Tuners for 650?

Modern years of Rickenbacker Guitars from 1984 to the present

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eatswodo
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Tuners for 650?

Post by eatswodo »

I love just about everything about my 650D - except for the machine heads. The much-vaunted Schallers I find mushy and imprecise. I do realize that this may have something to do with the way the nut is cut (the least impressive piece on my otherwise *splendid* guitar), but I do wonder about replacing the stock 'keywinds'.

I'm tempted by a set of locking tuners, but would like something which is as close to an exact replacement as possible, so that I don't have to fill existing holes and drill extra ones. Any suggestions? Sperzel? Gotoh? Others?

Cheers,
David
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dannyboy
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Post by dannyboy »

David, maybe you should contact Mark the MD about that. I own a 650S and I tought I had the same nut problem...until he showed me step by step how to adjust the guitar...and it seems that my tuning problem has gone away at the same time!
DannyBoy :)
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markthemd
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Post by markthemd »

If you still have those emails , forward them .
So you too want yours "ALAPWOB"?!?!
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dannyboy
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Post by dannyboy »

Sorry that I'm a bit late but it's done! David, I have just send you the Emails between Mark and myself to help you! The only thing is I was too dumb to print them before forwarding...so I just lost all of it!! So I hope that you receive the Emails without problems, David!!??
DannyBoy :)
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markthemd
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Post by markthemd »

I would suggest Gotohs .
I use them on all the guitars that I build and on my own personal guitars .
Of the 28 guitars that I own , only three still have their stock tuners on them .All the rest are Gotoh replacements or upgrades.
So you too want yours "ALAPWOB"?!?!
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eatswodo
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Post by eatswodo »

Thanks, Dan.... the emails have not arrived, but it's my fault - my address changed a while ago, and I have neglected to update it here in the forum. I'll email you privately....

Also, thanks, Mark - I've had numerous guitars with Gotohs on them (including my current Danelectro), and will seriously consider them.
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dannyboy
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Post by dannyboy »

Well Mark, you can rest in peace...I have found the Emails...so you don't have to go through the whole tedious explaining once again !!! I still owe you one...and you never know...I just might find myself in Seattle one day to have that beer with you!!!
DannyBoy :)
Nowhere man please listen, you don't know what you're missing...
ricnvolved

Post by ricnvolved »

This is to put in a mention for Hipshot tuners. The word I'm hearing is that they have high quality hardware at a fair price.
philco
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Post by philco »

I had problems with my new 650D staying in tune at first. I fixed the problem by tightening the the screws that hold the thumb paddle to the tuner shaft. Also, make sure the mounting nut and screw are tight on your tuning keys. They tend to be loose on new guitars after the wood seasons and shrinks back a bit. All mine were loose as my guitar had set in stock for several months. The skinny B and E strings just took a while to settle in as well. I try to NEVER release tension on my strings, so I tune UP very carefully so I will never tune too high and have to release tension on the strings. The 650D has a very shallow cut nut, so the string should not be sticking in the nut, but that is a common cause of tuning problems. You might want to consider some nut lubricant as well. Some people just use graphite from a pencil lead.
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