Tuning Machines

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Tuning Machines

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Paul Bruhns

Posts: 77
Joined: Jul. 14 2003

Tuning Machines

Hi All:

I broke a tuning machine on my 1998 Jose Lopez Bellido Flamenco Negra. Its a good guitar, so I want to replace the tuning machines with a quality set. I have looked at Rodgers, Fustero, and a couple of others on the net. The Rodgers look great, and there's an oder form to get them directly from the web, But they are PRICEY! I have found a guy who sells Fusteros here in the USA, and his prices are about $180.00 USD a set, or about half the price of the Rodgers. It also looks like I can go lower, and get a set of Gotohs or Shallers for about $50.00 USD.

Does anyone have any experience or opinions on any of these? Its a good guitar, as I've said, and I could justify putting a good set of tuners on it. But, I can't see spending money for a name only or for prestige. Quality and value are what I'm looking for.

Thanks,
Paul

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 4 2003 2:35:01

eslastra

Posts: 134
Joined: Jul. 12 2003
From: Livermore, CA USA

RE: Tuning Machines (in reply to Paul Bruhns)

Paul,

I don't think you can really go wrong with the Fustero tuners. Most guitars I've owned have these. Stiff mechanisms, but no problems otherwise. I've had a guitar with Rodgers tuners and they were excellent, the best looking and smoothest turning mechanisms I've ever felt, but they are very expensive indeed. I believe they are handmade. DeVoe currently uses Sloane tuners with ebony knobs, very nice looking and excellent mechanisms. Pricewise, I think they may be in between the Rodgers and the Fusteros. Good luck with your search.

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Eddie Lastra

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 4 2003 4:58:36

gerundino63

Posts: 1743
Joined: Jul. 11 2003
From: The Netherlands

RE: Tuning Machines (in reply to Paul Bruhns)

hi, Paul, you have a good guitar there, fustero, is a name, but also very good.
much flamenco guitar builders use it. The expensive ones are handgraved, and gold plated. For you perhaps not importand, if it is a famous name, but perhaps, if you ever want to sell it in the future.....(I would think twice about it, if you tell me it was broken, and you put an unknown brand on it.) but should not hesitate, if you had use a 'famous'brand
lot of greetings, Peter

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 4 2003 9:03:01

TANúñez

Posts: 2559
Joined: Jul. 10 2003
From: TEXAS

RE: Tuning Machines (in reply to Paul Bruhns)

Hi Paul,

I like Gotoh's. They are reasonably priced. I also just order a set of $50 Schaller's gold/ebony buttons to use on the guitar that I'm building and I was very impressed with them.

Just be sure you get the correct roller spacing. Standard is 35mm but there's a larger one. The Fustero's I've seen have had the longer spacing but I'm sure they make the shorter one as well. Make sure you know what you have.

_____________________________

Tom Núñez
www.instagram.com/tanunezguitars

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 4 2003 14:15:40

Paul Bruhns

Posts: 77
Joined: Jul. 14 2003

RE: Tuning Machines (in reply to eslastra)

Eddie & Peter,

Thanks for your opinions. I got on the net and looked up Fusteros (Fernandez Music) and Sloane (Stew-Mac) and it looks like I'll go with one of these. I'm not sure if it comes down to aesthetics, but the Bellido has Lira top tuners on it now, and Sloane doesn't offer this as an option. Interestingly enough, I bought a set of Fusteros from Ron Fernandez a couple of years ago (for a Bernal guitar) and I really liked what he sent me. I think I paid $180.00 and they got here in less than a week.

The Sloanes are made by Waverly in their factory in Montanna, and these too look pretty good. The price is about the same; $200.00 or so per set. Before I place an order, I'm going to check with Paco de Malaga at the Guitar Gallery in D.C. to see if he has any Fusteros in his inventory. I seem to remember he had ordered some last year.

Thanks again, and I'll let you know what happens.

Regards,
Paul

PS: Eddie, I'm still trying to work on that Almoraima bulerias tab you sent me. It may take me awhile, because I'm trying to reduce most of those falsetas to chords that I can play rhythm to... it's a real brain teaser!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 4 2003 14:34:40

Paul Bruhns

Posts: 77
Joined: Jul. 14 2003

RE: Tuning Machines (in reply to Paul Bruhns)

Tom:

Good point, the Bellido has 35mm roller spacing. I've been told this is now pretty standard. Back in the day, I guess there were a lot of guitars built with 36mm roller spacing. It really makes me wonder: what's one millimeter... just enough not to work, that's what... but why the change? Weird!

Regards,
Paul

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 4 2003 14:38:28

TANúñez

Posts: 2559
Joined: Jul. 10 2003
From: TEXAS

RE: Tuning Machines (in reply to Paul Bruhns)

Hi Paul,

I don't know for sure why the change. I've even seem some at 37mm. For a guitar as nice as yours I would probably get something in the $150 to $200 range.

Like buying your lady some nice new shoes.

_____________________________

Tom Núñez
www.instagram.com/tanunezguitars

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 4 2003 16:03:38

Escribano

Posts: 6417
Joined: Jul. 6 2003
From: England, living in Italy

RE: Tuning Machines (in reply to Paul Bruhns)

Schaller Hausers, gold with ebony pegs - classy and no problems.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 4 2003 21:41:33

TANúñez

Posts: 2559
Joined: Jul. 10 2003
From: TEXAS

RE: Tuning Machines (in reply to Escribano)

El Simon,

Schaller Hausers gold with ebony is what I got for the guitar I'm building. They are pretty to look at and seems to be pretty good quality. I'll know for sure once I get to string her up.

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Tom Núñez
www.instagram.com/tanunezguitars

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 5 2003 1:40:37

Thomas Whiteley

Posts: 786
Joined: Jul. 8 2003
From: San Francisco Bay Area

RE: Tuning Machines (in reply to Paul Bruhns)

Paul;

My Ricardo Sanchis Carpio 1 AF extra has Engraved Fustero tuners and they not only look nice but they are very smooth and make tuning very easy.

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Tom
http://home.comcast.net/~flamencoguitar/flamenco.html

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 5 2003 3:05:45

Escribano

Posts: 6417
Joined: Jul. 6 2003
From: England, living in Italy

RE: Tuning Machines (in reply to TANúñez)

I think you'll like them they transformed my Bernal, but don't lose the little nylon washer under each the cog!

I am using the Schaller silver Hausers with pearl buttons on my project as I am going for a black and white look.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 5 2003 9:30:02

TANúñez

Posts: 2559
Joined: Jul. 10 2003
From: TEXAS

RE: Tuning Machines (in reply to Escribano)

Have you had a chance to finish up your first beauty? You not too far away right?

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Tom Núñez
www.instagram.com/tanunezguitars

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 5 2003 13:25:51

Escribano

Posts: 6417
Joined: Jul. 6 2003
From: England, living in Italy

RE: Tuning Machines (in reply to TANúñez)

Not far, but it was nearly 100 degrees at the weekend and no air-con in the garage so I lay in the garden

Just fingerboard, frets, nut bridge and saddle and Tru-Oil finish to go. Try the micro-mesh sanding system - awesome finish!

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 5 2003 16:00:21

TANúñez

Posts: 2559
Joined: Jul. 10 2003
From: TEXAS

RE: Tuning Machines (in reply to Escribano)

100 degrees...are you sure your not in Texas. I'm still quite a ways from applying the finish but I'll try it.

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Tom Núñez
www.instagram.com/tanunezguitars

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 5 2003 19:45:10

Escribano

Posts: 6417
Joined: Jul. 6 2003
From: England, living in Italy

RE: Tuning Machines (in reply to TANúñez)

Nope, not Texas (no chicken-fried steak). It was 89 today with 41% humidity. Very unusual for us as we have a temperate climate with changeable weather within a single day.

I was impressed with the micro-mesh/Tru-Oil reviews; it is a lot easier than french polish and a more sound-friendly than cellulose.

I'll let you know.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 6 2003 16:24:34

eslastra

Posts: 134
Joined: Jul. 12 2003
From: Livermore, CA USA

RE: Tuning Machines (in reply to Paul Bruhns)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Paul Bruhns

PS: Eddie, I'm still trying to work on that Almoraima bulerias tab you sent me. It may take me awhile, because I'm trying to reduce most of those falsetas to chords that I can play rhythm to... it's a real brain teaser!

Hey Paul,

Glad to hear you're having fun with it. Hey, next time you're in the SF bay area, let me know ahead of time and we'll try to hook up or something.

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Eddie Lastra

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 7 2003 5:06:49

Paul Bruhns

Posts: 77
Joined: Jul. 14 2003

RE: Tuning Machines (in reply to eslastra)

TUNING MACHINE UPDATE:

Paco de Malaga had a couple sets of fusteros (Hand carved, Gold plated, with real MOP buttons) and I got a set at a good price, I mean pretty much for what he paid for it. He actually gets them from the Conde Shop on Felipe in Madrid. They are the same tuners that they put on the Felipe V model. I like them. They are smooth turning and they look great.

But, I can't say they are better than Sloanes or Shallers or Gotohs as far as mechanisms go, but they are hand carved, gold plated, and real Mother of Pearl. And thanks to Paco, I paid about the same as I thought I would for a set of Sloanes.

Thanks for your opinions, in the end, Fusteros won, and in my case, Sloanes would have been my second choice (for this particular guitar).

Regards,
Paul

PS: Eddie, I may be in SF this October... I'll keep you posted.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 7 2003 13:03:46

gerundino63

Posts: 1743
Joined: Jul. 11 2003
From: The Netherlands

RE: Tuning Machines (in reply to Paul Bruhns)

Hi Paul,
from what I have heared, the MOP buttons, are handmade too on the felipe V model
well, good luck to you,
Peter

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 7 2003 13:48:29

Jim Opfer

Posts: 1876
Joined: Jul. 19 2003
From: Glasgow, Scotland.

RE: Tuning Machines (in reply to Paul Bruhns)

Hi Paul,
That's a nice problem to have! and a nice guitar to puzzle over.
My only addage would be that I don't think you'll find much difference between the top makes already mentioned except the price. I don't see the point in going for all that hand carving etc. If there's one part of a guitar that should be machine finished it's the tunners.
The only personal 'must' for me would be that the MOP mechanisms must have projecting fixings to finish them off. You know what I mean, the brass button below the MOP?
This detail to my eye, is the mark of a quality tunner and I hate those ones where the MOP is glued in or seems to be cast round the end of the spindel which is burried somewhere inside the MOP. YUGH!!!!
Good Luck!
Cheers
Jim.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 7 2003 19:04:11

El Rascacielo

Posts: 4
Joined: Dec. 20 2012

RE: Tuning Machines (in reply to Paul Bruhns)

I have a Bernal Sueño that I bought in Granada in 2002. It's recently developed a bad buzz on G tuning gear. Can anyone recommend which tuning gears would be the best replacement please? Thanks

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 14 2013 9:17:16

keith

Posts: 1108
Joined: Sep. 29 2009
From: Back in Boston

RE: Tuning Machines (in reply to El Rascacielo)

wow, a 10 year old thread brought back to life. forget about fusterso. rodgers at $360--forget about those.

first obvious thing to do--snug up the screws. if that does not fix the problem there are a boat loat of machines out there. try the bay.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 14 2013 10:20:14

tele

Posts: 1464
Joined: Aug. 17 2012

RE: Tuning Machines (in reply to keith)

quote:

first obvious thing to do--snug up the screws. if that does not fix the problem there are a boat loat of machines out there. try the bay.

If one wants to try and the tuners are good I would also try replacing the roller. Fusteros are by the way still available in some places. Ebay has very few quality tuners...

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 14 2013 12:39:59

orsonw

Posts: 1941
Joined: Jul. 4 2009
From: London

RE: Tuning Machines (in reply to El Rascacielo)

I have a Sueño, it came with low end tuners. The three other Sueños I've seen also had low end tuners. I changed mine for some expensive Gotohs that I already had. But replacement depends on your budget, how much do you want to spend? Some of the higher end Der Jung, whilst remaining inexpensive (around £20-£40) have very good quality mechanism for the money.

http://www.derjung.com.tw/index.php?option=product〈=en&task=showlist&id=18705&pages=1
(don't click, cut and paste the whole link)

They can be found on ebay.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 14 2013 17:15:17

bernd

Posts: 680
Joined: Feb. 15 2004

RE: Tuning Machines (in reply to TANúñez)

quote:

ORIGINAL: TANúñez
Just be sure you get the correct roller spacing. Standard is 35mm but there's a larger one. The Fustero's I've seen have had the longer spacing but I'm sure they make the shorter one as well. Make sure you know what you have.

I have seen many Fisteros with 35 mm spacing.

Maybe Rubner could be selection as well.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 15 2013 2:10:44

El Rascacielo

Posts: 4
Joined: Dec. 20 2012

RE: Tuning Machines (in reply to Paul Bruhns)

Thank you everyone - such great response to an old thread being revived. I really appreciate the suggestions, and have learned things about my guitar that I didn't know. BTW one of my favorite memories of this guitar the day after I bought it was to play for a few minutes crouched in the doorway to Lorca's house in Granada. It was raining and I felt like I was on a pilgrimage.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 16 2013 5:28:05