replacement for '88 gibson/kluson tuners?

[yebdox]

Jack, they should still have those in stock at Stewmac, slightly better than the new Klusons.... discontinued, but I picked up a couple, seem marginally better than new Klusons.

[Jabberwocky]

I like Hipshot’s other products and I think these are a great idea, but they feel a bit clunky to me versus the Kluson Revolution set.

What are your thoughts on this, Jabs? Do you have personal experience with either?

No experience but they have always been on my radar especially the openbacked ones. The adapter plates are a great idea; I have no doubt they would work with other tuning machines as long as they fit the width of the tabs.

I had planned and still plan to remove the original tuning machines on my old Gibsons and save them for...uh, resale value. The Hipshots with adapter plates require no holes to be made. Great! Lazy me never got around to it...

The Gotoh Kludon-style replacements work as well as the Schaller M6. I would go for the Gotohs, if I wanted to keep the look. Gibson tuning machines are Schallers, if I am not mistaken.

[Hammertone]

...Gibson tuning machines are Schallers, if I am not mistaken.

Used to be - cast tuners, Nashville bridges, tailpieces - all made in Germany.
Schaller went through a difficult period and lost the contract.
I believe that Ping now supplies all of that stuff.
Gotoh supplied vintage-style tuners - those are now supplied by Kluson.
Grover still supplies Rotomatics.

[jzucker]

It looks like they make them with both press-in and threaded bushings. From what you described, the threaded ones should be a drop-in replacement for what you have. As far as weight goes, there doesn't seem to be a published spec. I googled around a bit, and some reviews (such as this one) said they are about a gram heavier than the Gibson-branded Deluxe Kluson-style tuners. Worth a shot, IMO. I'd buy a set, except the only guitar I have that actually needs new tuners is an acoustic with 3-on-plate Klusons, and they don't come in that form factor.

John

I decided to pass on the locking tuners. I don't plan on dive-bombing on the 175. I'll probably go with the rotomatics or grover deluxe

[John A.]

I decided to pass on the locking tuners. I don't plan on dive-bombing on the 175. I'll probably go with the rotomatics or grover deluxe

Can't go wrong with either.

John

[Stringswinger]

My 2017 Figured 175 came with Rotomatics and it works (and sounds) great (I just wish they had used keystone buttons. I might buy a replacement set, just to make things look more "familiar").

+1 for Grover Rotomatics. Jim Hall knew what he was doing.

[jzucker]

just wanted to report back that I installed the Grover Deluxe tuners on my 175 and they are fantastic. Much smoother than the originals. Very easy to install and required no reaming or new screw holes.