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Hi: I am using a slotted head neck, steel string (Martin second) and need some advice re. tuning machines. I have tried some cheap classical one but don't work very well - tough to turn - has anyone used a Schaller 3-on-Plate machines and because the Martin neck is precut - will there be issues with the angle of the slots that I need to be aware of?

Bernie

I just got a set of the Golden Age tuners and in my humble opinion... They Suck... Don't wast your money and put the $80 toward something better.

When they arrived only one of the tuners worked half way smoothly. 3 of the 6 were so sticky you could hardly turn them. I was going to send them back but I figured a little oil would help. That didn't do a thing and then I figured they just needed to be broke in a bit so I spun them on my drill for a bit and still no deal. I removed the gears thinking it was binding on the shaft but after removing them I found it was the bails binding so I had to take pliers to them and completely adjust each one so they would turn easily.

They work OK now but I would never recommend them. Put your money toward some good ones.

Maybe others have had good luck with them but the set I got were about as good as the economy $10 ones.

Hi Bernie,

I don't have experience with the Schallers, but in general Schaller is a good name in tuners and you should be safe if you decide to go with those. Just be sure to have a look at the spec sheet on any tuners you are considering to make sure the hole sizes and locations match the neck you are working with. StewMac has spec sheets for all their products on their website.

Also wanted to say Hi, as you live in London. I'm just a little ways down the road in Goderich.

Josh

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grover tuners are fine I like them

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If you are going to use three on a plate tuners make sure you drill all the holes absolutely perfect. Use a jig or at least a drill press. I've used the Golden Age repo on both six and twelve string guitars - they look period correct, work OK (but not nearly as well as Grover, Gotohs or Waverly singles). They are somewhat stiff but seem to loosen up with some use. btw - classical tuners will not work at all - they have too large of rollers for the holes.

There are also some tricks to stringing a slothead - I like to start with the outer strings (E's) and work in - that way they don't get in your way (you'll really see this on a twelve string). Also, depending on which side of the hole in the post you wrap you can keep the string from rubbing the sides of the slot. Also, I like to precut the strings about 1" past the posts and just stick the end in the hole, that keeps from scratching the inside of the slots.

If the golden age tuners are true to the originals, then of course they suck. Most of the old tuners were not very good. There were exceptions, but the majority were simply made geared tuners that -were- an improvement over the friction pegs used on some instruments.
Grovers are nice tuners. (90% of the performance of expensive tuners for 30% of the cost)

I agree. The Golden Age do look period correct and that is what I was looking for, so theres that...

I just recently did some work on a Gibson J45 and the owner also wanted to change out the tuners so I suggested the Grover Vintage tuners and I was very impressed with how smooth they were. So impressed I bought a set for my J-40 to replace the originals. I was expecting something similar with the Golden Age but it wasn't so.

I have installed Waverly's as well and they are really nice although much more expensive.

I would recommend Grovers and if their Slot heads are as good as their paddle heads then they would be a good deal and work smoothly.

Cheers,
Bob

Too bad Waverly doesn't make a tin can 3 on a plate, not to mention 6 on a plate. All they have is the bronze for 6's, it's a little too shiny for me and the wrong color...
The Golden Age work well enough if you are building old time instruments. They tend to work better than the tuners they replace on old instruments. Too bad they replaced the "butter bean" color with fake ivoroid on the antique engraved sets too.
"Fake" ivoroid is just about the limit...

I agree about the Fake Ivoroid... It looks like a cheap imitation. What I did with mine was took a small bowl and stood the tuners in it and poured coffee just over the plastic buttons. About 2 hours of soaking and they now look old. A big improvement over that light cream color.

Cheers,
Bob

I just crack them off with a pliers and put on the butter beans.