Stew Mac Golden Age Restoration Tuners for A-style Mandolin

[Eric L]

Thank you in advance for any opinions!

I have a 1917 A-4, are the "worm gear under string post" the way to go?
Do you have any experience with the Stew Mac Golden Age Restoration Tuners for A-style Mandolin?
Do you prefer the Relic nickle or bright nickle, cream or ivoroid knobs? https://www.stewmac.com/parts-and-ha...SABEgK1I_D_BwE

[John Rosett]

I put a set on a 1918 Gibson A that I used to own and they were fine. I recently cleaned and lubricated the original tuners on my 1919 A2 following these directions:http://www.lutherie.net/tuner.maintenance.html, because a couple of them were getting sticky and hard to turn, and now they're working great. If you still have the originals, I would encourage you to try that before replacing them.

[Ray(T)]

The “restoration” tuners are fine. I bought the relic ones but it’s entirely a matter of personal preference. Just don’t confuse them with the ordinary Golden Age tuners. The originals on my ‘14 A were too slack and no amount of lubrication could improve that.

[Eric L]

Thank you John, I'll try that

I put a set on a 1918 Gibson A that I used to own and they were fine. I recently cleaned and lubricated the original tuners on my 1919 A2 following these directions:http://www.lutherie.net/tuner.maintenance.html, because a couple of them were getting sticky and hard to turn, and now they're working great. If you still have the originals, I would encourage you to try that before replacing them.

[Eric L]

Why do you suppose are the ivoroid knobs so much more expensive than the cream knobs? Do they look that much better?
https://www.stewmac.com/parts-and-ha...-mandolin.html

[Eric Platt]

Why do you suppose are the ivoroid knobs so much more expensive than the cream knobs? Do they look that much better?
https://www.stewmac.com/parts-and-ha...-mandolin.html

Wonder if those are Galalith buttons? Like the bridge pins they offer. Those need to be machined because of the material.