, 1865 - 1946 + Give Blood, Save a Life +

11-04-2009, 01:40 PM	#6
Gail Hester Hester Mandolins Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Poulsbo, WA (Seattle) Posts: 1,518	Re: Tuner buttons replacement source inquiry... The old Gotoh buttons can be hard to find. I have an old set like yours but the buttons are all cracked, they seem to go at the same time. I've ended up replacing the tuner set with a new set of Gotohs since there are lots of options for buttons. A new set will fit and look the same (make sure you get the same configuration, worm under/over). Roger Siminoff is the best source for all things Gotoh but I don't believe he has any of the old buttons left. I'm sure he would be happy to help get the correct replacememt set if you give him a call. __________________ Gail Hester

11-04-2009, 02:27 PM	#8
MikeEdgerton Moderator Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 8,015	Re: Tuner buttons replacement source inquiry... Yes they were. I think he mistook it for the recent Dawg/Eastman collaborations.

11-04-2009, 02:32 PM	#9
JEStanek Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Pottstown, PA Posts: 7,798 Blog Entries: 1	Re: Tuner buttons replacement source inquiry... Whoops! Apologies. Don't bug Sean. He won't be able to help! Right, KM Dawgs were the cool Monteleone looking ones. Jamie __________________ There are two things to aim at in life: first, to get what you want; and, after that, to enjoy it. Only the wisest of mankind achieve the second. Logan Pearsall Smith, 1865 - 1946 + Give Blood, Save a Life +

11-07-2009, 06:38 AM	#11
tryingtopick Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 4	Re: Tuner buttons replacement source inquiry... Thanks to all for the information and advice..... With no apparent availability of correctly sized replacement buttons, perhaps I should attempt to extend the existing square hole deeper into the buttons that are now available..... With the appropriate tooling, my original KM-DAWG tuners would be preserved, the original screws would fit, and we could rescue all of the vintage Japanese manufactured Saga/Kentucky Master Model mandolin and mandola owners from this inconvenience. Anybody know where to obtain a bit to drill a square hole this size?...... And what size is it? Thanks in advance for the help! I shall report my findings........