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Thread: Gotoh measurements needed

  1. #1
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Gotoh measurements needed

    I have a set of what I bought (unpackaged) as Gotoh worm over nickel F style tuners. I bought a set of of pearl buttons for them only to find the buttons don't fit but three other people I know of bought the same buttons and they fit on their Gotoh tuners. Could someone with a known set of the newer Gotoh tuners throw a digital caliper on the end and give me the width of the rounded ends and the flat ends? I don't want to have to buy another set of tuners if these are indeed Gotoh's and my pearl buttons are just wrong. These have a Made in Japan sticker on the back side of the plates. Thanks.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
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  2. #2

    Default Re: Gotoh measurements needed

    If no one gets to this by next week I can take measurements for you... Both my Kentucky 7xx series Mandolin's have newer Gotoh Tuners since they are brand new, but both are away right now till mid next week
    Matthew Morgan
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    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gotoh measurements needed

    Thanks.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

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    Default Re: Gotoh measurements needed

    Mike,

    I replaced the pearl buttons on my (older) Gotoh tuners which are on my Gilchrist with black buttons. I don't need the pearl ones any more, and don't know if they'll fit your tuners, but send me a mailing address and I'll pop in the mail, FOC.

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    Default Re: Gotoh measurements needed

    AlanN - where did you get your black Gotoh buttons?

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    Default Re: Gotoh measurements needed

    From this here site, responding to an ad.

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    Default Re: Gotoh measurements needed

    Mine were installed new in 2012. Do you still need measurement?

    Also here's some pictures of the 2 different style Gotoh shafts and buttons (which you probably have seen):
    Quote Originally Posted by Gail Hester View Post
    I assume you have newer gears but you may want to read this first.
    http://www.lutherie.net/gotoh.compared.html

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    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gotoh measurements needed

    I am familiar with Paul's site but I'm looking for the dimensions where the button's attach, the flats and the rounded ends. 2012 would be fine as long as the shaft isn't square. I'm not sure when they made the transition, I have both types. I have the square dimensions.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

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    Default Re: Gotoh measurements needed

    .105" flat
    .144" round
    or
    2.70mm flat
    3.62mm rounded

    measured near the end

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  12. #10
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gotoh measurements needed

    That's what I needed, thanks!
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

  13. #11
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    Default Re: Gotoh measurements needed

    Well, that answers that. These look like Gotoh's, the screw sizes are the same but the button shafts are larger than that. These are probably the Saga tuners I've heard about but never seen (well, I guess I have now). I didn't pay much for them, I'll go order some genuine Gotoh's so I can use my pearl buttons on them. Thanks. Talk about making me nuts.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

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    Default Re: Gotoh measurements needed

    Mike, Can you file down the shaft of the tuner to make it fit. I have done that in the past and had no problems. I wanted the original buttons on my 1890 banjo, but put newer tuners made to fit the friction tuning hole. I had to file the new tuners to use my original buttons, that was 30 some years ago and still working well.
    THE WORLD IS A BETTER PLACE JUST FOR YOUR SMILE!

  15. #13
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gotoh measurements needed

    Yes I could but I'd rather not. I'd rather have the real thing here if I can get it

    That's pretty much the only answer for some well known tuners with limited button choices.

    Added: Ordered a set of AllParts Gotoh MF40 Nickel.
    Last edited by MikeEdgerton; Jan-22-2018 at 3:42pm.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

  16. #14
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gotoh measurements needed

    OK, the genuine Gotoh tuners arrived to day and the pearl buttons fit. The rivets are different on the back. The Saga tuners (fake Gotoh's) have a smooth rivet, the genuine Gotoh's have a lined pattern. Paul Hostetter's site shows different rivet patterns for different years of Gotoh's. The screw sizes are the same. The cogs have a slightly different pattern on the top but I'm not sure if the older ones did or didn't. The Saga tuners have more shine to them, the Gotoh's seem more industrial. The big all telling part is the size of the stem where the buttons slide on. I'm going to try and post some images next week. The Saga tuners will disappear. I don't want them to be foisted on an unsuspecting world again.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

  17. #15

    Default Re: Gotoh measurements needed

    I'm looking for a replacement pearly button for the older Gotoh tuners - square shaft. Anyone got one floating around?

  18. #16
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gotoh measurements needed

    If you're talking about the faux pearl buttons that came standard on the tuners PM me your name and mailing address and mail you one. If you're looking for real MOP I don't have extras of those.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

  19. #17

    Default Re: Gotoh measurements needed

    Thanks, Mike. I've been covered.

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