Hamer's tuners... 1982

[Hamer Dave]

Ok, you experts. Here's one for ya'...

I got this old white/aged '82 Sustainblock Vector 2 64## from out west. The guy put on some PRS locking tuners, because the previous(original?) tuners were literally crumbling apart(in his words). I want to think they were the original tuners 'cause he confirmed they seemed to align with the sole impression and mounting screw holes. I never saw the old tuners. His descript' is they seemed to have a chromed plastic housing, and had a star on the back side. I asked he send them along with the guitar, but it was too late, and they were no longer to be found in the trash. He did say he'd try to pull them out.

My initial thought was old Grovers, as I recall some of these having a star on the back. I sent him a photo, but he said that was not it, and that although the Grovers looked vintage, these did not, and looked crappy. He did try to find an image on the web, but couldn't find one. These original tuners also had their mounting screws directly centered under the tuner post holes (if you know what I mean). Otherwards, they weren't offset like a Schaller's is.

Any idea what these could have been? Is there any knowledge of some creepy tuners that could have been used back in the early 80's? I know there were times they'd run out, and would have to send someone out to go buy some tuners at the local music store in order to complete orders. Curious, if this would sound familiar to any of you.

Thanks!

dave

[zenmindbeginner]

Old school Grovers mate.

Get em' here.

[cmatthes]

Possibly older Ibanez tuners? Hamer was using Schallers at that point. The thing about the "chrome plated plastic" housing has me scratching my head. Can't imagine Hamer would have EVER used those as stock.

[murkat]

I would most positive that the original tuners where schallers.

there are plenty of tuners out there from the 80's that would of lined up to those original holes.

case in point, the pic above, Ibanez star ibs tuners.

Alot of guys say, sell there guitars saying original this and that...

You know!

Hamers became very consistant with thier parts/ vendors in the 80's.

[carfish7]

The early Sperzel tuners had a star on the back too, but I can't imagine them ever crumbling. I'll bet ZMB has it nailed.........

[cmatthes]

The early Sperzel tuners had a star on the back too, but I can't imagine them ever crumbling. I'll bet ZMB has it nailed.........

Grovers and Sperzels never had plastic housings though, did they?

[zenmindbeginner]

The early Sperzel tuners had a star on the back too, but I can't imagine them ever crumbling. I'll bet ZMB has it nailed.........

Grovers and Sperzels never had plastic housings though, did they?

What's bizarre is even the cheapest tuners are made of plated die cast pot metal. Is there even such a thing as a set of tuners with plastic housings?

[crunchee]

What's bizarre is even the cheapest tuners are made of plated die cast pot metal. Is there even such a thing as a set of tuners with plastic housings?

Yes. I've had a few Ovation Balladeers (not Custom Balladeers) of early-mid '80s make, all with the same black plastic bodied (or encased) tuners, with the Ovation logo on a chrome metal insert in the middle on the back, and chrome finish metal buttons. I think they were Schaller made. They were kinda unusual in that they had TWO mounting screws on the back instead of the usual one. The Custom Balladeers used the same model full-sized Schaller tuners that Hamer did, either with the Ovation logo or the Schaller 'S'.

It seems that I remember hearing that at least some of the 'F' branded chrome tuners, that Fender used on their electrics in the late '60's and '70's (like the ones on Strats and Teles), had some plastic in them. Anybody know for sure?

[zenmindbeginner]

What's bizarre is even the cheapest tuners are made of plated die cast pot metal. Is there even such a thing as a set of tuners with plastic housings?

Yes. I've had a few Ovation Balladeers (not Custom Balladeers) of early-mid '80s make, all with the same black plastic bodied (or encased) tuners, with the Ovation logo on a chrome metal insert in the middle on the back, and chrome finish metal buttons. I think they were Schaller made. They were kinda unusual in that they had TWO mounting screws on the back instead of the usual one. The Custom Balladeers used the same model full-sized Schaller tuners that Hamer did, either with the Ovation logo or the Schaller 'S'.

It seems that I remember hearing that at least some of the 'F' branded chrome tuners, that Fender used on their electrics in the late '60's and '70's (like the ones on Strats and Teles), had some plastic in them. Anybody know for sure?

I know what you're talking about. Those are the nylon tuners for 12 strings so the headstock wouldn't be ultra heavy... definitely plastic, not sure why I couldn't remember those even though I bought and sold a pair a couple of years ago.

[serial]

Many Fenders in the 60s/70s (student models) had plastic buttons.

[Hamer Dave]

Old school Grovers mate.

Get em' here.

I was thinking same. Sent him a photo, says it ain't the ones. Unless he snagged em to sell for 3 bills? Don't think he'd do that? Plus he put on some nice locking PRS ones for replacements.

[David B]

Either way, I'm 99% sure that Schallers were the original tuners.

[cmatthes]

David B. is 100% correct.

[mukuzi]

schaller mini`s