Need help with installing locking tuners!!

[clovis]

Hey guys,

This is my first post here. I bought a Steve Morse model guitar back in 1996. It came with non-locking tuners. After 3-12 hours a day for almost 10 years the top two tuning keys finally wore out. I bought (from Ernie Ball) the locking tuners. 2 of the 5180's and 4 of the 5181's. Well........I go to install these bad boys and guess what?? The screw holes don't line up.

Am I going to have to drill new holes for these things to fit on the way the original tuning keys did? My guitar has a stop tail piece...It is not the Floyd Rose version. I'm a bit confused here as I really don't want to drill on this guitar. Even though she's seen better days after 10 yrs and probably 1000 gigs. I really don't have the heart to drill unless I knew it wouldn't be an issue and won't cause other problems with the headstock and/or tuning keys.

If I do have to drill new holes, is there a proper way to do it and fill in/cover up the old holes that don't line up now with the locking tuners?

Any and ALL help in this matter would be greatly appreciated,

John R.

http://www.johnredden.com

 

[beej]

Hey John,

Unfortunately, with the newer locking tuners aren't going to fit exactly. You'll have to drill one small hole for each.

On the plus side, if you do it right the old hole will barely be noticeable- it will be half covered up by the new tuner itself. And, you'll get better tuning stability. There's a few of us that have done the same thing, and honestly, unless you stare at the back of the headstock, or want to fill the old holes (easily done), it's tough to notice.

Jon (EBMM repair guru and all around nice-guy) can probably give you some more specific advice.

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

I once retrofitted tuners on a guitar, and this left the holes of the old tuners. I filled in the holes with candle wax, and it looked really good! Might be worth considering!

 

[tommyindelaware]

u could use a star washer on the back side of the headstock........and eliminate the need for the new screws to be used.
they are very thin washers w/ teeth that prevent the tuner from turning as you tighten the nut.