F5 peghead tuner holes a la Siminoff.

[mikeyb2]

Hi folks, just got round to marking out the centres for the tuner holes, and referenced the Siminoff book. The tuners I have are the winder above post type, and so the the book on diagram 18 it shows the layout for the tuner holes, if using this type of tuner, whereas the rest of the book focuses on the other type of tuners.
In measuring the diagram, so I could transfer the dimensions over to the peghead, I discovered that the tuner post centre markings are not symmetrical to the centreline of the peghead. They seem to follow the outside shape of the peghead, which is of course asymmetrical. This layout looks a little odd to me.
Bearing in mind I've read about errors in the Siminoff book, is this one of them?
I'd appreciate your thoughts, thanks.
Mike

[MikeEdgerton]

The late Paul Hostetter's site has some interesting images of worm over vs worm under tuners on a Gibson F style headstock. It might give you a little information.

http://www.lutherie.net/mandolin.gear.direction.html

[mikeyb2]

Thanks Mike, I've looked at the link and it is interesting and informative. It doesn't address my question , although it has given me the idea of just adapting the hole positions to suit my tuners. One thing I have noticed is that the very end of the tuning plate just goes into the curve around the nut area of the peghead. I think a little sanding might do the trick, to extend the flat part of the peghead rear. Hope this makes sense.

[rcc56]

. . . the idea of just adapting the hole positions to suit my tuners.

And that's the best and most practical answer to your question.

[MikeEdgerton]

Thanks Mike, I've looked at the link and it is interesting and informative. It doesn't address my question , although it has given me the idea of just adapting the hole positions to suit my tuners. One thing I have noticed is that the very end of the tuning plate just goes into the curve around the nut area of the peghead. I think a little sanding might do the trick, to extend the flat part of the peghead rear. Hope this makes sense.

As Bob mentioned, just adapting the hole positions to suit your tuners is probably the best answer.

[j. condino]

Properly aligning the tuning machine holes is one of the most critical parts of any mandolin build; even people with very nice workshops and decades of experience still struggle with it. One of the best moves every beginner can make is to spend the $40 and get the Stew Mac tuner hole alingment and drilling jig. 'Problem solved, exceptional accuracy for a surprisingly modest price heirloom tool.

https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-tool...drill-jig.html