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Thread: Kluson Supreme F Type Gold Mandolin tuners

  1. #1
    Registered User fflmike's Avatar
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    Default Kluson Supreme F Type Gold Mandolin tuners

    I have a Washburn "F" Style mandolin. The tuners are very tight and all of the plastic tuning heads are cracking. I was reading about the Kluson Supreme F Type Gold Mandolin tuners and was wondering if that is the direction I want to go since I am replacing mine anyway. The gear ration is 18:1 and I was thinking it might be easier to tune and may stay tuned better. Thanks for any input.

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    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Kluson Supreme F Type Gold Mandolin tuners

    Post a picture of the tuners. To be honest, Kluson reproductions would probably be my last choice. They were a strange internal design to begin with. Are your tuners worm over or worm under?
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    "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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    Registered User fflmike's Avatar
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    Default Re: Kluson Supreme F Type Gold Mandolin tuners

    The tuner on mine just appear to be cheaply made. Almost all of the plastics are cracked and the stem covers are just cheap. They are hard to adjust and do not stay tuned. My Epiphone A style has better tuners. I ordered those tuner and it might end up being a mistake. They get great review some places and not so good some other places. if it is not what I expect, I can go back or change them again, LOL

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    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Kluson Supreme F Type Gold Mandolin tuners

    The most important thing other than the post spacing is the orientation of the gear, worm over or worm under. They aren't interchangeable in most cases. Paul Hostetter had some all telling images on this page.
    "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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    Registered User sunburst's Avatar
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    Default Re: Kluson Supreme F Type Gold Mandolin tuners

    The new Klusons are not the same gears as the old ones. I bought a set and put them on this mandolin.
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    Truth is, I don't think I would like the look on an F5 peghead, but I think they 'fit' pretty well here, especially considering the peghead inlay.
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    They are very smooth and they work just fine. Personally I am not a fan of 18:1 gearing (takes forever to get in tune!), but that's just me.

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    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Kluson Supreme F Type Gold Mandolin tuners

    Wait, the internal construction isn't the same?
    "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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    Registered User sunburst's Avatar
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    Default Re: Kluson Supreme F Type Gold Mandolin tuners

    I don't know what is inside of them, but I bought them from the rep at the ASIA symposium who assured me that the gears are an upgrade from those in the old Klusons. Whatever is under those 'funky' covers, they are as smooth as any mandolin tuner I've used, and considering how many turns it takes to string them up, smooth is good!

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    Registered User fflmike's Avatar
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    Default Re: Kluson Supreme F Type Gold Mandolin tuners

    That is good info, since I already ordered them. Thanks

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    Registered User fflmike's Avatar
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    Default Re: Kluson Supreme F Type Gold Mandolin tuners

    All of the measurements are the same as mine. I hope I like them. Probably be just fine. I ordered the Gold with the Black tuning keys. Should look pretty good also.

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    Registered User fflmike's Avatar
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    Default Re: Kluson Supreme F Type Gold Mandolin tuners

    These are the ones I have coming.
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  11. #11
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Kluson Supreme F Type Gold Mandolin tuners

    Hopefully your current tuners are worm over.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

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

  12. #12
    Registered User fflmike's Avatar
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    Default Re: Kluson Supreme F Type Gold Mandolin tuners

    Yes they are. Thanks

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    Registered User fflmike's Avatar
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    Default Re: Kluson Supreme F Type Gold Mandolin tuners

    The new ones will be here today, but just in case they will not work, I cleaned and lubed the old ones while I have them off. I'd have to replace the knobs, but I think they are alright. I am looking forward to the 18:1 gear ration for more precise tuning though. We'll see, LOL

  14. #14
    Registered User fflmike's Avatar
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    Default Re: Kluson Supreme F Type Gold Mandolin tuners

    Well, they would not fit without re-drilling everything, so I put the originals back on. Got to find some new knobs though.

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    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Kluson Supreme F Type Gold Mandolin tuners

    Quote Originally Posted by fflmike View Post
    Well, they would not fit without re-drilling everything, so I put the originals back on. Got to find some new knobs though.
    The posts spacing wasn't standard? Can you post a picture of the old tuners?
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

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

  16. #16
    Registered User fflmike's Avatar
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    Default Re: Kluson Supreme F Type Gold Mandolin tuners

    The post spacing was correct, but the Klusons required larger holes for the bushings and the posts would not go through my old bushings. Didn't really want to screw up the mandolin.
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    Know where I can find new knobs for these?

  17. #17
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Kluson Supreme F Type Gold Mandolin tuners

    Is there a screw in that button to hold it on? Those look like a set that I took off a Korean mandola I have.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

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

  18. #18
    Registered User fflmike's Avatar
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    Default Re: Kluson Supreme F Type Gold Mandolin tuners

    Yes there is. I was hoping to find black ones.

  19. #19
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Kluson Supreme F Type Gold Mandolin tuners

    Quote Originally Posted by fflmike View Post
    Yes there is. I was hoping to find black ones.
    Like these?

    If yours are the same as mine you're going to find out the bushings are plastic.

    When you pull a button off the tuners is there a sleeve over the actual button post?
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    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

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

  20. #20
    Registered User fflmike's Avatar
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    Default Re: Kluson Supreme F Type Gold Mandolin tuners

    Tese have a brass sleeve around the post that rests against the bottom of the button. The screw goes thru the button and screws into the post. The post has two flat sides.

  21. #21
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Kluson Supreme F Type Gold Mandolin tuners

    Quote Originally Posted by fflmike View Post
    Tese have a brass sleeve around the post that rests against the bottom of the button. The screw goes thru the button and screws into the post. The post has two flat sides.
    Yup, that's these. Do you have a set of calipers that you could measure the flats and rounds on the button post?
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

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

  22. #22
    Registered User fflmike's Avatar
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    Default Re: Kluson Supreme F Type Gold Mandolin tuners

    .116 and .137 approximately

  23. #23
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Kluson Supreme F Type Gold Mandolin tuners

    When I get home tonight I'll see if these are that same size, I suspect they are.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

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

  24. #24
    Registered User fflmike's Avatar
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    Default Re: Kluson Supreme F Type Gold Mandolin tuners

    I found a package of 12 new mandolin take-off buttons on ebay for $15. I am pretty sure they are the same. We'll see. Thanks for your help.

  25. #25
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Kluson Supreme F Type Gold Mandolin tuners

    Good luck.
    "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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