Post by blues90 on Apr 2, 2023 12:03:23 GMT -5
I ordered these open gear tuning keys which are Golden Gate. They have 2 one is a direct copy of Grover 18-1 sta_tite (97-18 series) with the metal butter bean metal buttons , the other are 16-1 with oval white buttons.
The only reason are the stock white oval closed back Kluson copies found on many old Gibson and Epiphone have tight spots like they bind and feel like they will break and they were $24 compared to $58 and I wanted the white oval knobs which actually are held on by a screw instead of pressed on and will have the same look as what it has now. These keys look very much like A&L uses on their road house parlor same as Seagull now uses . My 2004 Seagull Grand has sealed tuners and metal oval buttons now Seagull uses chrome plated plastic buttons on their artist series.mine are all metal.
Plus they should fit the existing screw holes and hid any marks from the old ones. I also need to address some high and low frets so I need to find my home made leveling file or make a home made on that uses sand paper. I has a few frets that buzz maybe 10 or more. then hope the truss rod can adjust the neck level I know it turns but it felt real tight last time I removed some relief , I hope working is a bit frees it up more. I like the sound of this guitar and bought three before I got one that at least didn't have loose frets and one have the nut slots cut to low. Last one I got from Reverb same site I bought these new tuning keys and my Ibanez AC340. At least some sellers on Reverb actually check how the guitar plays and address what they came because the one I have now didn't buzz and I could see they at least leveled the higher fret , didn't re-crown but at least it was buzz free until over a year later then it changed.
It's just something to do and make this cheap guitar better. I already installed strap buttons and a new bone saddle because the original was a loose fit got a blank from Bob Colosi with the top already cut to a 16" radius just had to file the intonation in and the action. Of the three none were perfect this was the best playing but it has the bridge pin holes on a bit of an angle the others didn't but I did change them out for Gragh Tech pins I had so at least it's better than the stock plastic junk like my newer better RK had. Since I have a reamer now maybe I can fix that of just use a set of all Black pins instead of the higher price white with a nice pearl Dot. Black pins blend in better so the angel will not show . At least they are even looking down from the top and it's just the 3 on the lower strings that are tilted to the treble side. It's not a big deal. I don't expect perfection on such a low cost guitar. As long as it plays with now fret buzz I'm happy.
