Make of tuners on a Mix F5

[Daniel Nestlerode]

Hi folks,
I have a tuning machine having some trouble on my Mix F5.
(It got bumped pretty good following a gig and now it's a bit wobbly even under tension.)
Does anyone know what make they are? My guess is Schaller, but I'm appealing to the hive mind because I may need to replace them and I'd rather not change holes in the carbon fibre.
Pearloid buttons, black knob posts, nickel or chrome everywhere else.

Thanks!
Daniel

[MikeEdgerton]

It's easier to ID them from a picture. Sorry about the accident. :(

[Jim Gallaher]

They were spec'd with Grover tuners, with Waverly's available as an option.

[Daniel Nestlerode]

OK. Trying to remember how to post a photo now... :)136608
Think I got it.

And now I think I may have found them. Looks like they are being discontinued. I wonder how easy it will be to find them here in the UK?
:/

https://www.allparts.com/TK-8388-001-Grover-F-Mandolin-Keys-Nickel_p_4916.html

Daniel

[Ivan Kelsall]

From Daniel - " I wonder how easy it will be to find them here in the UK? " If you've tried looking for a specific brand of tuner over here,as i have,you'll know that ultimately,you'll have to look to the US for them. Mandolin tuners are available over here,but the one's i've found have been cheap 'no name' brands or Gotoh. If Allparts US has them in stock,get 'em while you can !
Ivan;)

[Ron McMillan]

I got Keith Robson (http://www.robsontuners.com/) in Sunderland to make me replacements for the junk that came on my A4. The tuning posts matched the specs precisely, and only a couple of screw holes had to be relocated. This didn't leave a mess, as the old holes were hidden by the tuner plates. Also, the Robsons came needing three fixing screws, not five, which helped. Robsons are more expensive, but in a different league from the Grovers. Those are the Robsons in my avatar photo, left.

[Daniel Nestlerode]

Thanks all!
Lots to consider, Robson, Waverly, or replacing the Gotohs. And that's if the current problem is irreparable.
I gave a shout to AJ Lucas. We'll see how it goes.
Thanks again!
Daniel

[MikeEdgerton]

By the way, did you try contacting Peter Mix?

[Daniel Nestlerode]

I thought of it, but I have somehow lost his email address. We had contact in late 2012 regarding the purchase of a new Mix F5, and I ended up getting this one from a fellow Cafe member.

FWIW, this mandolin has been a champion. I get compliments on its tone, both plugged and unplugged (but especially plugged). It handles the weather here in the UK as though we were in central California. And it stays in a gig bag. If you check out photos on my Facebook pages and my website, you'll see a lot of this mandolin. It gets about 2/3 of my gigging time.

After dropping on its tuning machine, I will change its storage and travel habits. Going down to TAMCO as soon as time permits to get me another Eastman case.

I'll be taking the mandolin to a student of AJ Lucas's this evening. I'll order new tuners in the morning if it becomes, as seems likely, necessary.

Thanks again all!
Daniel

[Ivan Kelsall]

Daniel - Why not go for a Travelite case ?.Of all the cases i've tried (& own),the T is by far the best IMHO. There's more room around the tuners in the headstock area than any case i've tried other than my TKL rect. case,& they're really well padded inside & on the outside as well. Currently £56 UK from Musician's Friend. Mike Marshall trusts his Loar to one,so i reckon my Ellis "A" style should survive as long as i don't get stupid,after all,it's us that puts the mandolin/case in harms way !,
Ivan;)
136652 Cafe member Ron McMillan's mandolin & Travelite.

[lenf12]

OK. Trying to remember how to post a photo now... :)136608
Think I got it.

https://www.allparts.com/TK-8388-001-Grover-F-Mandolin-Keys-Nickel_p_4916.html

Daniel

I believe you are correct with the Grover tuners Daniel. They are definitely not Schallers.

Len B.
Clearwater, FL

[Daniel Nestlerode]

Mandolin is in the capable hands of Jamie Swanell, former student of AJ Lucas, who happens to live about a mile away.
When I go pick up the instrument, I'll test drive a guitar or two. :)

I'm going with an Eastman because it has a smaller profile than the Travelite... and you can put stickers on it. Two small kids and two adults going on holiday in a Honda Insight means everything has to be smaller! And I am NOT leaving a mandolin home.

St. Brueic here we come!
Thanks all!

Daniel

[Ivan Kelsall]

From Daniel - "....and you can put stickers on it.". You mean like this !,
Ivan;)
136712

[mandroid]

I put Stew Mac Elites in my Mix A5.

Schallers are using a Diecast frame , when you have them Off th eheadstock
you can remove the worm gear-Button shafts .

by unscrewing the Round gear center screw.

I have a Backwards turning as worm under F5 set , that turns 'Normal'
after shaft swapping them around , with the feature ,
of having them easily removed and re assembled as a Worm over .

except of course traditionally , the F5 peg heads are Not drilled for that set-up.

[Daniel Nestlerode]

Jamie Swanell is a brilliant luthier. And he fixed the tuning gear too.
The tension plate was bent. He straightened it out. Pretty much Job Done. I think the repair will last a bit, but that new tuners will be required in the not too distant future.

I tickled his guitars afterward. Really good work on the standard sort of OM sized instruments. But he showed utter brilliance in an arched top cantilevered neck instrument. Cantilevered isn't even the right word. The neck is held to the body by a pair of slightly exposed rods. One of carbon fibre and the other of steel. He's working on a web site, so go and visit when you get the chance if forward looking design is your thing.
http://www.lovanen.co.uk/

Daniel