I have a 61 reissue that I bought new last year. I’d like to change out the locking timer for the Klusens for more of a vintage look. Does anyone know if this will require holes to be drilled? Alternatively, can I change the buttons and will they fit?
Pics would help. Klusons with 10mm barrel should fit, but upper mounting screw will need to be added to each tuner.
No SG '61 Reissues were produced in 2019 that I am aware of. Perhaps you meant a 2019 SG Standard '61. In addition, none of the SG with the "61" designation come stock with Grovers from the factory that I am aware of either.
1. Some folks here have changed the buttons out with these... https://hipshotproducts.com/products/guitar-tuner-buttons?variant=43356140936 2. Change kidney beans to metal keystones... https://www.allparts.com/products/t...for-grover-tuners?_pos=1&_sid=0e09808d0&_ss=r 3. If you want what was stock... Gibson Deluxe Green Key Tuner Set, Vintage Nickel - Pearloid https://www.amazon.com/Gibson-Delux...ds=gibson+deluxe+tuners&qid=1606947431&sr=8-1 4. You can get the same tuner with a different badge for a fraction of the cost... Grover 135N https://www.amazon.com/Grover-135N-...=1&keywords=grover+135n&qid=1606947112&sr=8-2
I have done what you're describing. Change out the stock locking Grovers for old style Klusons. First I mounted the Klusons with just the nut on the front. Then you'll see that the lower screw hole doesn't quite line up. Instead of plugging the hole in the headstock and then drilling a new hole, I just elongated the hole in the Kluson to match up using a small round file. You will have to add the upper hole to the headstock though. Be careful, pre-punch/locate the hole and use the smallest drill bit you can. And don't go too deep.
Of course, there's also the Kluson Single Line Double Ring reproductions to consider. However, they would require adaptor bushings.
Were those photos taken with the same camera? The quality of the tuning machine body looks kind of poor on the Grover- slightly bulging, vertical lines indistinct, not a clean stamping like the Gibson tuner.
Tuner with Gibson stamp has a "P.W." stamp on reverse side. P.W. = Ping Works Pictured below: Tuners from 2000 SG Special. Pictured below: Gibson Deluxe - 2004 SG Special Grover Deluxe - purchased 2016 I would not be surprised if the tuner with Grover stamp also has a "P.W." stamp on reverse side. It's not going to be the same consistency as the tuner with the Gibson stamp because the two tuners were manufactured 12 years apart from each other.
