Kluson v. Gotoh "Kluson Style" tuners?

[BadgerDave]

My new Gibson SG came with the snot green knobbed "Gibson Deluxe" tuners that I assume are made by Kluson. I have a set of metal button tuners (from a Les Paul) that are drop in replacements.

My experience with Gotoh tuners in general has been very positive, especially with thier excellent Kluson style Fender replacements.

Anyone know if using a set of Gotoh "Kluson Style" tuners would be an improvement over the Gibson branded tuners?

[murkat]

Oh yes.

the Kluson wafflebacks will work as well and they are very nice.

[RobB]

Dave, how are you liking your new SG? I haven't seen any in stores...

[BadgerDave]

I'll give it a 9.5/10.

The good:

weight - 6lbs. 13 oz.

neck - nice slightly thicker than medium C profile, fingerboard widens gradually toward the body resulting in great playability in the meedly region.

24 frets - all easily accessible.

none of the usual flexibility in the neck - you really have to push on it to affect pitch

sound - thick and edgy, good balance between the pickups, usable controls with good range.

look - it's a black SG with crowns!

Fit and finish - very good to excellent (with one exception - see below) the inlays are clean with virtually no visible filler, the nut was properly cut, the finish is smooth and glossy, the neck angle is perfect, the rosewood fretboard is dark, nicely figured and cleanly sanded, the frets are level, nicely crowned and reasonably well finished.

The not-so-good:

Why would Gibson use dark cream neck binding on a black and chrome SG? White would have been perfect.

Snot green keystone tuners. chrome buttons needed here - an easy fix.

The one feature that will always remind me that it's a Gibson: there is an obvious flaw in the top body bevel where whoever was operating the power sander slipped. You can see it in the finish and feel it - it's a dip, crown, dip and back to level wave. Probably 1/8" or more difference between the dip and crown. Fortunately, it doesn't interfere with anything and it's round and smooth. I think of it as adding character!

Definitely a keeper.

BTW, I should have that CBS neck on it's way to you soon. I'll touch base when I get it and verify that it's good to go.