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I am building a steel string guitar with a slotted headstock (a first for me). Looking for suggestions for tuners.

At the prices I charge, Waverlys make no sense. But I’m unwilling to go way on the other side with mystery Chinese tuners either. This is for a demo/test bed guitar, but they still have to be nice enough to put the guitar in prospects hands.

What do people here like, and where do you source them for the best deals?


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I've had good luck with the Rubner tuners for mandolins. Haven't had a chance to try them on a guitar. Great style, solid, and a decent price.
https://www.rubnertuners.com/hauser-style-for-guitar?category=Hauser%20Style

And I've just started using Schaller tuners. I a set for solid headstock that I'm about to install, and another for a slotted parlor that I am about to start building. In comparing these tuners to a set of Waverly's that a client insisted on using, I'd put my $ on the Schallers. The build quality and finish is much better and a very reasonable price. You can order directly from Schaller to get just the style you want.

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Tony Thatcher
Bozeman, Montana

+1 on the rubners. The bearing option is really nice.
B

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My memory is so good, sometimes I remember things that never happened.

You don't need three on a plate for a slot head - for a modern looking guitar I will use Waverlies or Gotohs. I use StewMac's when I want a vintage vib - just be very careful to align them and get the spacing perfect (I've built drilling jigs). They are not as smooth as Waverlies but they look correct on vintage style guitars.

Cool on the rubbers...


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I love the Rubners.

They start at around $80. Great value at that price point.

The Rubners seem interesting, but unless I’m missing something they are $130 for the least expensive and least adorned version for steel string. Not sure why they charge so much more for them as opposed to the classical version.


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I think you have the option of plastic or metal post when ordering.
Some starting at $79
https://www.rubnertuners.com/hauser-sty ... er%20Style

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My memory is so good, sometimes I remember things that never happened.

Yes, those are exactly the ones I mean. $130 for steel string guitars, but only $80 for nylon strings.


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Stew Mac has Schaller's for 50 bucks. That sounds a bit more reasonable for good quality tuners.

I am not sure what you are seeing.
I can find multiple sets for under $80 for steel string, in the drop down menu on roller selection.

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My memory is so good, sometimes I remember things that never happened.

Those are all with fat posts for nylon string. Only the final 6mm is meant for steel strings. If you pick that one you will see the price jump to $130. All though I can’t for the life of me see why.

Can you use a fat post designed for nylon strings with steel strings? I don’t know. I assume there is a reason you can’t or else why make the distinction. Perhaps others with direct experience can comment.


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We've had good luck with the StewMac Golden Age three-on-plate tuners, and the H97 3 + 3 Grover StaTites are quite good at that price point (~ $50), and can be easily retrofitted with wooden or plastic buttons if the butterbeans do not appeal.

3-on-plate tuners demand accuracy in drilling, so we use a jig for that job. Separate tuners such as the StaTites are not particularly picky on spacing, so may be a good bet if there might be some concern on producing accurate hole spacing without a jig.

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“Those are all with fat posts for nylon string. Only the final 6mm is meant for steel strings. If you pick that one you will see the price jump to $130. All though I can’t for the life of me see why.

Can you use a fat post designed for nylon strings with steel strings? I don’t know. I assume there is a reason you can’t or else why make the distinction. Perhaps others with direct experience can comment. “

Yeah, you need to search around the website a bit, but all the steel rollers are 6mm.
The price jump you see is for the optional bearing on the inboard end of the roller.
https://www.rubnertuners.com/new-page-3/

https://www.rubnertuners.com/data-dimensions/

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My memory is so good, sometimes I remember things that never happened.

Agree that the Rubner site is not very clear on options and costs. But their basic steel string guitar tuners are listed under the "Roller Style for Pricing" dropdown as "Slotted Head Steel" and "Solid Head Steel String". For $30 more than the StewMac Golden Age tuners, you are getting a much higher quality tuner. I used the Golden Age tuners once and was not impressed. Functional, but that's all I can say.

Here's some info on the more expensive Slotted Steel String option from Rubner listed as the Rubner Roll 6mm Steel. I really want to try these some time.
https://www.rubnertuners.com/new-page-3/

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Tony Thatcher
Bozeman, Montana

"Can you use a fat post designed for nylon strings with steel strings? I don’t know. I assume there is a reason you can’t or else why make the distinction. "

The "fat" posts reduce the number of turns you need to wind on a given length of string - a good thing for stretchy nylon strings. Since it winds on more string per turn it can make it more difficult to tune steel strings - not such a good thing. I've used them on one guitar that I made for either silk and steel or nylon stringing. They worked O.K. for low tension steel strings (high tension steel might eventually cut into the plastic rollers).

Boy that sure isn’t clear from the site! It didn’t make sense why they would be twice the cost. That tipped the scales for me and I think I’ll order them. Thanks!


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