Tuning Machines

Posted by Habanera Hal on March 22, 2011 at 10:21pm

As I get further into this hobby, the more confused I am getting regarding tuning machines.  For my first build, I picked up half a "set" of used tuners - 3 on a metal plate.  For my second build, I got a new set of "classical" tuners (again 3 on a plate each) as I was doing a slotted neck.  I had no problems (that I knew of) with each of these.  However, I have now gotten a couple of sets of individual tuners and I am at a loss about what goes where.  One set has three "right" and three "left".  The other has all six that are the same (I believe they are the Chinese "ping" units) that are marked on the back L1, L2, L2, L4, L4, L5.  They all look alike to me.

 

So what goes where?  I want to use the ping units on my current 3 string build, with 2 on one side and 1 on the other side of the headstock.  Can I do that or do I have to put all three on the same side, and if so, which one?  Is "Left" looking at the headstock from the front or the back of the neck?

 

Ignorance was bliss.

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Replies

  • Wichita Sam March 23, 2011 at 10:37am
    Thanks for mentioning that Michael.... I do a lot of 3 and 4 "fender style" headstocks and the economy tuners usually come in 3+3 sets.  But remove the screw, pull the post and gear and flip the stem and reassemble and you have usable tuners...

    MichaelS Country Boy Guitars said:
    The cheap open back tuners Sam mentioned  are nice because you can pull them apart and reverse the action so you can put them on either side and not have a slipping situation.
  • MichaelS Country Boy Guitars March 23, 2011 at 9:02am
    The cheap open back tuners Sam mentioned  are nice because you can pull them apart and reverse the action so you can put them on either side and not have a slipping situation.
  • Habanera Hal March 23, 2011 at 8:13am

    Helps a lot, thanks, Sam!  I actually think I had it figured out, but the "L2", L3", etc. had me wondering.  I'll save the pings for a couple of 3-on-a-side builds and use the others for this 2+1 neck.

     

    Thanks again.

     

  • Wichita Sam March 22, 2011 at 10:53pm

    Hal,

     

    Those pings (closed backs?) sound like six in line... as in a fender type headstock set up....  As such, they are designed to be installed on the "left" or top of a right-handed guitar....  You can install them on the right to achieve a 2+1 arrangement for a three stringer, but it isn't idea.... besides being funky looking (the tuner on the bottom of the headstock will have the "button" closer to the nut than the post/not the usual orientation), but it will be susceptible to slipping under tension since the string tension will try to torque the post away from the gear.  While this is not as problematic in a closed "ping" set, it can really become a problem on open back, economy tuners.....

     

    hope this helps,

    the best,

     

    Wichita Sam

     

     

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