As some of you might know, I am working on a book on the history of mandolin family instruments, and one of the areas I can find little information about is the story of mechanical tuners. As far as I can tell, they started being used widely on guitars and mandolins after around 1820, but there seems to be little information on who made them and where. There were the Preston watch key tuners in the mid 18th century and William Gibson guittars made in Dublin from the 1760s which used mechanical tuners, which I suppose were hand made rather than manufactured in any great numbers.
I am planning to contact some people who know about early 19th century guitars to see what I can glean from them, but any other leads would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
graham
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