Question Locking Tuners on an old pinkburst AL

[banjoplayer]

Hello .... short question:

I intend to change the non-locking-tuners of my old pinkburst AL to a set of Schaller M6 Locking Tuners (which I think are the Locking Tuners EBMM uses for their actual guitars)

Schaller M6 IND CLAMB 4L/2R Chrome

Will I have to drill holes in my AL? Does the screws have the same position? Do the Locking Tuners have the same diameter?

Thanks guys...

 

[bbake1]

I've asked CS before and was told holes would need to be drilled as the holes are not the same. If not, the locking tuners will fit but tuning post will be at a slight angle when the holes are lined up. Someone here tried it and showed pics. In the end I did not do it. Do a search of locking tuners and you may be able to find more info.

 

[banjoplayer]

Thanks bbake, i found the thread http://forums.ernieball.com/music-man-guitars/37411-locking-tuners-early-silhouette.html
it would work but it does not look very appealing.
plus... it´s not reversible. If you change back to non-locking you may see the holes for the locking tuners?!?

beej´s pic:

 

[beej]

Yep ... that's my pinkburst. I was crazy enough to route it for a 9V battery compartment as well Very glad I've held on to that one, it's ridiculously good.

I've done it on a few guitars. You have drill a small hole for the tab of the new locking tuners. If you want them to be perfectly level, you'll see the old holes (though you could fill them so they're unnoticeable).

It's a trade-off, but personally I think well worth it. The tuning stability is much better, and you'll never see the old holes unless you're looking at them from behind and above the headstock.

 

[luv]

I'd say do it. Fill the old holes with wood filler or wooden dowel (toothpicks can work sometimes) or a combo of both. You can actually match up a drill bit and wooden dowel in size and drill the old hole to that size to fit the dowel properly....instead of trying to sand a dowel down to fit the hole. I've done it on a couple of OLP's I had and it came out very good. In most cases you can't really tell it had been done....as long as it's done properly.

 

[LawDaddy]

I just put locking tuners on another guitar where I had to drill holes, and the original holes show. I thought for a minute about filling them, then got over it.

 

[NoUse121]

I think of it like this before I make a mod to one of my guitars.. Do I ever plan on selling or parting with the guitar? If so, I hold off.. It not, Why not?! You are just improving your guitar.