Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I want to replace the machine heads on my 660/12.

The original Schallers have a lot of slack and some stick a little. It stays in tune once you get it there, but getting it there can be a pain.

Are the ones that come stock the same as the after market Schallers? Is it normal for Schallers to be sloppy and sticky? Is there a better upgrade? What about locking tuners for a 12 string? I like Sperzel locking tuners, on my sixers.

(I've researched this but hard to find anything definitive, even Schaller themselves couldn't tell me which of their tuners fit).

Thanx...

Welcome to the forum. It's possible that the problem is in the guitar's nut, not the tuners - Especially if your not using Rickenbacker strings. The RIC strings are a kind of hybrid 10 gauge set, with smaller gauges on the lower strings than a regular set. The nut slots are cut accordingly, so slightly heavier gauges can tend to stick in the slots.

Welcome, Jeremy.

IIRC, the 660 and 660/12 has repro vintage Kluson tuners, not the standard Schallers [b]RIC[/b] uses on the bulk of their guitars. Can you post pics of yours?

Thanx for the welcome and quick replies...

Nah the nuts fine and I'm using stnd Ricky compressed strings. I know it's the tuners themselves.

They are made in Germany mini Schallers, with the 'S' on them.

Edit; wait I'm a dumbass, I just noticed I typed 660 it should be 360/12. Doh, sorry. I guess that would make a difference huh? lol

CappuccinoKid wrote:Edit; wait I'm a dumbass, I just noticed I typed 660 it should be 360/12. Doh, sorry. I guess that would make a difference huh? lol

That makes a world of a difference!

jps wrote:That makes a world of a difference!

Yes, most certainly. So in light of my typo, any ideas on machines heads?

Welcome Jeremy!

Nice P200---there are a couple of us scooterists on the board.

I've had to replace tuners on two Rickenbacker from the 1998-99 period, one was new 370/12 from the factory, the other a 360/12v64. IMO the tuner gears themselves are defective.

Hi Colin, thanx, yeah that be me sometime in the early eightees Jam shoes, black 3 button & Parka lol. Only pic I have left of meself.
The scoot was a 1980 PX125 that I fitted with a 185 kit, actually now I think about it whenever the 125cc learner law changed was just before that pic was taken as I was riding a Jet 200 before, 82 maybe?. Without all the shiny "stuff" on it it was faster than a stock 200. Kept it till it was stolen in London around '86.

radioactive wrote:...IMO the tuner gears themselves are defective.

That's what I was wondering. Mines a 2002 but it don't mean the tuners are.

I know often companies will sell huge lots of a product, to other companies, that are maybe not as good as the ones they package for retail.

I just don't want to buy new Schallers and they be no better. I know Grovers and Sperzels, but have had no experience with Schallers before.

Schallers are excellent tuners, for the most part. Any manufacturer can and do occasionally produce problem items, however.