tuners for a bowlback

**kymandolin29** · Dec-12-2017, 11:51pm

is there such a thing as replacement tuners for a orhpeus tater bug mandolin...one of the buttons has broke off..im thinkin its a 70s model ...

**allenhopkins** · Dec-13-2017, 2:48pm

In my experience, best bet for older bowl-back parts, is to visit you local instrument repair shop (hope you have one), and ask the proprietor to look through his "salvage drawer" of parts cannibalized from unrepairable instruments. Just got a decent replacement bridge for my B & J Victoria bowl-back by this means.

If it's only the button that's split and come off its shaft, Stewart-McDonald sells individual replacement buttons that can be glued to the shaft. If you need more of the mechanism, I'd see if I could find something at your area "salvage yard."

**Jim Garber** · Dec-13-2017, 11:38pm

I think the Orpheus is one of the many brands similar to Suzuki esp if it is made in the 1970s. It probably looks like this one.

Click image for larger version.

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You may be able to replace the button or, worse to worse, might be able to replace the tuners with an inexpensive set assuming the spacing is correct. Measure center post to center post.

**Bill Clements** · Dec-13-2017, 11:57pm

My Ditson bowlback needed a tuner button replaced. The repairman at Elderly Insruments replaced it with a modern button that was an almost exact duplicate and “aged” it with with a lighted match. Neat trick.

**kymandolin29** · Dec-14-2017, 10:20am

I have ordered a set of cheapo tuners....wrong spacing, bought tuner buttons ...they have a hole for a screw and don't seat on the shaft nearly tight enuff.....are there buttons with no screw hole in them?

**kymandolin29** · Dec-14-2017, 10:21am

by the way jim garber , the pic you posted of the bowlback above is the excact mandolin I have

**pops1** · Dec-14-2017, 12:25pm

There are buttons without screw holes, you put them on by heating the shaft of the tuner, OFF the mandolin of course, and it melts the button to the shaft.

**kymandolin29** · Dec-15-2017, 1:01pm

where could I order them? besides stew mac...their shipping is unreal

**pops1** · Dec-15-2017, 2:30pm

If you are careful or know someone who has some old tuners with similar buttons you can take the old button off and use that. Most places are going to get you on shipping that single thing. If your repair person needs something may he/she could order you a button. Post a pic that may help if someone has some old tuners they may send you one.