Results 1 to 15 of 15

Thread: New Tuners for Vintage F2

  1. #1
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Aug 2017
    Location
    Apex, NC
    Posts
    82

    Default New Tuners for Vintage F2

    I have a 1915 F2. The Handel tuners need to be preserved. They also need some work.
    1. I would like new ebony button tuners to go with the black finish. What would you recommend?
    2. Who does work on these tuners? They need a good "once over".
    Thanks in advance.
    Merry Christmas

  2. #2

    Default Re: New Tuners for Vintage F2

    The late (and sadly missed) Paul Hosteter posted a very useful article on his website specifically about tuner maintenance. Check it out.

    http://www.lutherie.net/tuner.maintenance.html

    Also do a search here on the forum for his many posts on the subject. RIP Paul...

    Len B.
    Clearwater, FL (cold and windy this Christmas)

  3. #3
    Professional Dreamer journeybear's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Northeastern South Carolina, west of North Carolina
    Posts
    15,346
    Blog Entries
    2

    Default Re: New Tuners for Vintage F2

    Hi Len

    Scanning through posts, I happened to see this mention of Paul passing. I'm stunned to learn this, more than a year and a half later. I knew I hadn't been spending as much time at the Café as I used to, but I'd have thought I'd have heard. This is so sad.
    But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong. - Dennis Miller

    Furthering Mandolin Consciousness

    Finders Keepers, my duo with the astoundingly talented and versatile Patti Rothberg. Our EP is finally done, and available! PM me, while they last!

  4. #4
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Aug 2017
    Location
    Apex, NC
    Posts
    82

    Default Re: New Tuners for Vintage F2

    Thanks Len. Sorry for the loss of your friend. The article is amazing!

    I ordered some Tri-Flow per Paul's article. I think I can cure the tuning part of my issue following his advise looking for friction and post positioning. There is no evidence of the tuners ever being off the mando. I'll do my cleaning and lubricating and I'm sure it will cure that part.

    The other issue I have is the buttons ore starting to slip on the posts. Any advise on how to cure this will be appreciated.

  5. #5

    Default Re: New Tuners for Vintage F2

    I'm sure there are articles on slipping tuner buttons either in Paul's posts or on Frank Ford's www.frets.com pages. Cures will likely include Super Glue or a variation on CA adhesives. Mine is a 1916 F-4 with Handel tuners (left in my avatar) and I have never had a significant problem with them. Besides, I love the look of Handel tuners so I recommend keeping them but it's your mandolin and I don't have any recommendations for replacement tuners. Best,

    Len B.
    Clearwater, FL

  6. #6
    Teacher, repair person
    Join Date
    Oct 2017
    Location
    Southeast Tennessee
    Posts
    4,078

    Default Re: New Tuners for Vintage F2

    If you cannot get your current tuners working, the recently introduced Stew-mac #2522 Golden Age tuners are a drop-in replacement.
    They only come with ivoroid buttons.

    They are the only available modern tuners I know of that have the same post spacing as the originals. The only other alternatives that I am aware of would have to be custom made.

    The old 'teens instruments had a post spacing of ~15/16". Sometime during the 1920's, post spacing was changed to 29/32", and all the modern tuners are made with that slightly narrower spacing. Installing 29/32" tuners on a 'teens Gibson without plugging and re-drilling the post holes in the peghead is a crap shoot at best.

  7. #7
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Silver Spring, MD
    Posts
    269

    Default Re: New Tuners for Vintage F2

    The 1923 Gibson Handbook recommends this fix when the buttons are loose on the shaft. Have any of you ever tried this approach?

    http://www.mandolinarchive.com/docum...al/page24.html

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	90826A23-E561-4CF0-B66B-AFB38C7EC1DE.jpeg 
Views:	133 
Size:	325.0 KB 
ID:	190844

    Mark
    Mark Lynch

  8. The following members say thank you to MarkELynch for this post:


  9. #8
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Howell, NJ
    Posts
    26,875

    Default Re: New Tuners for Vintage F2

    The tuners rcc56 mentioned appear to have standard Waverly type buttons on them. The tuners are here. Give Stewmac a call and see if the black Waverly buttons would fit on the tuners.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

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

  10. #9
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Howell, NJ
    Posts
    26,875

    Default Re: New Tuners for Vintage F2

    Quote Originally Posted by journeybear View Post
    Hi Len

    Scanning through posts, I happened to see this mention of Paul passing. I'm stunned to learn this, more than a year and a half later. I knew I hadn't been spending as much time at the Café as I used to, but I'd have thought I'd have heard. This is so sad.
    Paul died back in February of 2019. His family is graciously maintaining his website. He is greatly missed by those that he came into contact with over the years.

    https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/sf...&pid=191751448
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

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

  11. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to MikeEdgerton For This Useful Post:


  12. #10

    Default Re: New Tuners for Vintage F2

    Quote Originally Posted by MarkELynch View Post
    The 1923 Gibson Handbook recommends this fix when the buttons are loose on the shaft. Have any of you ever tried this approach?

    http://www.mandolinarchive.com/docum...al/page24.html

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	90826A23-E561-4CF0-B66B-AFB38C7EC1DE.jpeg 
Views:	133 
Size:	325.0 KB 
ID:	190844

    Mark

    You can fix just about anything using this method.
    Gunga......Gunga.....Gu-Lunga

  13. The following members say thank you to ColdBeerGoCubs for this post:

    lenf12 

  14. #11

    Default Re: New Tuners for Vintage F2

    Quote Originally Posted by coldbeergocubs View Post
    you can fix just about anything using this method.
    LOL

    Len B.
    Clearwater, FL

  15. #12
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Aug 2017
    Location
    Apex, NC
    Posts
    82

    Default Re: New Tuners for Vintage F2

    Thanks everyone!! I'll follow the handbook and try to be gentle with the hammer.......

  16. #13
    Certified! Bernie Daniel's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
    Posts
    8,347
    Blog Entries
    4

    Default Re: New Tuners for Vintage F2

    Quote Originally Posted by MarkELynch View Post
    The 1923 Gibson Handbook recommends this fix when the buttons are loose on the shaft. Have any of you ever tried this approach?

    http://www.mandolinarchive.com/docum...al/page24.html

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	90826A23-E561-4CF0-B66B-AFB38C7EC1DE.jpeg 
Views:	133 
Size:	325.0 KB 
ID:	190844

    Mark
    I hope they did not try the Gibson polish though...
    Bernie
    ____
    Due to current budgetary restrictions the light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off -- sorry about the inconvenience.

  17. #14

    Default Re: New Tuners for Vintage F2

    Need to be sure to get the PRE 1924 Stewmac tuners. They do a separate set with arrow heads for modern mandolins.

  18. #15
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Aug 2017
    Location
    Apex, NC
    Posts
    82

    Default Re: New Tuners for Vintage F2

    The Tri-Flow lubricant, an old tooth brush and rag did the trick! One button is somewhat loose. After all these years with this mando, during this procedure I discovered one post was ever so slightly bent. It's the post with the loose button. No signs of trauma, thank goodness. I don't think the Handels have had any servicing since birth. There is no evidence they have been off the mando. Just goes to show the importance of inspection and service. One down, a few more to go......
    Bob D.

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •