Waverly tuners

[deepmountain]

OK...I've looked through all the threads and I'm still not sure; can I change a new set of Waverly F style tuning machines so that the worm gear is on top? Do I need a special spanner wrench? Will the tuners work satisfactorily switched this way?

Thanks...

Jim Abrams

[Michael Lewis]

I don't think there is much at all to be gained by switching the parts around on a set of Waverly machines. It can be done but is a bigger job than for most machines. You would need the special spanner tool and some thread locker to adjust the tension and set it more or less permanently.

One thing you might regret from this operation is the buttons will turn backward. The original reasoning to have the worms above the spur gears is to have the spur gears forced into the worms with the string tension on the string posts. With the Waverly machines this does not happen due to the robust construction and exacting precision the machines are made with.