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Thread: an aesthetic question

  1. #1
    Registered User Charlie Bernstein's Avatar
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    Default an aesthetic question

    I have an old Gibson Junior A snakehead — used hard, but a little darlin'. There's a picture below that loaded sideways, for some reason.

    The tuners (maybe Gold Tones, I don't know) are pretty new but don't stay tuned for long. So I'm thinking of getting a set of Rubners.

    There are just a few choices under $100 that I like on the Rubner website. I've narrowed it down to two:

    - One set is black rosewood, $74.

    - One is imitation ivory, $96.

    Either set would look great on Junior. But since the old snakeheads tuners were white, I'm thinking ivory is the way to go.

    On the other hand, $22 is three sets of strings, so I'm wondering how much to care about the how strange or sacrilegious the black tuners would look to anyone who really cares about mandolins — especially since I might sell it some day.

    What do you think?

    Thanks!

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    Gibson A-Junior snakehead (Keep on pluckin'!)

  2. #2

    Default Re: an aesthetic question

    I think black tuners look great on these. And the rosewood will look more in keeping with the natural, no-frills aesthetic.

  3. #3

    Default Re: an aesthetic question

    Will the Rubners fit?
    Gunga......Gunga.....Gu-Lunga

  4. #4
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: an aesthetic question

    It's a snakehead with worm over tuners so they should be the modern spacing, so yes, they should fit.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
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  6. #5
    Registered User Charlie Bernstein's Avatar
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    Default Re: an aesthetic question

    Quote Originally Posted by ColdBeerGoCubs View Post
    Will the Rubners fit?
    Cold Beer thinks so. I just figure if they don't, I'll send 'em back.
    Gibson A-Junior snakehead (Keep on pluckin'!)

  7. #6
    Registered User sunburst's Avatar
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    Default Re: an aesthetic question

    Aesthetics aside, the tuners you have are probably fine and the tuning problems are more likely the string nut.
    If you, or a good set-up person if you don't consider yourself to be one (or don't have the tools), check and adjust the string slots in the nut so that they are the proper depth and especially fit the strings well, that might fix the tuning problems.

    If you just want a new set of tuners (and are using the tuning problems for self-justification ), Rubners are a good choice, and IMO either button color will look fine.

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  9. #7

    Default Re: an aesthetic question

    Quote Originally Posted by MikeEdgerton View Post
    It's a snakehead with worm over tuners so they should be the modern spacing, so yes, they should fit.
    I've got a '24 AJr Snakehead and I could have sworn it had the old spacing, thats why I asked. I'll have to check it out today.
    Last edited by ColdBeerGoCubs; Sep-04-2022 at 9:43am.
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  10. #8
    My Florida is scooped pheffernan's Avatar
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    Default Re: an aesthetic question

    Quote Originally Posted by ColdBeerGoCubs View Post
    I've got a '24 Air Snakehead
    Was Jordan marketing Gibson mandolins back then?
    1924 Gibson A Snakehead
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  12. #9
    Registered User Charlie Bernstein's Avatar
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    Default Re: an aesthetic question

    Ordered the ivories.

    Thanks!
    Gibson A-Junior snakehead (Keep on pluckin'!)

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  14. #10

    Default Re: an aesthetic question

    Quote Originally Posted by pheffernan View Post
    Was Jordan marketing Gibson mandolins back then?
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