Tight Tuners

[vic_loher]

Quick question: The tuners on my Axis are very tight. I tried turning the screws on the tuners, but they wouldn't budge without really cranking down on them which is was afraid to do. Is loosening the screws the solution? If so, I will go at it carefully, but harder.

Thank you for your responses.

Vic

 

[DrKev]

With the right-sized screwdriver, there should be no need to force the driver tip down into the screw head. Grab a couple of screw drivers and see what fits best. Ideally, full width of the slot and fully seated in the slot. Lay the guitar on it's back. With thumb and index finger of one hand, hold the top of the tuner button so it doesn't rotate, and so that the thumb and finger tips can help keep the screw driver blade in the slot. If the screw driver slips, this thumb and finger can prevent it sliding toward the guitar. With the other hand, turn the screw counterclockwise (i.e. top of the screw will move to the left). The tuner buttons are removeable, (you'll need about 8 full turns to remove it) and you can't damage anythign by simply loosening the screw. So don't be afraid to turn as hard as you need to loosen.

The only force you should need to apply is to turning the screw. Avoid pushing the screw driver head into the screw as much as possible. Yes, a little force into the screw can help keep the driver blade in the slot but that force itself doesn't help loosening the screw and when we really crank down the blade can easily slip from the screw head. All that force turns into motion and a big gash in the headstock or your hand can occur. So, turn as hard as you need, but don't push down much. OK?

 

[vic_loher]

Dr Kevin, thank you for the very thorough reply. It put my mind at ease. Will loosening the screw make the tuning key easier to turn?

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

Loosening the screw should make it easier to turn the tuning key. A partial turn should be all that is needed!

 

[vic_loher]

Thank you.