Anyone know anything about mandolins?

[jerime]

I've got a problem. I got a Rogue mandolin really cheap to try out. Well the reason it was cheap because the tuners suck on it. I've bought replacement ones but they didn't fit (my bad for not measuring first). I've found that the standard in mandolin tuner peg spacing is 29/32". Well the Rogue is about 1 and 1/16". And of course I can't seem to find tuners that look like they will fit.

 

Any ideas? The original tuners aren't completely gone. They jiggle and don't hold tuner very well though.

[daklander]

I can't help and actually have the same problem though with a different spacing on my mando. I bought a cheapy mando too and though the tuners were ok I wanted pearl knobs so I ordered a set. Yep, 29/32" when I need 31/32".

All I can say is good luck. You might try GC or MF.

[whit townsend]

Call Elderly. They may can help.

Course if they can the tuners may cost as much as your mando.

[DaveAronow]

Alot of times it is not the tuners themselves.

These inexpensive mandolins usually have very crappy plastic nuts and the slots are cut extremely poorly.

I am not ripping on your instrument.

I like to buy inexpensive ones too sometimes, but I usually find they need a little work.

 

THeres a good chance that what is happening is that the strings are binding in the poorly cut nut.

Try a little pencil lead graphite for lubrication, and retune.

Also wouldnt hurt to lube the bridge in the same way.

 

Be sure also, to check to make sure your stings are wound properly and have enough wind around the post.

 

It is a fact that tuning issues usually dont involve the tuners.

 

The type of gears they use in tuners have been around for hundreds of years and they are extremely stable.

It is nearly impossible to get a post's gear to actually turn the peg's gear.

There are circumstances when it can happen, such as poorly fitting gears, or stripped or worn gears, but even in these cases, it is very rare.

 

You did mention yours giggle.

See if there is a screw on the end of the tuner knob. If so, a little tightening might help. Tighten it just enough to where it stops giggling. This may help.

 

Also, your tuners may not be mounted properly or tight enough.

 

The whole tuner itself may be spinning because it might be loose.

Tighten up every part of the tuner that you have access to and reassess the situation.

 

 

Good luck, check the winds and nut and bridge.

You just might find this is salvageable.

 

If not, thats what they make wood chippers for.

[redriverensemb]

Italian bowlback.

[Tony Burns]

I love bowl backs - have a few of them ( one gorgeous George Washburn -especially )- brazilian rosewood and their cheap on the market now ( easy to find one in the fifty bucks range ) the same problem thou , alot of them as well as new ones dont have a standard when it comes to tuners -- I almost messed up an old banjo mandolin trying to put a set of grovers on it - personnaly i think trying to better a cheap mandolin is self destructive - look for something a little better -- theres alot of mandolins super cheap used ( at least Ive always thought that way - considering the 20's mandolin craze ) you might make something a litle bit better , but its still a cheapy

[Chief Ten Beers]

I've got a problem. I got a Rogue mandolin really cheap to try out. Well the reason it was cheap because the tuners suck on it. I've bought replacement ones but they didn't fit (my bad for not measuring first). I've found that the standard in mandolin tuner peg spacing is 29/32". Well the Rogue is about 1 and 1/16". And of course I can't seem to find tuners that look like they will fit. Any ideas? The original tuners aren't completely gone. They jiggle and don't hold tuner very well though.

seriously...get a better mandolin if your going to take it at least half way serious.you'll never get it a rogue to stay in tune very well and it's not worth investing in trying to upgrade it.

[daklander]

 

Call Elderly. They may can help. Course if they can the tuners may cost as much as your mando.

 

 

I checked with Elderly time ago about tuners to fit my mandolin and they, at the time, didn't have them, nor did Stew-Mac or Janet Davis Music. About the best chance of obtaining tuners to fit would be through the retailer's parts department.