Klusons on Slotted 12-String Headstock?

[joe emery]

Hi- I have a question about Kluson tuners used on Rickenbacker 12-strings. I'm trying to do a custom build with a slotted headstock and the Klusons I've seen on Fenders/Gibsons have a barrel length of approximately 1" if you measure from the base of the tuner housing. My question is do the Klusons Rickenbacker uses have a longer barrel length? I don't see how it's possible to make the ones with a 1" barrel work. Your headstock can't be thicker than 1/2" or the tuners that are mounted in the regular spots don't come up high enough out of the face of the headstock. And the ones that go on the sides get in the way because you have to cut your slot too close to the other tuner holes. Any info/advice is appreciated...

Thanks,
Joe Emery

[johnhall]

We stock two different lengths of keys. As I recall, a standard 12-string set has four of one length and eight of the other to work out properly, given our curved slots. Sorry, but I don't recall the lengths off the top of my head.

[joe emery]

OK, this is helpful to know. Do you happen to know if you guys have them custom-made? I see that the company TonePros carries a Kluson that's slightly longer but I believe the hole size is larger because the bushing screws in. Otherwise, all the Klusons currently available that I'm seeing are that 1" length. Is there some place that offers them in different sizes?

[jingle_jangle]

I've seen Klusons with 1 1/8" long posts listed somewhere, so they are available. Anyone analyzing the geometry of a Rick 12 headstock will quickly see how many different factors are present in the layout and proper execution...it's not only elegant-looking, it's brilliant engineering-wise, too.

[joe emery]

I found some Klusons on the Elderly Instruments site that are evidently manufactured to "original specs" with a 1 1/16" shaft. I ordered those and will give them a shot. I agree that the Rickenbacker slotted headstock is very cool looking, and having the shorter length headstock size allows for a better string break across the nut -- which may be essential in my case since I'm trying to do my custom build with a flat headstock instead of an angled one.

Thanks,
Joe

[clsatt]

another option, if you want to get crazy, would be to rout a recess... maybe an 1/8th" from the edge for the verticle tuners to sit in.