Tuner Keys

Posted by Rickyboy on April 26, 2016 at 9:35pm

Hii there folks..... I've put a similar post on the forum "Cigar Box Guitar How-to Knowledge base"  but thought more is better and decided to post my problem here. Even though the people here are suppose to be "new" to CBG building but it doesn't mean someone here can't help. ...........

So here's my issue......I'm working with 1.5" Oak and went to try and see how the tuners fit in my head stock, that I just got from CB Gitty.   ..... and they don't !!  They seem to be too short ! They are the sealed tuners that come with the hardware that screws into the main stem of the tuner.   ......still with me ??? Is there a fix to this ??? Are there different lengths on different tuners?? What to do now ???? Sand down the head stock till the two pieces reach each other and can screw in??? Seems to me that, that would be a lot of sanding.   Any help is appreciated ..... and thx. in advance.

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Replies

  • Fomhorach April 27, 2016 at 8:34pm

    I use a rasp to bring it to almost right,then a file to get it really close then a quick scrub with fine and finer sandpaper (just so the finish is better).. I don't do inches but most closed modern tuners 'work' with 10mm - 15mm

    • Rickyboy > Fomhorach April 27, 2016 at 10:18pm

      Thanks for the reply.....I got it !!! I sanded the head down ...and now it's all good.

    • Fomhorach > Fomhorach April 27, 2016 at 8:40pm

      If I can't thin it, I will use open tuners that have the pop in type of grommet. These can go up to a thickness of 22mm (I think, but not sure)

  • jonnythumper April 27, 2016 at 5:18pm
    Yup - bandsaw to reduce thickness...I have also used my Dremel with a sanding drum to scallop out material around the holes through which the tuners stick out. Looks pretty good, IMO
    • Rickyboy > jonnythumper April 27, 2016 at 10:18pm

      Thanks for the reply.....I got it !!! I sanded the head down ...and now it's all good.

  • John Sawyer April 27, 2016 at 12:52am

    You shouldn't need to go 1/4".  My target thickness for Gitty tuners (which are a standard length) is .6"  1/8" should be enough clearance if I remember right.

    • Rickyboy > John Sawyer April 27, 2016 at 12:31pm

      Thx John.... you prob. saw that I goofed when I said the head was 1.5" thick. It's only 3/4" thick and 2 out of the 3 were able to be installed. It was a fight but I got them in,......so I can't be too far off. I'll sand it down and all will be good.

      Thx again

  • Jon Clemence April 26, 2016 at 10:24pm

    Use a jigsaw, band saw, or whatever kind of saw you have to take about a quarter inch off the thickness of the headstock. I put a tuner up to the headstock and eyeball how much to remove. Then I draw a nice straight line along the edge for a guide and pray that I can folow it! Not sure how you are constructing your neck but I remove the material from the bottom just because it looks nicer on my necks (I use scarf joints).

    • Rickyboy > Jon Clemence April 26, 2016 at 10:35pm

       Thanks for everyone's reply ........ I also do scarf joints and the head stock is already on the neck, sanded and ready for stain.  I can't see how I'm going to be able to get the head cut now !!!  Are all tuners the same length then? I might be in deep S@#T now....

    • Rickyboy > Rickyboy April 26, 2016 at 11:03pm

      well this is embarrassing  !!!!   The head stock isn't 1.5 " thick like I said...{idiot}   It's 3/4" .... I have 2 out of the 3 tuners installed but the 3rd one is killing me. It will not hook up with the other piece. Maybe a sander might get the head down to where it'll fit. Next time will be different.

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