Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I'm looking for a set of (relic'd, if possible) replacement nickel single-line oval metal button 3X3 Klusons that would actually fit my '64 460 without any need for modification...been looking at a variety of sites and my head is starting to spin. As I'm, for now, somewhat illiterate in terms of hole size, shaft length, adapter bushings (man, this is starting to sound dirty) I thought I'd ask the vintage experts here and hopefully save a little time. Anyone have a source / site where I can get these little fellers?
Thanks!

The reissues aren't quite like originals, the embossed logo is different, among other details.

Originals are often $300 a set though (for single lines). I don't know of anybody that offers relicked tuners, but reissue Klusons are available all over and you could easily relic them yourself.

Thanks Colin. So to clarify, the reissue Klusons should fit just fine in the 460, with no unsavory drilling, etc. needed?

BTW, what's a good way to relic these tuners? I can think of lots of nasty procedures but I'd be concerned about the potential to impact their subsequent performance.

collin wrote:The reissues aren't quite like originals, the embossed logo is different, among other details.

Originals are often $300 a set though (for single lines). I don't know of anybody that offers relicked tuners, but reissue Klusons are available all over and you could easily relic them yourself.

He said "relicked"!

chronictown wrote:Thanks Colin. So to clarify, the reissue Klusons should fit just fine in the 460, with no unsavory drilling, etc. needed?

BTW, what's a good way to relic these tuners? I can think of lots of nasty procedures but I'd be concerned about the potential to impact their subsequent performance.

IMO, get the Gotoh Vintage Style tuners. They look the exact same as vintage Klusons minus the logo, but work just as good and are way cheaper than the so-called 'Reissues'. (Which arn't reissues at all, since as it's been stated theres a world of things different about those too)

I saw those Gotoh tuners on the Windfield Vintage site...they listed the price as $35, which I assumed to be for each tuner but perhaps that is for the entire set after all, if they are indeed cheaper than the reissues. I've seen the reissue Korean-made single line Klusons on eBay for around $35-40 for a set. If the Gotohs are a superior brand then I'll probably grab a set of those. Thanks!

chronictown wrote:I saw those Gotoh tuners on the Windfield Vintage site...they listed the price as $35, which I assumed to be for each tuner but perhaps that is for the entire set after all, if they are indeed cheaper than the reissues. I've seen the reissue Korean-made single line Klusons on eBay for around $35-40 for a set. If the Gotohs are a superior brand then I'll probably grab a set of those. Thanks!

I replaced the original Kluson's that were on my Rick with the Gotoh's. With the reissues... you're paying money for a brandname that has almost no similarities with the original Kluson keys.

jingle_jangle wrote:

collin wrote:The reissues aren't quite like originals, the embossed logo is different, among other details.

Originals are often $300 a set though (for single lines). I don't know of anybody that offers relicked tuners, but reissue Klusons are available all over and you could easily relic them yourself.

He said "relicked"!

That was ALL for you, bud....true story.

+1 on the gotoh or RIC tuners, go for functionality over logo or number of lines

Thanks muchly, guys - I'll take your advice on opting for functionality.

Now I just need to look into relicking my set

chronictown wrote:Thanks muchly, guys - I'll take your advice on opting for functionality.

Now I just need to look into relicking my set

Wipe them off please.

For functionality you simply can't beat the Schaller ST6K key which drop right in. They also have a new key:



Schaller ST6B

This one is great and we're switching over to these (with a RIC Deluxe marking) fairly shortly.

Gee, I've been sitting here with the Dremel and a tiny buffing wheel de-relicking (unrelicking?) a set of Klusons. Maybe I could collect all the tarnish that comes off of them and send it to you. You could glue it on. If the Schaller minis that I have sitting around would have fit in the same holes, I probably would have dumpstered them. They look like they were stored on the bottom of the ocean. Guess I'm just not into the whole relic thing.

The two original single-lines that are on there now are moderately tarnished, so in replacing the other four non-original, non-period tuners I simply wanted everything to match, aesthetics-wise. Guess I'm like Rain Man.

But de-relicked tarnish with glue...bring it on! Sounds like a fun way to pass the afternoon.