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Thread: Ebony Tuner Buttons for Eastman ER-M El Rey mando?

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    Default Ebony Tuner Buttons for Eastman ER-M El Rey mando?

    This is only an aesthetics issue!
    - I have an El Rey mandolin, & I just cannot stand the cheesy plastic tuner buttons on the Pingwell RM-1583N-26A tuners.
    I would like to replace them with ebony buttons that match the rest of the mando. I have had no luck finding ebony buttons that would fit!
    -Eastman told me I had to contact their dealers. Their dealers say they cannot order direct from Pingwell. Parts dealers StewMac & Allparts say the ebony ones they sell will not fit the Pingwell tuners. Pingwell has been non-responsive.
    Does anyone know where I can get a set of 8 small ebony tuner knobs that will fit these tuners? Or maybe a set that has a slightly undersize hole I could bore out? If not, do you have any suggestions, like a contact at Pingwell, or another dealer / parts vendor likely to have these?
    -With all the Eastman hoopla about Eastman using an ebony pickup ring & knobs, one would think this would have been done originally, as ebony tuner buttons are common!
    Thanks everyone!
    AB
    2021 Eastman El Rey mando
    2004 Weber Gallatin spruce & mohagany w K&K pickup
    2002 Schwab 5 string Mandocaster w 2 Duncan humbuckers
    1983 Flatiron 2MC w K&K pickup
    2018 Mesa Engineering Rosette 330-2/8 acoustic amp

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    Registered User Mandobart's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ebony Tuner Buttons for Eastman ER-M El Rey mando?

    I similarly have an antipathy toward mother-of-toilet-seat tuning machine buttons. Where switchable (Grover, Gotoh, some other brands) I've simply replaced the buttons. For the Pings on my Eastman mandocello and guitar I completely replaced the tuning machines.

    I've not done but have read about heating the plastic buttons on Pings and others to remove them then using epoxy to glue on wooden buttons.

  3. #3
    Quietly Making Noise Dave Greenspoon's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ebony Tuner Buttons for Eastman ER-M El Rey mando?

    The Pingwell machines on the El Rey are also on the 515. I replaced the ones on the 515 with Grover 409s. Changing out the El Rey is my next priority. Iirc, you can easily replace the 409 buttons.
    Axes: Eastman MD-515 & El Rey; Eastwood S Mandola
    Amps: Fishman Loudbox 100; Rivera Clubster Royale Recording Head & R212 cab; Laney Cub 10

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    Default Re: Ebony Tuner Buttons for Eastman ER-M El Rey mando?

    Thanks! I will give the Grover 409s a try!
    AB
    2021 Eastman El Rey mando
    2004 Weber Gallatin spruce & mohagany w K&K pickup
    2002 Schwab 5 string Mandocaster w 2 Duncan humbuckers
    1983 Flatiron 2MC w K&K pickup
    2018 Mesa Engineering Rosette 330-2/8 acoustic amp

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    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ebony Tuner Buttons for Eastman ER-M El Rey mando?

    Chances are you won't find Grover buttons in ebony either unless something has changed. Take a look at a set of Rubners.
    "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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    Quietly Making Noise Dave Greenspoon's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ebony Tuner Buttons for Eastman ER-M El Rey mando?

    @abworld, head's up:
    Recently had 409's from Stew Mac installed on my El Rey. Make sure they are correct, worm-over A style tuners. So far I'm mostly satisfied; there is a something with one of the A's not making me happy.
    Axes: Eastman MD-515 & El Rey; Eastwood S Mandola
    Amps: Fishman Loudbox 100; Rivera Clubster Royale Recording Head & R212 cab; Laney Cub 10

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    Quietly Making Noise Dave Greenspoon's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ebony Tuner Buttons for Eastman ER-M El Rey mando?

    Quote Originally Posted by abworld View Post
    Thanks! I will give the Grover 409s a try!
    @abworld head's up:
    Recently had 409's from Stew Mac installed on my El Rey. Make sure they are correct, worm-over A style tuners. So far I'm mostly satisfied; there is a something with one of the A's not making me happy.
    Axes: Eastman MD-515 & El Rey; Eastwood S Mandola
    Amps: Fishman Loudbox 100; Rivera Clubster Royale Recording Head & R212 cab; Laney Cub 10

  8. #8
    Registered User Mandobart's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ebony Tuner Buttons for Eastman ER-M El Rey mando?

    Quote Originally Posted by MikeEdgerton View Post
    Chances are you won't find Grover buttons in ebony either unless something has changed. Take a look at a set of Rubners.
    I've bought quite a few ebony Grover mini buttons (they fit the mando tuning machines as well as the mini-rotomatics) at Guitar Parts Factory over the years, but they don't appear to be available there anymore. I found a new source here at WD Music.

  9. #9
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ebony Tuner Buttons for Eastman ER-M El Rey mando?

    You won't find the round mandolin buttons though unfortunately. AllParts.com had them for a while.
    "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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