Schaller – Phase I replacement

[Mentalo87]

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…?

 

[Senor Verde]

If the string hole is above the front surface of the headstock, I wouldn't worry about it and would use the tuners.

 

[Mentalo87]

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.

 

[Steve Dombroski]

interesting. what did you do about the shared G&D string tuner mounting screw?

 

[Mentalo87]

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.

 

[Maertl513]

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.