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RobF -> RE: Replacing Gotoh tuners (Dec. 31 2018 23:51:27)
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Just my opinion, but before you spend a cent replacing things it might be prudent to first check the screw holding the crown gear to the roller and tighten it if it’s loose. Don’t reef on it, just snug it up. These screws are often originally attached with loc-tite but with time they can work loose. It doesn’t hurt to check them periodically.
Lubricating the worm gear is good, too, but just a little dab will do, the lubricant should be sparse enough to be invisible and the worm gear assembly should look clean. Too much jell-type lubricant can attract dust and dirt.
I think Stew-Mac was offering a lifetime warranty on these things up until recently. Maybe they still offer it. If that’s the case, contacting Anders would be the next step. I don’t want to put words into his mouth but I wouldn’t be surprised if he asks you to first snug up any loose crown gear screws and check the nut for rough edges. If he feels the tuners are defective you might have to ask him to contact Stew-mac and give them the receipt number or a rough idea of the purchase date and then you would return the tuners to them for checking. Of course, they’ll probably ask him the same questions, too.
If you disassemble the tuners, breaking all the loc-tite and possibly mucking up the screw heads in the process, there is a good chance any warranty will be voided and you will be out of luck with Stew-Mac. If you don’t get the reassembly right you might ruin an expensive piece of gear or end up having something with a compromised performance.
I agree with Ricardo that these things do wear. But Ricardo is a pro and he probably does a heck of a lot more string changes than your average player. He likely tunes a lot more too because his gigging guitars experience changing environments day in and day out. The worms and crown gears don’t look worn in the picture you posted, but a side shot of the gear assembly would give a better idea. I suspect that if there is a problem it might be with the roller and that could be a warranty issue.
Finally, if you do bring it somewhere to get the tuners replaced it would be prudent to ask them to remove the Sloanes while you’re there and take them home with you. You might be able to get them repaired by Stew-Mac for a reasonable price and then have a nice set of spares. Those engraved brass plates are gorgeous and have a lovely patina to them. They are worth keeping. Just don’t assume they will be returned with the guitar when you pick it up. I know that sounds cynical, but the cynicism comes hard earned.
At any rate, as I said, just my opinion, I hope it all works out for the best. It sounds like you love your guitar, so it deserves to be in prime operating condition.
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