Kluson post size for LP Junior replacement tuners (Tone Pros Klusons)?

[Navigator]

My LP Junior has these Kluson tuners: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kluson-Single-Line-3-on-a-plate-Tuners-w-Cream-Buttons-fit-Gibson-Epi-etc-/151836154830?rmvSB=true

The post size according to this listing is 1/4" in diameter. I want to replace the tuners with the Tone Pros Klusons that I prefer. I ordered the TPKG3-N which has a listed post size of 8.5 mm. According to an online converter, 8.5 mm = 21/64". Anyone have an idea of how hard it will be to make the Tone Pros Klusons work on the Junior?

By my reckoning, the new tuners will have a slightly smaller post size, so I'm guessing that the current bushings can be left in, and the new tuners just put in place.

Any feedback or advice is appreciated. Thanks guys!

[gtone]

Don't confuse the post size with the hole size required.  My Fast Guitars Junior build came pre-drilled with 8mm holes, which had to be expanded slightly with a ream to fit the bushings (the posts are considerably smaller in diameter of course) for the Gotoh/TonePros Klusons I believe you're fitting.  So 8.5mm holes may indeed be the perfect fit.

BTW, the Japanese Gotoh/TonePros are day/night better than the modern Taiwanese Kluson RI's.  I originally ordered a set of the Klusons on E-Bay for that build and sent them back immediately.  The slop/lash on the machines was brutal and the finish on the Klusons was noticeably inferior also.  Paid CAD$40 for the Gotohs from the Canadian distributor, whereas the Klusons cost over USD$50 (about CAD$75) to boot - go figure!  Didn't hesitate to go straight back to Gotoh for my Standard/Explorer Junior build either - glad I did... 

[Navigator]

Thanks gtone. You're right about the distinction between the size of the post and that of the hole. I'm hoping the Tone Pros Klusons (which appear to be discontinued, by the way) will indeed fit right in.

Are you suggesting that the Tone Pros Klusons are/were made in Japan by Gotoh? I didn't know that. I thought it was Gotoh who made the Kluson-style machines for Gibson. Either way, the Tone Pros Klusons that I put on my Les Paul are much better for me (higher gear ratio, much smoother gear mechanism, nicer "butterscotch" color to the keys) than the stock Kluson-style tuners that came from Gibson.

The machines that are on my Junior appear to be the old-style three-on-a-plate Kluson reissues, which look period correct, but are not very precise or smooth in their movement. I'm guessing they are part of the Taiwanese line that you're referring to. Hopefully the Tone Pros Klusons will fit right in there and give me the improvement that I'm looking for.

Thanks for the feedback.

[gtone]

IIRC, it was the Gotoh rep that told me that they made the TonePros Kluson line and I have every reason to believe him as I have some and they are identical in every way except for the brand-name etched on the TonePros.  

It is unfortunate, but the TonePros Klusons haven't been made in about 3 yrs or more.  There's still a few distributors/retailers that have stock, but the prices for them seem to be climbing.  In future, if you (or anyone else from the US, btw) are looking for Gotohs, try Japarts in Canada for a custom order.  Cheap like Borscht and currently, at least a 20% discount considering the currency exchange rate between the USD and the CAD.

 Yep, those offshore Kluson RI's are total junk - no way I'd put them on one of my guitars.  The MIJ Gotoh's are quality items, hold tune very well also.

[Navigator]

Very cool. Thanks for the additional information gtone.

If I were to order the Gotoh-made Kluson-style tuners, do you know what model I'd be asking for?

Also, I was under the impression that it was Gotoh who manufactured the Kluson-style tuners that come stock on Gibsons. But whoever makes them, I found the tuners on my Gibson Les Paul to be inferior to the Tone Pros Klusons that I replaced them with.

[gtone]

I used the vintage nickel "3 on a plate" model with the small, vintage-style white buttons, Gotoh Model 3SD05MA for the Fast DC Junior.

[gtone]

Allparts has them - standard (unrelic'd) Nickel finish is their part # TK 0700-001; aged/relic'd is # TK 0700-007.

[Navigator]

Hey gtone, thanks for the additional information, parts numbers and all. It sounds like these Gotohs are pretty much the Tone Pros Klusons in Gotoh clothing so to speak, especially with the 15:1 gear ratio that I like.

I was kind of wanting to go to the classic plastic Kluson tip look, and it looks like they even have that look on the three on a plate for the Junior:

https://www.allparts.com/TK-0708-001-Nickel-Vintage-Style-3x3-Keys-with-Keystone-Button_p_3634.html

Very cool. Thanks again for turning me on to these. Very helpful. Cheers.