HELP! VINTAGE TUNERS ON SC ARTIST PACKAGE!

[PRSin413]

Hello all. After purchasing a beautiful Singlecut Artist Package guitar from the famous Rudy's in NYC I've come to despise the vintage 'Kluson' style tuners that came stock, you know the ugly yellow looking buttons. I've contacted PRS direct on this issue and they tell me that the Artist Package models equipped w/ vintage tuners have a thinner headstock to accommodate the vintage tuners (which in my opinion is a BAD MOVE, sacrificing wood for hardware :iamconfused Now my dilemma, PRS is saying any other PRS tuner will result in an improper string angle over the nut due to this 'thinner headstock'. Does anyone here know of any non-vintage tuner (ie: locking/open-back) that will work on the thinner headstock? Has PRS addressed this issue and made available an alternative tuner that will work? My stock tuners are VERY loose and I need to find an upgrade soon. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

 

[yankeebulldog]

These are drop in replacements although they look stock, more or less, they are locking:

http://www.mojotone.com/guitar-part...de-Lock-Machine-Head-Ivoroid-Nic#.U4fBbi9ByS8

I have them on my Ted SC245. I didn't have to replace the bushings. Just about any other's I've seen require a larger hole.

 

[László]

I've contacted PRS direct on this issue and they tell me that the Artist Package models equipped w/ vintage tuners have a thinner headstock to accommodate the vintage tuners (which in my opinion is a BAD MOVE, sacrificing wood for hardware :iamconfused

They don't use the vintage tuners on any current SC model.

The thinner headstock was actually a feature that came out on the original McCarty when Ted McCarty was working with Paul. It was done because at the time both felt that the thinner headstock promoted a better tone, and this was stated in several interviews and magazine reviews at the time (I had two of the early Singlecuts with the Kluson style tuners, one an Artist Package, as well as a couple of McCartys, and did quite a bit of research on this before buying at the time).

Obviously, Paul changed his thinking on this several years ago, and came out with the 2 piece bridge for the SC245, something that I think sounds great.

 

[PRSin413]

I'm trying to avoid vintage tuners all together. Thanks though.

 

[PRSin413]

Thanks for the info.

 

[vox801]

They don't use the vintage tuners on any current SC model.

The thinner headstock was actually a feature that came out on the original McCarty when Ted McCarty was working with Paul. It was done because at the time both felt that the thinner headstock promoted a better tone, and this was stated in several interviews and magazine reviews at the time (I had two of the early Singlecuts with the Kluson style tuners, one an Artist Package, as well as a couple of McCartys, and did quite a bit of research on this before buying at the time).

Obviously, Paul changed his thinking on this several years ago, and came out with the 2 piece bridge for the SC245, something that I think sounds great.

best 2 piece bridge ever!

 

[DS_180]

Hello all. After purchasing a beautiful Singlecut Artist Package guitar from the famous Rudy's in NYC I've come to despise the vintage 'Kluson' style tuners that came stock, you know the ugly yellow looking buttons. I've contacted PRS direct on this issue and they tell me that the Artist Package models equipped w/ vintage tuners have a thinner headstock to accommodate the vintage tuners (which in my opinion is a BAD MOVE, sacrificing wood for hardware :iamconfused Now my dilemma, PRS is saying any other PRS tuner will result in an improper string angle over the nut due to this 'thinner headstock'. Does anyone here know of any non-vintage tuner (ie: locking/open-back) that will work on the thinner headstock? Has PRS addressed this issue and made available an alternative tuner that will work? My stock tuners are VERY loose and I need to find an upgrade soon. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

I'm in the same situation as you, having purchased a 2006 Singlecut Pre-lawsuit with the mentioned thinner headstock. In doing some research, I've found that Sperzel locking tuners (Trim-Lok) will make for a proper break angle for the strings. I custom ordered a set directly from Sperzel, having to specify a shorter post height and shorter bushing length for the mentioned thinner headstock. Didn't take long to receive the tuners from Sperzel, but I've yet to install them. I'll post again when I do. Keep in mind that you'd have to ream the tuner holes a little for the Sperzels.

You can check out this link for more info: http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=733159

 

[ADP]

Didn't someone around these parts successfully replace vintage tuners with phase III tuners? I wouldn't do it without checking first, but it's worth investigating.

 

[Woollymonster]

I'm trying to avoid vintage tuners all together. Thanks though.

Obviously locking tuners are a little faster to restring but what is wrong with vintage tuners? The Fender split shaft style are some of my favorites. I can string them up almost as fast as locking style and done properly they never slip. I am a little less fond of the Gibson/Martin style with the hole through shaft but still not worth altering an original instrument in my opinion.

I have seen a lot of players complain about vintage tuners that did not know how to string them. As with all else, there are tons of videos on the web showing how to do it fast and right.

Best of luck with it.

 

[FunkyFreeman]

These are drop in replacements although they look stock, more or less, they are locking:

http://www.mojotone.com/guitar-part...de-Lock-Machine-Head-Ivoroid-Nic#.U4fBbi9ByS8

I have them on my Ted SC245. I didn't have to replace the bushings. Just about any other's I've seen require a larger hole.

Used to own an 2006 20th Ann. Singlecut and I had the same issue with the vintage-style tuners. E-mailed the same question to PRS and had got the same reply. Some time later I sold her and buy a 2013 Custom 24.
If she were still with me, I would order this set of wonderful tuners for sure.
But honestly, the stock vintage tuners on that Singlecut stayed in tune very well. I just personally prefer the locking keys for the sake of convenience.

Thank you for your information anyway. ^^

 

[yankeebulldog]

Obviously locking tuners are a little faster to restring but what is wrong with vintage tuners? The Fender split shaft style are some of my favorites. I can string them up almost as fast as locking style and done properly they never slip. I am a little less fond of the Gibson/Martin style with the hole through shaft but still not worth altering an original instrument in my opinion.

I have seen a lot of players complain about vintage tuners that did not know how to string them. As with all else, there are tons of videos on the web showing how to do it fast and right.

Best of luck with it.

So, I've never seen keystone vintage style split shaft 3 on a side tuners for sale. Do they make such a thing aftermarket? The Tom Anderson Bulldog has those kind so they must.

 

[DS_180]

I have seen a lot of players complain about vintage tuners that did not know how to string them. As with all else, there are tons of videos on the web showing how to do it fast and right.

Yes, proper stringing is important. PRS has the proper method listed on their tuner setup page: https://www.prsguitars.com/csc/tuners.html