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I'm making some classical guitars for my daughters, and there is a budget for the tuning machines.

I've looked at the usual suppliers for their offerings, and one of my girls decided that she wanted something different from the Gotohs and Rubners that were available in the price range of about $30-35.

So she did a look on ebay and found these Rubner knock-offs.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Mf ... 0304155231

I know that we get what we pay for and its only $30 ($20 + $10 shipping) all told so its low risk, and they are a replaceable part of the guitar.

Anyone have any experience with this sort of tuning machine or something similar? I'm not expecting amazing, but would prefer to avoid buying crap.

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Expectation is the source of all misery; comparison the thief of joy.
http://redrivercanoe.ca/

they look no worse than the Budget mando tuners that Stewmac sell. I've used a lot of them and never had any problems

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My soundclick xx luthier blog xx luthier soundclick

Removable simulation Ivory handles.
That's not a bad start !
It will be a trill for her to tell everyone that "she" picked out the tuners.

Go for it!!
They maybe very good tuners!!

Let us know how there are -please.

Mike

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Mike Collins

Douglas my friend the only concern that I would add here is that If taking this risk be sure that the hole patterns will work with an off-the-shelf tuner that you could replace these with at a later date if desired or necessary.

I also think that it's cool that your daughter picked them out.

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Ann Arbor Guitars

Hesh makes a good point--but if your roller holes are of standard spacing then you have almost nothing to lose. When I built my very first guitar more than fifteen years ago, I bought tuners of the same price range simply because I didn't know any better. They have worked very well, and are fairly handsome on the instrument. And think of it this way: When you and your daughter are both older, you can build her a much higher-end instrument with top-of-the-line tuners. If you do, my guess is that she will still treasure this first guitar just as much as that future guitar. Go for it, and let us know how it goes.
Patrick

Hey Doug

I bought a set a couple of years ago, just out of curiosity.

When they arrived, first inspection showed that the rollers where kinda wobbly. I had an experiental guitar I was dabbling with and decided to install them on it, just for fun.

Well, it turns out that they were working really well, I mean, even smoother than some high class tuners I have tried (names and addresses withheld...) . As a matter of fact, each time a client would show up at the shop and grab that guitar, they would say: "Hey, those tuners are really nice!". I got a few blank looks when I would tell them they are selling for $20 on EBay. It just goes to show...

When someone asks me for a recommendation for "cheap but good" tuners, those are the ones I mention.

Cheers

Pat

Thanks everybody!

Looks like I can order them and expect that they will be good enough for the money. $30 isn't the end of the world, its an easy gamble. I just prefer not to buy junk.

Hesh, one nice thing about classical tuners is that they are pretty much standard for the barrels and spacings. 10mm barrrels and 35mm spacing. These tuners, as cheap as they are, have a tech diagram on the website. You can spend $150-$500 on tuners and they'll still fit I won't be putting Allesis's, Rodger's, or Graf's on this guitar, but I could!

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Expectation is the source of all misery; comparison the thief of joy.
http://redrivercanoe.ca/

I've had personal contact with this seller before. They are indeed very smooth/creamy to turn, albeit a little bit wobble w/o strings like Pat mentioned. The ivoroid buttons are actually prettier than sloane's.

My fairly expensive classical tuners are crummy. I have some cheap ones that work better.

As far as the loose/wobbly condition without strings, that is inherent in some designs, and for those it is not a problem.

wait a minute, these are from Sam in Taiwan!!

EXCELLENT service. I've bought a bunch of stuff from him, and he's great!!

I wouldn't but a complete instrument, but the parts are all good!

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My soundclick xx luthier blog xx luthier soundclick

I bought a couple sets from Sam when I was first starting out and on a budget. I like them better than Schallers, and they are just as good as the similarly priced Gotohs (which have wobbly posts, as well). Not a thing wrong with them for the price, and the service was really fast, especially given his location. I also bought a good supply of bone from him at a fraction of what the stateside vendors sell it for.

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Ken Whisler, guitarist and luthier

Well, OK! I feel pretty safe about spending the money now. I'll probably get a few sets, seeing as I'm building three guitars from the Torres SE117 plans, one for each daughter, and one for myself. I'll save the expensive tuners for other instruments.

Reminds me that when I ordered my "premium" Gotoh tuners for $165, they weren't "better" than the Gotoh's that I bought for $65! Fancier, yes, but better? No.

BTW, this particular vendor has quite a nice selection.

Thanks everybody.

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Expectation is the source of all misery; comparison the thief of joy.
http://redrivercanoe.ca/

Doug;
were they listed as 35mm on center between rollers??
If so if you or your daughter ever want to replace them that's the so to speak normal roller to roller measurement.
There are tuners out there that are up to 39mm between rollers.
Which is no problem as long as you know this before hand !

Mike

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Mike Collins

Mike,

Here is the tech drawing that is on the ebay page. I've already considered the potential upgrade situation. Thanks for the concern!

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Expectation is the source of all misery; comparison the thief of joy.
http://redrivercanoe.ca/

I play it safe and dissasemble the tuners and use the plates as a I guide for drilling holes...sometimes theyre a fraction off 35mm.

I used to do that, but it didn't seem to be much of an issue to pre-drill and drop in the lat few sets.

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Expectation is the source of all misery; comparison the thief of joy.
http://redrivercanoe.ca/

I use a Gilbert jig, I just test fit any tuners I get into that.

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Ken Whisler, guitarist and luthier

They look like Van Gent tuners from Holland!
Nothing wrong with those !
mike

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Mike Collins