Replacing the Schaller tuners on a recent 360/12

halfgreyhound · Post by **halfgreyhound** » Sun Mar 26, 2006 8:06 pm

I am considering getting a recent 360/12 and replacing the stock tuners with vintage Gotoh made kluson style tuners [which are much better than the new Kluson reissues.] Are the holes in the headstock the same size? Will the reissue tuners cover the existing screw mounting holes? Will I need to buy the Mosrite type that have the hole in the side but not the "split shaft" like the Fenders? Please advise! Thanks much.

BobKat · Post by **BobKat** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 6:20 am

I have done this twice, on a 330/12 and a 370/12. The tuner holes do not line up at all, but the Kluson-style body does cover the old screw hole. It looked great both times I did it. I needed to *gently* ream out some of the tuner holes to accommodate the ferrules (not much, just a thousandth or three here and there on a couple of the holes.) Use a reamer, or you could do what I did and use a drill bit, on a reversible variable speed drill, **SLOWLY** and **BACKWARDS**. Be careful, do not let that drill bit grab. You could split the headstock. You may not even have that issue as most of them fit without any mods.
You could also use some sandpaper on a dowel that is a little undersized.

Good luck. I think you will love the look.

BobKat · Post by **BobKat** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 6:23 am

P.S.: I marked the holes for drilling by using painter's tape. I taped a strip over the headstock, aligned the tuners (poking a hole through the tape for the shaft, of course), and then using a small punch to make a "dent" in the tape where I wanted to drill. This kept the bit from wandering and avoided any scratches on the back of the headstock.

jdogric12 · Post by **jdogric12** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 9:35 am

Anybody know how long the rick Schallers had the "W" for West Germany? I remember my first rick ('91 360/12 FG) had the W. but later years I saw didn't.

chefothefuture · Post by **chefothefuture** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 7:31 am

A couple of points should be raised here-
You will need to use Rickenbacker's Kluson
style tuners as they have longer string posts- 1.125",
the regular Gotoh copies have posts that are too
short to span the slots fully. .965"
Also; the Schaller M6's require a 10mm peg hole.
The vintage style bushing uses a 11/32 peg hole.
Stew Mac has special bushings for this application.

BobKat · Post by **BobKat** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 5:53 am

Jason, I have to check my '92 610/12 and my '92 620.