Re: How is Tuning Drift with Rubner Tuning Machines
The reason stringed instruments (generally) come with adjustable tuners, is that tuning needs adjustment, more or less frequently. Temperature and humidity changes affect string pitches; newer strings stretch for a while after being put on, and require retuning until stable. Pickers with more "heavy hands" can push strings out of tune. Strings can "hang up" in too-tight nut or bridge slots, then slip through when strummed, changing pitch and needing readjustment.
Possibly a tuner not properly tightened can be "pulled around" by string tension, letting the string go flat when vigorously picked. And there are poorly made cheap tuners where gears don't properly mesh, proper adjustment is difficult, and strings go out of tune when you try to play them. I wouldn't put Grovers in that category.
When I worked selling stringed instruments with Eldon Stutzman back in the '70's, one of the most frequent questions novice buyers would ask about an instrument is "Will it stay in tune?" Eldon always answered "No." Consistent tuning "drift" (sharp or flat?) -- I wouldn't attribute it to tuners. Some say the excessive string wraps around the tuner posts may create instability -- differences in tension between the wrapped string and the string from nut to bridge -- but that seems far-fetched to me.
Allen Hopkins
Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
Natl Triolian Dobro mando
Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
H-O mandolinetto
Stradolin Vega banjolin
Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
Flatiron 3K OM
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