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Thread: Gotoh Replacement Tuner Buttons

  1. #1
    Picker and Grinner John Gass's Avatar
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    Default Gotoh Replacement Tuner Buttons

    I have a The Loar LM70" with the gold Gotoh tuners and am wanting to replace the buttons with something less plastic looking. Where could I find something for this? They are the slip on type with a screw and not glued on.
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  2. #2
    Mandogenerator Mike Black's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gotoh Replacement Tuner Buttons

    Siminoff has a lot of variations on buttons for the Gotoh tuners.

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    Default Re: Gotoh Replacement Tuner Buttons

    hi mike. I have been looking for tuner buttons to fit gotoh tuners on the Kentucky 1500 1988.do you have a source that may have what I need ? ledbailey thanks

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    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gotoh Replacement Tuner Buttons

    You can buy real mother-of-pearl buttons for both the new style and old style Gotoh tuners on eBay. Pull a button. If the shaft is square the buttons sold by www.stewmac.com for their Waverly and Golden age tuners will fit.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
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    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
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    Default Re: Gotoh Replacement Tuner Buttons

    The square shafts on my 1980s Kentucky Japanese mandolin instruments measure 3.25MM. The Stew-Mac buttons are cut for a 2.9MM square shaft. I posted an inquiry in the builders / repair forum seeking a source for replacement buttons measuring 3.25MM. Best, Sam Rawlins, Atlanta, GA
    Last edited by tryingtopick; May-13-2018 at 5:24pm. Reason: clarity

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  9. #6
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gotoh Replacement Tuner Buttons

    I have an older set of Gotoh's and a set of Waverly tuners. The buttons are interchangeable. Unless something has changed since Paul Hostetter did this comparison page I don't know what to tell you.

    The other thing I wouldn't know about would be if Saga was making those fake Gotoh tuners that early and had made them with square shafts. I had a set of what I thought were Gotoh's but were actually Saga tuners. The only difference was that the Saga shafts were larger. Other wise the screw sizes were even the same.
    "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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    Default Re: Gotoh Replacement Tuner Buttons

    I googled this siminoff an it tells us he has retired .having said that I am not shure if the new management is only selling strings . if anyone knows more about this company please let all the members know. ledbailey

  12. #8
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gotoh Replacement Tuner Buttons

    If you're talking about Roger Siminoff it's well known that he retired a few years ago. If you're looking for Gotoh stuff you won't find it there.

    Find someone that has a digital caliper and see what size the squares are on the shafts of your tuners.
    "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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    Registered User Ivan Kelsall's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gotoh Replacement Tuner Buttons

    Mike - Many thanks for the link back to Paul Hostetter's button comparison item. I see that if that still holds,then the buttons on my Ellis MA40 tuners are classed as 'new' - & they do have the little 'collar' around the hole.

    So,are black ones of this type available ?. Just in case i decide to try to remove all the buttons from my Ellis,
    Ivan
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  16. #10
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gotoh Replacement Tuner Buttons

    I think someone said they might be at AllParts. I'd contact them. You're limited to Gotoh buttons for these as far as I know. You could also see if Ellis might have them. Those are the newer tuners.
    "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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  18. #11
    Registered User Ivan Kelsall's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gotoh Replacement Tuner Buttons

    Hi Mike - I checked out Allparts UK,they didn't have them & they seemed to think that they'd have trouble getting them from the US as well. However,i haven't checked out Allparts US myself yet. I did contact Gotoh directly last year,but they won't supply buttons on their own,you have to buy the complete tuner sets. Maybe we shouldn't buy from manufacturers who won't supply 'spare' items ?.

    Many thanks for the info.,
    Ivan
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  20. #12
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gotoh Replacement Tuner Buttons

    I'll see if I can find the post where somebody found them a while back.
    "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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  22. #13
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    Default Re: Gotoh Replacement Tuner Buttons

    hi folks. it seems that these gotoh buttons are scarce even though many mandolins have them. I contacted saga twice as they supply Kentucky mandos and never heard a word back. I had a problem with my martin D35p and got quick repairs done .it has a life time warranty . I too contacted gotoh japan also never did hear back. there is some nice members willing to help us find them thanks Mike Edgerton. ledbailey

  23. #14
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gotoh Replacement Tuner Buttons

    To say this has been a hot topic for years is an understatement. I can't find the post I think I remember.
    "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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  25. #15
    Registered User Ivan Kelsall's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gotoh Replacement Tuner Buttons

    To expand on my note in my last post - " Maybe we shouldn't buy from manufacturers who won't supply 'spare' items ?."

    Whilst not wishing to be 'anti' any Co.,they should understand that the more fragile items that they supply, can & do get damaged.
    To that end,IMHO they should be prepared to supply spares & / or replacement sets,& not to expect people to buy complete tuner sets,which,to my way of thinking,is a tad on the ignorant side of things. The tuner buttons must be made in their 10's of Ks,& to refuse to supply either spares or replacement sets,is simply wrong,
    Ivan
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  27. #16
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gotoh Replacement Tuner Buttons

    The better answer would be for everyone to adapt one square sized mount. Problem solved.
    "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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  29. #17
    Registered User Ivan Kelsall's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gotoh Replacement Tuner Buttons

    I tend to agree Mike - but !. That would mean change = cost. To simply supply spares,nothing needs to change except the attitude of the manufacturers - they might even make some cash out of it as well ?,
    Ivan
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  31. #18
    Registered User Ivan Kelsall's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gotoh Replacement Tuner Buttons

    Well,kudos to Allparts for not forgetting an enquiry !!. I received an e-mail this morning. They've managed to source a set of 8 Ebony Gotoh tuner buttons from the US. I sent them the pic. in post #17 for them to compare them to. If they are the right ones,then i suppose that i'll be obliged to buy them - no problem with that,but as i mentioned previously,3 of the Ivory buttons just wouldn't budge.
    I might have to warm 'em up a bit !!,
    Ivan
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  32. #19
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gotoh Replacement Tuner Buttons

    Very cool.

    Hit the ones that stuck with some heat from a hair dryer. I've had to pull pretty hard on a few but I've never had to heat one up.
    "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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  34. #20

    Default Re: Gotoh Replacement Tuner Buttons

    Hi All

    Josh Gemmell at Japarts.ca was able to get Gotoh tuner buttons for me. They were the tuners supplied on my Pava Pro A style.

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  36. #21
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    Default Re: Gotoh Replacement Tuner Buttons

    hi mike Edgerton. I took your advise and measured the shafts on my 1988 Kentucky 1500. they are square and are 2.5 mm .I did bring up Stewmacs site and again you were right they sell the Waverly buttons the same size as Gotoh . I am guessing by the forum comments these are the older shaft style buttons.? they have them in ivoried and ebony. at least NOW I know the style and size I need thanks mike!! I hope this clears up anybody else questions . Ledbailey

  37. #22
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gotoh Replacement Tuner Buttons

    Yes they are the older style. You have some great options available. You can also get real mother of pearl buttons on eBay. If you want to consider that I'll try and find the link.
    "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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  39. #23
    Registered User Ivan Kelsall's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gotoh Replacement Tuner Buttons

    The guy at Allparts checked the buttons against the pics. i sent,& it looks like they're the right ones. I'm just waiting for a price,
    Ivan
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    Lebeda F-5 "Special".
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    Ellis DeLuxe "A" style.

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  41. #24
    Registered User Ivan Kelsall's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gotoh Replacement Tuner Buttons

    The buttons are on their way - £24 UK - £28.80 UK inc.postage. Of course having been imported from the US,there will have been a bit of a price hike (?). I just hope that i can get all the old ones off without damaging them,
    Ivan
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    Lebeda F-5 "Special".
    Stelling Bellflower BANJO
    Tokai - 'Tele-alike'.
    Ellis DeLuxe "A" style.

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  43. #25
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    Default Re: Gotoh Replacement Tuner Buttons

    I did see some pearl on eBay 2 different sites but the price was aprox 85 US. dollars that would be at least 100 plus shipping cdn. if you come across some for a little less or free shipping please let me know. also I would like your opinion on which might look better ebony or fake pearl from Stewmacs for Waverly tuners on my 1500. please see pics. Ledbailey

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