Tuning Machines for an old Harmony

[dhoenisch]

I finished "restoring" my 1969 Harmony H942, and as much as it's going to kill me, I think I need to upgrade the tuning machines. In a thread I started a while ago, I explained that I purchased a set and a half of the tuning machines, along with my half set, and a long search for the proper bushings to get one complete set. Well, they just don't seem to want to work very well on my guitar. You dang near need a pliers to tune the thing, even though I've lubricated the heck out of them and adjusted the tension on the post screws. Anyhow, Can anyone suggest a decent set of tuning machines for my guitar where I won't have to make any modifications to the headstock at all? Basically, if I ever do find a really good set of tuning machines, I'll want to install them on the guitar. Normally, I like the Harmony tuning machines, but this set is driving me nuts. Maybe there were slight differences in the sizes of the gears or something that makes it hard to turn under tension. I don't know.

 

Thanks for any and all help on this, and also, thank you for all of the help you all have always given me, either directly or indirectly, on this board.

 

Dan

[Freeman Keller]

What I always recommend here is to pull the existing ones out, take a pair of digital calipers and measure everything, and then sit down with the StewMac web page and start comparing dimensions with the "spec" tabs of all their tuners. They also have some bushings and other parts available individually that might make the swap work. What you are looking for is shaft diameter and length, whether bushings press into the headstock and if so ID, OD and type of knurling or if they are threaded on to the shaft the hole size, recommended hole spacing between tuners (so they won't run into each other). Most of StewMac's measurements will be decimal English but often tuners are actually metric. The little mounting screws almost never line up - fill the old holes and drill new ones. Worst case you might have to have a machinist ream a bushing to fit or do some other modifications.

 

I have replaced the Rotomatics on my Martin with Gotohs and the pieces of junk on my Yamie with vintage style Grovers. Both required a little work, but were worth it in the end.

[T.B.]

Dan I have some 3 on the plate tuning machines off an old Yamaha FG-75, there missing 6 bushings and three of those tiny screws that fit in 4 holes on one plate are missing. If you want, email me and I'll mail them out to ya. They look like this - http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-YAMAHA-RED-LABLE-JAPAN-FG-75-GUITAR-AS-IS_W0QQitemZ270186347315QQihZ017QQcategoryZ33033QQcmdZViewItem

 

Trina

 

P.S. The MSN Messenger isn't activated, but you can get my email address none the same.

[dhoenisch]

Freeman, thanks for the advice. I would have actually done that, but my dial calipers aren't taking correct measurements, and I just haven't taken my lazy butt to the store to get a new caliper (I hate stores/shopping). I was just hoping that someone with a Harmony who swapped tuning machines would have chimed in.

 

Trina, E-mail sent.

 

Dan

[T.B.]

 

Freeman, thanks for the advice. I would have actually done that, but my dial calipers aren't taking correct measurements, and I just haven't taken my lazy butt to the store to get a new caliper (I hate stores/shopping). I was just hoping that someone with a Harmony who swapped tuning machines would have chimed in. Trina, E-mail sent. Dan

 

 

OK, I haven't received the info yet but when I do, I'll mail them out today.

 

Trina

[T.B.]

 

Trina, E-mail sent . Dan

 

 

Dan,

 

Checked my email a no go; I'll check back and I'll get the tuners out tomorrow.

 

Trina