First mod to my 408 a week or so away

[CoreyT]

OK, I have my eyes on these.
Ebony Tuner Buttons (Phase III)

Is it as easy as taking out the little screw at the end of the button, tugging it off the tuning shaft, then sliding the new one on, and reinstall the new screws?
I have this handy dandy kit I have already used to replace my stock TRC for the forum one.

I also bought the black 408 pickup rings several months back, and started to put one on but stopped.
I freaked out as the pickup height started to change and got all out of spec..
It would be nice if you could swap rings without messing up the pickup height.
Needless to say I panicked and took my 408 to my dealer and had the tech set it back to the factory height.
I would have had it all messed up.
Maybe someday when I take the 408 in for its first free checkup and adjustment I will have them swap out the creme rings for the black ones.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

OK, I have my eyes on these.
Ebony Tuner Buttons (Phase III)

Is it as easy as taking out the little screw at the end of the button, tugging it off the tuning shaft, then sliding the new one on, and reinstall the new screws?

Yes.
But loosen the tension on the gear by slacking (or removing) the strings.

 

[CoreyT]

Thanks Sergio.
I think I would just down tune it so there is a lotta slack, then re-tune after the new ones are on.
I think those will look good with the antique natural finish.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

I think they'll look nice too, I have a set on my SE "O" and swapped while tuned to pitch... Not the smartest idea I've ever had.

 

[CoreyT]

Thanks.

Saw some cheaper ones on Stew-Mac, but not sure of the quality.
Just ordered these from PRS, sure I will see them early next week.

Other than these, my 408 is stone stock with the exception of dealer setup to compensate for EB Cobalts in 9-42 instead of the factory 10-46.
I run 9s on everything, even the 24.5" scale Santana.
Got use to 9s as a kid playing, and I even tried 10s but did not like them back then, and even tried extra Super Slinkies which I think are 8s.
Those were way to thin for me, and 9s seem to work best for me on any scale length I play.

 

[toothace]

I picked up the black pickup rings for my 408…next string change they are getting installed.

 

[CoreyT]

Looks like I will attempt the install two weekends from now.

Scheduled For Early Delivery On:
Wednesday, 02/05/2014
Originally Scheduled For Delivery On:
Thursday, 02/06/2014

 

[sergiodeblanc]

Nice!

 

[CoreyT]

Thanks!

Well they showed up yesterday, very nice, I think these will add a nice touch.
OK, so I will slacken the strings some, but when you pull the screw out, do the tuner knobs just pull straight off, or are they also threaded on?
Not sure how much I will have to slacken the strings yet...

 

[ChrisCst22]

They will pull right off. Be careful because if you push down while turning without the screw threaded, it will begin to push the guts of the tuner out the side! So keep an eye on the black circles on the side. I'm really not describing it well but not sure how else to.

 

[CoreyT]

Thanks Chris.
So you mean after I pull off the stock one, then when I go to push the new one on, there is a chance the tuner can fall apart?
Push it on first all the way, then put the screw in and tighten it before trying to tune the strings back up.

I hate screwing stuff up, so I hope this goes well.
Now if I was working on my FJ, no problems.
Guitars you have to be much more delicate.

 

[CoreyT]

OK, this was an easy mod, perhaps more easy than installing Schaller Strap Locks, no really.

Put my guitar into that Grundorf guitar work bench I bought several month ago.
Although I had the bench on the floor though and used a camping headlamp to illuminate the tuner buttons and screws.

I did not slacken any of the strings, but I was careful with the low E string which I did first.
The button pulled off the shaft easily after the screw was back out enough.
Behind where the button was is a small sleeve that you have to make sure lays flush after you put the new tuner in, piece of cake.
Put new button on the shaft, inserted the screw, held the button tight, and tightened up the new screw until it was good and tight.
I used the new screws that came with the buttons as they are slightly different looking at the head, probably made that way to fit the hole in the ebony tuner better than the stock screw, not sure.

Here are a few pics.

Half stock nickle ones, half of the new ebony ones

Rear shot of both stock and the new ones

I like the new look

Close up shot

 

[vchizzle]

Lookin' good!