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Thread: Drop - in tuner upgrade for Eastman 305?

  1. #1
    Registered User
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    Default Drop - in tuner upgrade for Eastman 305?

    I've had my Eastman 305 for a few weeks now, and the action had settled to less than 0.9mm on the G. Today I put it back up to Eastman's factory spec of .06" or 1.5mm G / .05" or 1.25mm E. I did that by screwing up the bridge once I'd loosed the action by a 5th all round (roughly CGDA) and taken the tension off the bridge screw I was adjusting by levering each side of the bridge up in turn with a big (wide blade) screwdriver. It's still getting used the new action height, but it sounds better (louder and rounder), and the tuning is fine.

    Now I can play some tunes and chords, the only remaining mild annoyance is the tuners - they work OK, but they're stiff and slightly rough and lumpy. Can someone recommend a (hopefully) budget replacement tuner set that drops straight in, is smoother and less stiff than the O.E. set? I'm not looking for perfection, but the instrument is good enough to be worth something that feels a bit better.

  2. #2
    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
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    Question Re: Drop - in tuner upgrade for Eastman 305?

    Not a 305 owner who did this for you to say from experience..


    I'll Refer you to Stew Mac .. they offer dimensioned drawings to match your own carefully done measurements ..
    (the blue print page, is with the chosen tuner )

    https://www.stewmac.com/parts-and-ha...ning-machines/
    Will be Shipped from Ohio to UK so that adds cost..

    There is a wearing in option on your existing tuners ..

    when the string is off , spin the knob a few hundred times & add a little oil , to smooth them out..

    Peg winder cranks for mandolins is useful , then..





    /..
    Last edited by mandroid; Feb-27-2021 at 5:42pm.
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  4. #3
    Registered User Pappyrich's Avatar
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    Default Re: Drop - in tuner upgrade for Eastman 305?

    I put a set of Grover 309's on my Eastman305. They drop in to the post holes perfectly, but all the screw holes don't line up. The good news is that you only need to add one new hole/side (if I remember correctly), and the new tuners cover the old, unused, holes completely. It is a very easy switch. The Grovers were a good replacement. IMO. I think I paid about $70 - $80 for the set.

    Good luck.
    Richard

    Eastman 305
    Gibson A1 (1919)
    Martin D16 guitar
    Great Divide Guitar (Two-Old-Hippies)
    OME 11" banjo (1973)
    Pisgah 12" banjo

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