Klusons vs. Sta-Tites

[sloop_john_b]

I'm looking for advice on what tuners to use for a project. My preferred Rick tuners are the 60's Kluson type, but I really love the look of the Sta-Tites. I've never used them, though. Do they hold/work as well as the Klusons? Any reason they shouldn't be considered? Keep in mind that the instrument they're being used on will be far from wall art...

[jingle_jangle]

I've been using Sta-Tites on projects for awhile now. The newer ones are made to much better tolerances than the old ones, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them. They fit the Kluson footprint, too.

[sloop_john_b]

Thanks Paul! I think I'll go with them. Are these the right ones? If not, where do you get 'em?

Edit: on second look, the buttons don't seem to have the distinct shape that they usually do.

[admin]

John: While we wait for Paul, I think you may be looking for the butter-bean style as opposed to the round button type.

Is this it, Stat-tite 18:1 ratio butter-bean? Paul?

18to1butterbean.jpg

[sloop_john_b]

Absotively, Peter! The butterbean is it.

[jps]

Are you posilutely sure those are the ones you want, John?

[libratune]

For what it is worth, I am looking at the back of my 325C58 JG (for another thread) and it has the Grover Sta-Tites, but a lesser gear ratio. I can't count gear flanges that well, but it's definitely not 18, more like 12. Also, again FWIW, the ones I am looking at don't have "Grover" etched into the metal and the gears are chrome/nickel, not brass like the ones in the ebay ad. Then again, RIC may have had these custom made for the reissue, so maybe they're not available for general purchase.

Stew-Mac has 18:1 Grover Sta-Tites with a brass gear.

I am no expert. I simply observe and report.

[beatlefreak]

That's a decent price Stew-Mac has on the sta-tites. I put a set on my 325V59, and am very happy with them.

[admin]

Ron: These are different tuners that the Ric-Tites but I believe that John was referring to the Grovers. Perhaps Paul will comment further as to the keywinds he uses.

rictite.jpg

18to1butterbean.jpg

[ken_j]

Stewmac also sells the Waverly tuners that many high end guitar manufacturers are using. http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tuners/Guit ... _Knob.html
Schaller also makes this type of tuner. http://guitar-machine-heads.com/hp13515 ... intage.htm

63___ST6%20Vintage.jpg

[jingle_jangle]

John: While we wait for Paul, I think you may be looking for the butter-bean style as opposed to the round button type.

Is this it, Stat-tite 18:1 ratio butter-bean? Paul?

18to1butterbean.jpg

Yep.

[sloop_john_b]

Thanks for steering me in the right direction, fellas.

Now, 'splain this one: $37.37 for the Grovers, but $143.90 for the Waverlys?

[jingle_jangle]

Erlewine's salary?

[egosheep]

Thanks for steering me in the right direction, fellas.

Now, 'splain this one: $37.37 for the Grovers, but $143.90 for the Waverlys?

I would go with the schallers, they look the most like the vintage sta-tites(besides the Ric-Tites), and they have to be cheaper than the Ric-Tites. IMO, the 18-1 brass gears are really unattractive, compared with the real deal.

[johneek]

Thanks for steering me in the right direction, fellas.

Now, 'splain this one: $37.37 for the Grovers, but $143.90 for the Waverlys?

No explanation from me...at least not a reasonable one. FWIW, I have the Grovers on my Custom 350 and they have been great.