Changing Tuners On A Gibson (From Grover to Kluson Style)

Duppy03

This is a Gibson Midtown that's had its original Grover tuners replaced with these Gotoh Locking ones, by the looks of it with no extra holes required.

If I was looking to change them to the Kluson white button style what would be the best way to go about it? Go for 3 per side? Or 3 on a Plate? Is there someone out there that can provide direct replacements with no extra holes necessary?

GluedtoMusic

Traditional Kluson style tuners have 2 screws per tuner, so you would need to drill the upper hole for each tuner.

Also the headstock will be drilled for 10mm modern collared tuners (to accept the screw in nut on the headstock side), whereas traditional Klusons will have smaller string posts with push in bushings, so you will either need to buy conversion bushings with the Klusons, or get a set with collared string posts.

ICBM

It's difficult to do what you want really correctly - the only ones that will fit properly are the Grover/Tone-Pros 'threaded collar Kluson type', but they're hard to find with white buttons, although they do exist.

You could use three-on-a-strip ones with conversion bushings, that would be a better solution than individual heads since they can't slip out of line. You may still see marks on the front of the headstock from the Gotoh collars though.

Duppy03

These look like they'll do it @ICBM @GluedtoMusic all be it with some additional holes required:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TonePros-TPKBW-C-CHROME-Kluson-Tuners-3x3-White-Button/273016999050?hash=item3f9114cc8a:g:sskAAOSwr7lbdFse

ICBM

Yes, those are the right ones. Quite hard to find now.

Duppy03

Can’t track down any in the U.K. unfortunately 

gavin_axecaster

TonePros and Kluson have parted ways. StewMac has been blowing out TonePros Kluson tuners for a while and TonePros no longer list tuners on their website.
https://www.stewmac.com/Closeouts/TonePros_Kluson_3_and_3_50s_Back_Tuners_with_White_Knobs_and_Press-fit_Bushings.html
EDIT>>Sorry, just clocked you want the model with the screw in bushes. Push in bushes with adapter bushings would be cheaper.

Duppy03

Ah bugger, so it looks like the ones I want are discontinued?

Would the screw in bushings be more stable than the push in converter ones?

This guitar has a Bigsby too, should that be influencing my choice of tuners?

ICBM

Duppy03 said:

Would the screw in bushings be more stable than the push in converter ones?

This guitar has a Bigsby too, should that be influencing my choice of tuners?

Yes to both, although there's not that much in it.

To be honest, none of them are that brilliant. If it has a Bigsby, keep the locking ones, or if you really don't like them, re-fit the original Grover Rotomatics... they are just better heads.

Duppy03

Okay thanks, maybe I could just look at changing the heads to Grover Kidney style ones, the tulip ones just look massive