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Thread: Question on Grover 309 tuning machines

  1. #1
    MandolaViola bratsche's Avatar
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    Default Question on Grover 309 tuning machines

    I've read a lot of favorable comments on these here by searching, and have been considering purchasing a set of Grover 309N A-style tuners.

    But on several sites, I have seen this disturbing information:

    "Grover has provided some basic information regarding the direction of turn for these new mandolin machine tuners. The string is wound from the center of the peghead toward the outside of the peghead. With these 309 heads, you can easily lower the pitch of a string by simply turning them counter-clockwise (which is opposite of modern guitar tuners)."

    Is this accurate? It seems unusual, to say the least. If true, how come I didn't find it mentioned in the discussions here?

    bratsche
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  2. #2
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    Default Re: Question on Grover 309 tuning machines

    I have 309's on my Weber and mine do not work that way, they work like every other tuner I have tried.

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  4. #3
    Registered User Rolfe's Avatar
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    Default Re: Question on Grover 309 tuning machines

    Someone must have put them on backwards! They work normally like most other tuners.
    Rolfe Gerhardt

  5. #4
    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
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    Default Re: Question on Grover 309 tuning machines

    you may find tuners where the worm and round gear are cut in opposite ways .
    I have a set of Schallers , 1st set is backwards on my worm under F5.
    so I jumped on the set cut the other way ..

    But if the Schallers shafts are shuffled. you can do that with those,
    to a worm over configuration , then they turn the proper way ..

    just the requirements of tradition .. just like Gibson did on the famous one's ..
    is the worm over F tuner would be a builder making a non traditional headstock outline ..

    they're lovely .. gold plated , the buttons have real MOP faces, the Deluxe model.
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  6. #5
    Mandolin Botherer Shelagh Moore's Avatar
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    Default Re: Question on Grover 309 tuning machines

    Mine work as normal.

  7. #6
    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
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    Default Re: Question on Grover 309 tuning machines

    reversing, side to side, as I say, for worm over Vs worm under would also reverse the gear rotation .
    grovers don't come apare and let you swap around worm gear shafts .

    of course A types they're all the same length .
    writing about music
    is like dancing,
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  8. #7
    MandolaViola bratsche's Avatar
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    Default Re: Question on Grover 309 tuning machines

    Sorry for any confusion; I should have mentioned I would only be able to mount it worm over!

    Thanks!

    bratsche
    "There are two refuges from the miseries of life: music and cats." - Albert Schweitzer

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    Default Re: Question on Grover 309 tuning machines


  10. #9
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    Default Re: Question on Grover 309 tuning machines

    I like mine. Very solid and smooth operation. The shafts seem long when they are mounted close to the edge of the headstock.
    -Robert T. -

  11. #10
    Registered User Tom Haywood's Avatar
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    Default Re: Question on Grover 309 tuning machines

    What's going on with Grover 309s? I have bought these in the past and they worked great. I bought a set of gear over cog "F" tuners from Stew Mac 6 months ago. Installed them as replacements on a good mandolin. They turned backwards, i.e. the post turns opposite the shaft direction. I called Stew Mac and was told that there must be something wrong but they were not aware of any problem. Of course they questioned whether I installed them correctly. I ordered another set through the person I was talking with. Opened them today and ... they turn backwards. Any advice?
    Last edited by Tom Haywood; Apr-19-2017 at 8:47am.
    Tom

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  12. #11
    Registered User Tom Haywood's Avatar
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    Default Re: Question on Grover 309 tuning machines

    Coffee kicking in. The A style and F style gear-over-string-post are different. Stew Mac's description is accurate but tricky. They do not mention for the A style which turn direction tightens the string. Counter-clockwise tightens it on all that I've purchased. That's like a guitar and is what I consider normal and ergonomic. The F style gear-over-string-post works the other way and is stated in the description (could be clearer). Clockwise tightens the string. That is backwards to me. Like a banjo. Apparently there is no option with Grovers. Too bad. Guess I'll be purchasing something else in the future.
    Tom

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