Eastman Pingwell tuning machines - RM-1583N-26A

[colorado_al]

I stopped in to a local shop today and played a few Eastman mandolins. The reworked MD615 was quite nice.
I was surprised by how nice the tuning machines are. The Pingwell tuners that Eastman is using on the 400, 500 & 600 series are really good. I imagine they are priced lower than the Gotohs that the 800 & 900 models have.
I can't find them for sale anywhere however. Perhaps they only sell to Eastman at this time?
Model # listed by Eastman is RM-1583N-26A. Pingwell catalog lists them also as PT 403
Much higher quality than the standard Ping tuners
http://www.ping-well.com/product_detail.php?id=11

[Br1ck]

Don't quote me, but I doubt there is much of a market for this quality range of replacement t tuner, what with there being some pretty decent tuners in the $50-75 range. My guess they are made for Eastman to fit the price point they need.

[mandroid]

[Tuners, generally] given how slowly they turn, in use, while a string is off, you can wind them faster
and put a tiny bit of lubrication on and smooth them out.

[colorado_al]

I'm not sure what either of these comments have to do with my post?
I think that the tuners that they are using on these models are quite good. And if they cost less than the Gotohs, it would be a good buy akin to the Grover 309 for $50

[mandroid]

Why the Post? Do you want this forum to find them for you? ,
asked a dealer that sells Eastman instruments?

I just echo what the late Paul Hostetter often said , here..
your tuners may be fine , just need some attention wearing in and a spot of lube


I bought the regular Schallers, years ago , I replaced the original ones on my Slot peg head Hodson Djangolin..

I think they're 16:1

no small amount of tuner feel is the woodworking precision not the tuners ..

8 holes have to be spaced accurately....

(I have a CF Mix A5 that 1 A tuner shaft bound, because it was off..

cheaper tuners tolerated that, the precision Waverly would not..







/....

[colorado_al]

Why the Post?

To comment on the good quality of the tuners Eastman is using on their mid-range mandolins.

[HoGo]

I stopped in to a local shop today and played a few Eastman mandolins. The reworked MD615 was quite nice.
I was surprised by how nice the tuning machines are. The Pingwell tuners that Eastman is using on the 400, 500 & 600 series are really good. I imagine they are priced lower than the Gotohs that the 800 & 900 models have.
I can't find them for sale anywhere however. Perhaps they only sell to Eastman at this time?
Model # listed by Eastman is RM-1583N-26A. Pingwell catalog lists them also as PT 403
Much higher quality than the standard Ping tuners
http://www.ping-well.com/product_detail.php?id=11

Allparts carries pingwell tuners. Though they show slightly different model of f style (the worm is slightly different, but the base plate is the same), perhaps the tuners on Ping Web are updated version?

[Phil Goodson]

Good to hear. I remember some years ago, lots of people posted about how they were changing out their "Ping" tuners for better ones.
If this means that things have improved over the years, that's a good thing.

[colorado_al]

Good to hear. I remember some years ago, lots of people posted about how they were changing out their "Ping" tuners for better ones.
If this means that things have improved over the years, that's a good thing.

These tuners are a step up from the poor quality Ping tuners that are still commonly found on lower priced instruments.

[Caleb]

My Eastman was from 2006 and had the best tuners I’ve ever used on it. Better than both sets I’ve had on my Collings (Golden Age and Gotoh).

[Br1ck]

Ping is no different from most manufacturers in that they will build you what you want for whatever price point you need. Manufacturers of mandolins need to have reasons for you to buy the next model up the line. I suspect this is more the reason for using cheapertuners that the actual cost to the manufacturer.

Good tuners on a 315 would negate 515 sales, as many 315s sound better already. I was surprised they changed the 315 tailpiece.

[cayuga red]

My Eastman was from 2006 and had the best tuners I’ve ever used on it. Better than both sets I’ve had on my Collings (Golden Age and Gotoh).

Well stated.

[Bill Cameron]

I totally missed the memo that Pingwells and Ping aren’t the same (or did Ping just change their name?) and that Eastman changed over at some point. If this happened, does anyone know what year the change occurred? I’ve found the Grover 309s an improvement on my 2009 505, but the old ones weren’t terrible.