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Thread: 6-on-a-plate 12 string tuners

  1. #1
    Registered User Mandobart's Avatar
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    Default 6-on-a-plate 12 string tuners

    I have a 10 string mandola which I love. It has pearloid tuner buttons which I do not. I've been mulling options for a while. As I studied it closely last night I realized the 5-on-a-plate tuners are actually 6-on-a-plate guitar tuners made for a slotted headstock 12 string guitar with one tuner off each plate removed.

    This instrument has a solid, not slotted headstock. The tuner buttons are pressed/glued on the shafts. I could buy some ebony buttons, crush/heat the old plastic buttons off, then glue on the ebony buttons.

    But I don't like the untapered rollers on these tuners that were built for a slothead. I'd like to replace them with tapered rollers. I've not seen 5-on-a-plate solid head tuners anywhere, so I figured I could buy a set made for a solid head 12 string and remove the unneeded tuner on each side, assuming they would fit the existing holes in the headstock.

    Mandolin tuners come four on a plate, and both the F and A styles have been standardized for decades. I can buy a set of mandolin tuners from any major mfr and I know they'll fit without having to plug and drill the headstock.

    Is the same true of the 12 string guitar tuning machines that come with six tuners on a plate? Also is there any reason to think that the spacing would be the same on solid and slotted headstock tuners?

    Another option may be to use something like Grover mini's. In any case there will be a lot of measuring and spec scrutinizing to do.

    Ideas, comments, mockery and completely off-topic responses are welcome and expected as usual.....

  2. #2
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: 6-on-a-plate 12 string tuners

    Check the spacing between posts against the drawing at the bottom of this page. You might be able to cut this and never know it was cut. Stewmac also sells a slotted set but without knowing where yours came from they might not be the same.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

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  4. #3
    Teacher, repair person
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    Default Re: 6-on-a-plate 12 string tuners

    I just replaced the 50 year old tuners on a 12 string with the Stew mac Golden Age set. They dropped right in, and they work well.
    Right now, the solid head version of these tuners is listed only with black buttons.

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  6. #4
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: 6-on-a-plate 12 string tuners

    Quote Originally Posted by rcc56 View Post
    I just replaced the 50 year old tuners on a 12 string with the Stew mac Golden Age set. They dropped right in, and they work well.
    Right now, the solid head version of these tuners is listed only with black buttons.
    That should be cool as he seems to like black buttons.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

  7. #5
    Registered User Mandobart's Avatar
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    Default Re: 6-on-a-plate 12 string tuners

    Yes I do prefer dark/black tuner buttons. I put a set of Golden Age A style tuners on my old Regal resonator mandolin that have worked well. All things equal (especially availability) I prefer wood.

  8. #6
    Registered User Mandobart's Avatar
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    Default Re: 6-on-a-plate 12 string tuners

    Well I've searched and cannot find any 6-on-a-plate tuners that aren't chrome or nickel. Normally nickel is what I prefer - BUT this instrument has a cast bronze Allen tailpiece and brass armrest hardware (custom, due to the deep body). I really want brass/bronze hardware throughout for consistency. I don't like mismatched hardware (I've replaced tuners for less in the past).

    Also, it seems like the "standard" spacing is 25 mm between post (roller) centerlines on the 6-on-a-plate tuners. On my mandola, however, the spacing varies from 23.85 to 25.65 mm. I have no idea the brand of these tuners. So....I'm looking again at mini-Grovers or mini Schaller guitar tuners. I have these on my Mandobird VIII and Ovation 12 string, respectively. Based on measuring these, they will fit the 'dola. And I can order gold mini Schallers with ebony buttons, OR I can get gold mini Grovers and buy ebony buttons separately (like the ones I put on my custom octave mandolin).

  9. #7

    Default Re: 6-on-a-plate 12 string tuners

    How about just having the tailpiece, etc plated instead? You could have the tuners brass/bronze plated but something tells me the variable spacing might imply material issues that would make plating unsuccessful, and if the worms don’t remove, a bad idea.

  10. #8
    Registered User sunburst's Avatar
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    Default Re: 6-on-a-plate 12 string tuners

    You can strip nickel plating from brass or bronze. I have a bag of some sort of chemical powder that Bill Sullivan gave me many years ago. I don't know what it is, but you might be able to research it and find out.

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  12. #9
    Jo Dusepo, luthier Dusepo's Avatar
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    Default Re: 6-on-a-plate 12 string tuners

    If you need 5 on each side, 10 string machine heads, do a search online for machine heads for charango, bajo quinto or Puerto Rican cuatro.
    I am a luthier specialising in historical and world stringed instruments. You can see more info at my website.

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  14. #10
    Registered User Mandobart's Avatar
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    Default Re: 6-on-a-plate 12 string tuners

    I ended up going with Grover mini rotomatics ($110 new for a 12 string set) with ebony buttons (about $25 each for 2 sets of 6). When I pulled the old tuners off I saw the headstock had once been drilled for 6 tuners on each side. I think I'll contact the builder for "the rest of the story."
    I know it had originally been planned for a Cirque du Soleil musician who decided he didn't really want it, so I got it for a good deal.

    Anyway this is how it looks now:
    Click image for larger version. 

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    First time installing these type of tuners. Not perfect, but they work well and I'm happy with the look. You can see my attempts to plug the old screw holes, and some dents where the old tuner plates bit into the wood.

    I was surprised at how much bigger I had to drill the holes to accommodate the big old housing that accepts the screw-in bushings. I had to use the supplied washers as the bushing flats alone don't cover the hole.

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