Grover Bullseye "sloppy" tuners

[Snoozingcat]

So after having my 79 Sunburst for less than a week, I've found the Grover Bullseye tuners to be sloppy.  There is no real positive feel, and tuning stability is a problem.  Is there a way to service these old tuners and bring them back to some level of feel and accuracy?

I do have a set of Gotoh 510 which will fit with no hassle (I had these on my Artist Korina)

I'm not too fond of Grovers to be honest, and although it would be good to leave them on for originality, I've no qualms in putting the Gotoh 510s on and popping the original Grovers in a draw.

What are your thoughts please?

[kizanski]

That's always been the knock on them, but they're too cool to replace, in my opinion.
Of course I realize my answer is of absolutely no help to you, and for that I am truly sorry.

[Duplex Dave]

Yep, that's a question only you can decide the answer to. Keep original and fight with the tuners or swap for accuracy, both have there merits. If the 510's fit without any permanent changes to the headstock then do it for your sanity and like you said through them in a zip-loc and keep them in the pic box.

[veatch]

The 510s are great tuners. It's your guitar, so you'll need to decide, but if it were me and the replacements did not require new drill holes, I'd go with the 510s. Dave is right, though, keep the originals in case you ever do want to sell. You'll want the original tuners back on it if you do. 

[Snoozingcat]

The 510s were great on my Artist.  They will go on the Sunburst with no alterations or drill holes, I wouldn't consider putting them on otherwise.  Obviously, I'd put the Bullseye away safe.  I've only had the guitar just under a week, so it could be it's just "settling in" 

Thanks.

[veatch]

Nah, the 510s are simply better tuners. Bullseyes look cool, but let's face it - they're old. I've had them on four or five guitars, and recently, I had to buy an extra set (not cheap or easy to find) to get a usable set. 

[DaveL]

The only thing I'll say, is don't sweat too much a drop in replacement... but still be careful with the finish in the

surrounding areas.  it could be brittle.  

[Steve Haynie]

While the Sunburst is yours use replacement tuners and enjoy playing the guitar.  If it does not stay in tune, you will not be happy.  If it stays in tune, you will love playing your guitar. 

Like everyone says, keep the original Grovers with the guitar, and use a replacement set that does not require drilling new holes.  DaveL is is correct about the finish on those old Hamers having brittle finishes.  Be careful. 

[Disturber]

I removed the old Bullseyes from one of my old Hamer's, Standard or Sunburst, can't remember. But I took them apart completely. There is grease in them, and after like 40 years it's turned to crust in most cases. So what I did was I cleaned everything thoroughly. Then I applied new grease, fishing reel lube if I remember correctly. Then I put everything back together and put the tuners back on the guitar.

Big improvement!!! Much better tuning stability etc. 

[Armitage]

Wait... you guys tune your guitars? 

[kizanski]

41 minutes ago, Armitage said:

Wait... you guys tune your guitars? 

You wouldn't know it if you ever heard me play.

[Snoozingcat]

Well.  Grovers came off and I took them apart and cleaned the worm gear.  There was 38 years of crud in there.  I also cleaned out the tuning gear.  I then re-packed the worm gear with lithium grease, and also added some finer oil to the tuning gear.  Re-assembled and the feel is still a bit hazy, but tuning stability is much better.

[Snoozingcat]

5 hours ago, kizanski said:

You wouldn't know it if you ever heard me play.

Me too!!!

[Snoozingcat]

On 29/03/2017 at 7:57 PM, Snoozingcat said:

Me too!!!

Well, despite my earlier post, the Grovers are still hopeless so the Gotoh 510s have gone on.  The Bullseye Grovers are safely tucked away in a draw.  The Gotohs have exactly the same footprint so no indentations or holes.  A straight swap.