Schaller – Phase I replacement

Mentalo87

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Dec 21, 2023
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So here is the thing : the Phase I locking tuners on my ’98 CE Drive me nuts. I love the locking mechanism but the gear ratio is just beyond sanity and the tuners show some signs of internal wear anyway. Somewhere around this forum I found a post were someone mentioned that the Schaller M6 180 standard or top locking tuners are a drop in replacement (except for the shared G&D mounting screw, which is an easy mod). So I did what every good internet disciple would do and ordered first (I went for the top locking ones) to do the measurements later, which I did just now. Murphy got me and there is an issue. The height of the string hole for the PRS phase I is somewhere around 24mm, the height of the Schallers is 19,7mm. The consequence will be a sharper breaking angle at the nut. Do you have some experience if this will result in some issues like tuning stability etc…?

 
If the string hole is above the front surface of the headstock, I wouldn't worry about it and would use the tuners.
 
I changed the tuners, they are perfect replacement. The exitplane of the strings is now deeper and the break angle a bit steeper, but due to the fact that the PRS headstock has a 10° angle it’s no fancy setup (Gibson has a much steeper angle). The tuning stability of the g string did improve and the gear ratio is much more convenient. Definitely a recommendation.



 
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interesting. what did you do about the shared G&D string tuner mounting screw?
 
I filed the screw holes down with a Dremel. You can tell by looking at the original ones that they did that at the PRS factory, too. Looks like a hack job.

I also contacted Schaller directly and asked if the could give the original tuners an overhaul. The CEO replied to me that they don’t have spare parts for the Phase I tuners anymore and that the new gears don’t fit the old housing.
 
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I only can recommend to take the guitar to a skilled guitar tech to make him get the guitar a perfect nut job with a new nut.
The changed angles will lead to higher friction on the nut - especially the wound bass strings are relevant for consideration.
If not your guitar will suffer detuning sensitivity.
 
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