Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 25 of 33

Thread: Mother of Pearl buttons for Gotoh tuners

  1. #1
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Howell, NJ
    Posts
    26,875

    Default Mother of Pearl buttons for Gotoh tuners

    NFI. The price is a little cheaper than I've seen.These are for the newer models with the elongated hole as opposed to the older tuners with the square hole.

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/SET-OF-8-MAN...:X:RTQ:US:1123
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

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

  2. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to MikeEdgerton For This Useful Post:


  3. #2
    wood butcher Spruce's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Orcas Island, Washington
    Posts
    6,172

    Default Re: Mother of Pearl buttons for Gotoh tuners

    Just bought a set...
    Thanks!

  4. The following members say thank you to Spruce for this post:


  5. #3
    Registered User sblock's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Redwood City, CA
    Posts
    2,335

    Default Re: Mother of Pearl buttons for Gotoh tuners

    One of the problems with mother-of-pearl buttons on Waverlys (or Gotohs or others) is that the material (nacre) is comparatively brittle compared to, say, plastic or wood. As a result, the button may not fit very snugly on the tuner button shaft, and this will lead to a bit of wiggling. It's a BAD IDEA to try to eliminate this wiggle by simply tightening the button screw, which can lead to shattering the button if over-tightened, and may not eliminate all the wiggle, in any case. A better idea, for loose MoP buttons, is to first wrap the tuner button shaft once or twice around with some thin, teflon plumber's tape before sliding the button over the shaft. This trick will eliminate the wiggle, and no glue or filler is required. Plus, it's easily removed, and you can trim off any excess that sticks out, making the repair invisible.

  6. The Following 7 Users Say Thank You to sblock For This Useful Post:


  7. #4

    Default Re: Mother of Pearl buttons for Gotoh tuners

    Mike mentioned these fit the newer style Gotohs. Are the ones on Pava A's the newer style?

  8. #5
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Howell, NJ
    Posts
    26,875

    Default Re: Mother of Pearl buttons for Gotoh tuners

    They would have to be new style, they haven't made the square post models in many years.

    Paul Hostetter has some pictures on his site. Just scroll down a bit.

    http://www.lutherie.net/gotoh.compared.html
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

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

  9. The following members say thank you to MikeEdgerton for this post:

    Spruce 

  10. #6
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Howell, NJ
    Posts
    26,875

    Default Re: Mother of Pearl buttons for Gotoh tuners

    I just bought a set as well. Couple my buttons with my slotted screws for my Gotoh's and they'll be going on my mandola.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

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

  11. #7

    Default Re: Mother of Pearl buttons for Gotoh tuners

    Thanks Mike.

  12. #8
    Kelley Mandolins Skip Kelley's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Ohio
    Posts
    3,320

    Default Re: Mother of Pearl buttons for Gotoh tuners

    One of the pictures makes it look like the hole is square. I'd like to get a set if they fit the new Gotoh tuners.

  13. #9
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Howell, NJ
    Posts
    26,875

    Default Re: Mother of Pearl buttons for Gotoh tuners

    The pictures look like the holes are oval. From the auction:

    These are brand new never used. They have the rectangular center hole with rounded outer holes for your screw and tuner shaft. Each measures approximately 13.21mm/.52"(top to bottom) x 7.24mm/.285"(thick) and 12.96mm/.510 (from one side of the hole to the other). This is your chance tosave big-time from a USA seller. Don't miss out!!
    Mine should be here in a day or two. When I have them I'll report back. From the description I think they will only fit the new models.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

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

  14. The following members say thank you to MikeEdgerton for this post:


  15. #10

    Default Re: Mother of Pearl buttons for Gotoh tuners

    So how does one go about replacing a tuner-button? Can a loose one be tightened?

  16. #11
    Registered User sblock's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Redwood City, CA
    Posts
    2,335

    Default Re: Mother of Pearl buttons for Gotoh tuners

    Quote Originally Posted by Eddie Sheehy View Post
    So how does one go about replacing a tuner-button? Can a loose one be tightened?
    The depends on the brand!

    Tuners like Waverly and Gotoh (which we've been discussing here, also most Grover, Rubner, Alessi, etc.) have removable buttons, and use small screws to attach the buttons to the tuner knob posts. You simply remove the screw and slide the button off the post. It may take some gentle coaxing by hand with a pair of pliers (protected with a caul or wrap). Replacement buttons are often available, but be sure that these match the shaft type before using them. Some tuner knob shafts are square, some are round with two flats ("rectangular"), etc.

    Other tuners, like Schaller, some Golden Age, Elite, some vintage, and many PacRim versions have non-removable buttons. These are generally glued on, or press-fit. You can sometimes get them off by heating the tuner knob post and applying a steady pressure with pliers (again, protected with a caul or wrap). It's a good idea to remove the machines from the mandolin first before doing this. But unless they come off easily, you might have to break them. I would not consider replacing these types of buttons for purely aesthetic reasons -- you're better off just buying a different set, with the button you prefer. But you can repair a single broken button this way.

    Finally, if the button is loose and removable (i.e., it wiggles on the shaft), you can try turning the screw to tighten it, but don't overtighten. You can also shim the button to fit tighter on its shaft using teflon plumber's tape. See my earlier post in this thread about that. If the button is non-removable, you will need to glue it on again. But first be sure it's the button that's the cuplrit, and not just looseness (hysteresis) in the tuner button shaft itself.

  17. #12
    wood butcher Spruce's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Orcas Island, Washington
    Posts
    6,172

    Default Re: Mother of Pearl buttons for Gotoh tuners

    Quote Originally Posted by MikeEdgerton View Post
    They would have to be new style, they haven't made the square post models in many years.

    Paul Hostetter has some pictures on his site. Just scroll down a bit.

    http://www.lutherie.net/gotoh.compared.html
    Thanks for that, but still having problems figuring out whether these MOP buttons are gonna work on my tuners...?
    (I'll know for sure when they get here)...

    Here's some pics of my tuners:








  18. #13

    Default Re: Mother of Pearl buttons for Gotoh tuners

    I'm sorry to say this Spruce but I don't see them matching these new buttons. I hope I'm wrong but comparing the holes of the new ones with yours above, I don't see a match.

    Len B.
    Clearwater, FL

  19. #14
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Howell, NJ
    Posts
    26,875

    Default Re: Mother of Pearl buttons for Gotoh tuners

    I think they are going to fit that. That's why I bought them. On the other hand, if they are square posts you have a really cheap set of pearl buttons that should fit Waverly tuners. I think that's an elongated hole.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version. 

Name:	PearlButtons.jpg 
Views:	214 
Size:	60.6 KB 
ID:	149987  
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

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

  20. #15
    wood butcher Spruce's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Orcas Island, Washington
    Posts
    6,172

    Default Re: Mother of Pearl buttons for Gotoh tuners

    Quote Originally Posted by lenf12 View Post
    I'm sorry to say this Spruce but I don't see them matching these new buttons. I hope I'm wrong but comparing the holes of the new ones with yours above, I don't see a match.
    Hard to tell if it's square or rectangular??


    Quote Originally Posted by MikeEdgerton View Post
    I think they are going to fit that.
    I think so too...
    We'll see...

  21. #16
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Howell, NJ
    Posts
    26,875

    Default Re: Mother of Pearl buttons for Gotoh tuners

    I have a set of square post A style Gotoh's if they don't or I'll sit with a small jewelers file and make them fit I guess. I think they're going too work.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version. 

Name:	GotohSlot.jpg 
Views:	190 
Size:	93.9 KB 
ID:	149998  
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

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

  22. #17
    Registered User Ivan Kelsall's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Manchester - Lancashire - NW England
    Posts
    14,187

    Default Re: Mother of Pearl buttons for Gotoh tuners

    Just as an aside to the general thread - i have Gotoh tuners on my Ellis. It's 6 years old,so would they be the newer or older version of the Gotohs' ?. I was going to buy some black tuner buttons for them,but they were a tad on the expensive side,plus, i couldn't remove the existing ones from the tuner posts,
    Ivan
    Weber F-5 'Fern'.
    Lebeda F-5 "Special".
    Stelling Bellflower BANJO
    Tokai - 'Tele-alike'.
    Ellis DeLuxe "A" style.

  23. #18
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Howell, NJ
    Posts
    26,875

    Default Re: Mother of Pearl buttons for Gotoh tuners

    You really need to pull a button. Paul has some descriptions on his page linked above of the rivets (you'd have to remove a tuner) on the backs and the differences but I've seen some cross over on that as well.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

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

  24. #19
    wood butcher Spruce's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Orcas Island, Washington
    Posts
    6,172

    Default Re: Mother of Pearl buttons for Gotoh tuners

    Quote Originally Posted by lenf12 View Post
    I'm sorry to say this Spruce but I don't see them matching these new buttons. I hope I'm wrong but comparing the holes of the new ones with yours above, I don't see a match.
    And you would be correct--they do not fit...

    This, from the auction:

    "You are bidding on ONE ST OF 8 MANDOLIN SOLID MOTHER OF PEARL TUNER KNOB FOR GOTOH TUNERS. These are brand new never used. They have the rectangular center hole with rounded outer holes for your screw and tuner shaft."

    OK, they do not have "the rectangular center hole", but instead have the square hole...
    ...and I'm not in the mood to ream them out...

    Has anyone had any experience with these?
    They look to be correct for the Gotohs with rectangular center holes...?

  25. #20
    Registered User Drew Egerton's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Statesville, NC
    Posts
    1,184

    Default Re: Mother of Pearl buttons for Gotoh tuners

    Sorry to hear that for you Spruce...thanks for reporting back though.
    I have been contemplating these since the thread started. Still a little bit undecided if I like the look better or not though so haven't pulled the trigger.

    Still flirting with the idea of getting Waverlys...geez they're high though...
    Drew
    2020 Northfield 4th Gen F5
    2022 Northfield NFS-F5E
    2019 Northfield Flat Top Octave
    2021 Gold Tone Mando Cello
    https://www.instagram.com/pilotdrew85

  26. #21
    wood butcher Spruce's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Orcas Island, Washington
    Posts
    6,172

    Default Re: Mother of Pearl buttons for Gotoh tuners

    Quote Originally Posted by Drew Egerton View Post
    Still a little bit undecided if I like the look better or not...
    They were well-made and had a good feel about them....
    I think I'll order the set from China on E&^y, and see if they'll work...

    Are there other options that anyone knows about??

  27. #22
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Howell, NJ
    Posts
    26,875

    Default Re: Mother of Pearl buttons for Gotoh tuners

    I'm not getting this, are they rectangular or square?

    OK, I get it. They are square.
    Last edited by MikeEdgerton; Sep-30-2016 at 9:09pm.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

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

  28. #23
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Howell, NJ
    Posts
    26,875

    Default Re: Mother of Pearl buttons for Gotoh tuners

    Quote Originally Posted by Spruce View Post
    Has anyone had any experience with these?
    They look to be correct for the Gotohs with rectangular center holes...?
    Not yet but maybe soon. What I really want is the set of tuners those are on. If mine are the same when they arrive and I assume they will be I'll be contacting the seller about returning them.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

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

  29. #24

    Default Re: Mother of Pearl buttons for Gotoh tuners

    I pulled a button off my set of Gotohs (on my F-12 for approx. 15 years) and I apologize for my poor photo skills. The center hole is square. Sorry they didn't work out for you Spruce.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	MOP Buttons 003.JPG 
Views:	192 
Size:	158.8 KB 
ID:	150038

    Len B.
    Clearwater, FL

  30. #25
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Howell, NJ
    Posts
    26,875

    Default Re: Mother of Pearl buttons for Gotoh tuners

    When I get mine I'll see if they actually fit the Gotoh square tuners.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

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

  31. The following members say thank you to MikeEdgerton for this post:

    Spruce 

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •