Imperial tuner screw gold

**stringmann** · 08-13-2023, 08:56 AM

Screw fell out on gig last night, couldn't find it. Tuner fell off but i have it and works fine, just need set screw. I know i can buy one from all parts etc, but anyone know what size i should ask for at hardware store? At least til i can get to luthier 2 hous away? Tnx

**wintermoon** · 08-13-2023, 09:10 AM

Why not take another one from the guitar and go to a hardware store and match it.
More accurate than hoping someone here gives you the right answer.

**stringmann** · 08-13-2023, 09:21 AM

Yes, common sense approach; i thought it might be a common size rather than multiple sizes....tnx

**wintermoon** · 08-13-2023, 09:37 AM

Originally Posted by stringmann

Yes, common sense approach; i thought it might be a common size rather than multiple sizes....tnx

it probably is but I'd still rather have an original in hand

**sgosnell** · 08-13-2023, 05:18 PM

As long as the screw will go through the hole in the tuner, it will work. The thread size isn't that critical, it can be resized easily enough. You may or may not find a screw at the hardware store that matches for looks, but what is acceptable for that is up to you.

**wintermoon** · 08-13-2023, 05:32 PM

Sure it'll work but do you want one screw w a longer shaft that you may break off in the hole because the existing hole isn't deep enough [I've seen enough broken off screws in hard maple] And you don't really want one w a larger or smaller head that doesn't match the others do you? It's pretty simple, having another correct screw in hand at the store is just easier to get right the first time.

**nevershouldhavesoldit** · 08-13-2023, 06:06 PM

Originally Posted by wintermoon

Sure it'll work but do you want one screw w a longer shaft that you may break off in the hole because the existing hole isn't deep enough [I've seen enough broken off screws in hard maple] And you don't really want one w a larger or smaller head that doesn't match the others do you? It's pretty simple, having another correct screw in hand at the store is just easier to get right the first time.

[The “you” in this message is not you,WM - it’s generic.]

…and the thread size & pitch are indeed critical if you plan to replace the lost screw with another original or its duplicate. You can certainly get a coarser or finer thread into the wood, and it will feel secure if you don’t torque it much.. But it will distort the female “threads” formed by the original screw, which will weaken the wood. This often breaks off little pieces of those ridges (which will not be visible to you) and will leave less intact wood to hold the proper replacement screw. And putting another original screw in there after doing this will deform and weaken the ridges in the wood even more.

If you’re satisfied with whatever screw you can get through the hole and all the way in, and you don’t plan to ever put a “proper” screw back, it’ll hold. But it’s sloppy seconds and not something I or any luthier I know would do. Proper screws are not hard to find.

FWIW, I’ve never had an original tuner screw fall out of any of the dozens of guitars I’ve had over the last 65+ years. There’s probably a reason the OP’s did. If these are the original tuners and they’ve never been removed, it may have simply backed out. But there’s a good chance that at least the offending screw had been removed / replaced / overtightened etc. And if the entire set was removed & reinstalled, I’d check all of the screws because this may not have been the only one with damaged threads.

**Cunamara** · 08-13-2023, 06:37 PM

Originally Posted by sgosnell

As long as the screw will go through the hole in the tuner, it will work. The thread size isn't that critical, it can be resized easily enough.

yes, the thread size is critical if you don't want to ruin the tuner shaft. Diameter, thread, pitch and length.

**sgosnell** · 08-13-2023, 09:08 PM

Maybe I'm thinking of the wrong screw. I was assuming a wood screw holding the tuner in place. If we're talking about the screw holding the button in place, that's an entirely different ballgame.

**nevershouldhavesoldit** · 08-13-2023, 10:19 PM

Originally Posted by sgosnell

Maybe I'm thinking of the wrong screw. I was assuming a wood screw holding the tuner in place. If we're talking about the screw holding the button in place, that's an entirely different ballgame.

OP says the tuner fell off. Losing the button retaining screw wouldn't cause that to happen.

**sgosnell** · 08-13-2023, 10:30 PM

That's what I thought. But how could a screw holding the tuner itself damage the shaft. I have a sneaking suspicion that not everyone is thinking about the same thing, so I'm trying to understand exactly what screw we're talking about.

Different manufacturers use different screws to hold the button in place, use different shaft diameters and lengths, and in short, nothing is standardized, as far as I've been able to determine. Thus the only reliable way to go is to take another screw identical to the lost one along to the store and try to find a match. That can be difficult. My understanding is that the OP was looking for something quick to tide him over until he can get a repair person to replace the lost screw with an identical one. With a wood screw that's possible, and the hole can be repaired securely without a trace. With a metal screw, the identical thread size, pitch, and length is essential. Much more difficult. I don't know which is the case.

**stringmann** · 08-13-2023, 10:44 PM

Grand of you guys to give this your attention + support. Sorry I've been offline all day. So here's some clarity (i hope) It was the button, not the whole tuner. It was during set up for a 3+ hour gig. It was just the set screw holding the imperial button on. Even without the set screw i could still tune. In decades of playing, ( 3 decades w this archtop) I've never had this happen. The screw loosened over time i guess.
And yes, I did back out another screw and got the right size from hdw...even took the guitar in to make sure it would thread properly. So fine now until i can get to luthier to get right match. Tnx again!