Reproduction Tuners
Over the years we have been asked to make many reproduction sets for old and valued instruments whose machine heads have deteriorated beyond use.
It is now generally accepted that antique instruments fitted with Rodgers reproduction machine heads, with the original sets kept with the instrument, fully maintain their authenticity and value.
If you wish to have a set of reproduction tuners made for your guitar, there are a few specifics that need to be addressed which I have listed below.
Getting advice
It is strongly recommended that the instrument is inspected and any new tuners are fitted by a Luthier.
Reverse Gearing
Some very old tuners are made with the old style of gear mechanism. This is where the gears are cut with the threads in the opposite direction to modern tuners with the worm and wheel reversed. We are able to offer gearing cut in the same direction allowing for exact reproduction machine heads without compromise.
Engraved Design
We can reproduce the engraved design and also the plate end profile shape. We can use any of the standard three materials for the side-plates, brass, nickel silver or sterling silver.
For sending this to me, you can either use photographs or send me the actual set. Please note that some old sets have real ivory and cannot be shipped.
Woodscrew hole Positions
The wood screw holes can be placed in the same positions as the original set but it is strongly recommended that the original holes in the headstock are filled and re-drilled.
Condition of headstock
With very old guitars, you will need to check that the string roller holes in the headstock are also in good condition. If they have been elongated due to wear, they should be re-bored to accurate centres to prevent the new string rollers and gears being distorted, causing undue wear. We can make larger string rollers (or bearing bushes) to accommodate the new size of hole.
String Rollers
Rollers can be made to any required length and diameter with custom string hole positions. They can even be tapered as some old Bouchet sets . Details for rollers sent from this form. More on string rollers here.
Buttons
We produce buttons for the tuners in several shapes and many different materials. We can also sometimes make custom shape buttons and use custom wood.
Plate Dimensions
Depending on how far you wish the new set to be a reproduction of the original is up to you. If you would prefer to just have a new set made with the same plate dimensions as the original but not worry about the engraving, then that is fine. All you need do in this case is to send us the dimensions of the set either by e-mail or use the form or change the details in shop. If you would prefer us to take the dimensions, you can send the set to us for measuring.
Please contact us first for details on sending old sets back to us.
Pricing
All specialised work like this is priced per hour and is quoted on an individual basis.
