The Chetboard

I have a Gretsch Electromatic 5125 and I'm thinking of swapping out the tuners. Anybody been there? I would like to find some new tuners that will "fit right in" and not have to drill any new screw holes. It's a great guitar and don't wanna "boogger it up"! Thanks for any info! Steve

I used to own one but it was awhile ago. What's your issue with the current tuners? They are pretty good from what i remember. The only close upgrade i could think would be the 18:1 Sta-Tites. Those are cream of the crop IMO. The post hole should be the same but you would likely have to fill the old mounting holes.

I have always replaced open back tuners with some quality sealed gear tuners. Back in my day it was Schallers, Have never regretted it. Just took round toothpick and stuck it in the old screw holes with a drop of Elmer's and sliced it level with the peghead. Take the time to pre-drill the new screw holes if you want. I never bothered. I'm sure it's a nice guitar and you obviously want to keep it nice looking but from my standpoint upgrading the tuners is well worth what cosmetic alteration might ensue. It's not in the same league as widening a pickup hole or anything major.

...that's how it looks to me

Keep in mind any sealed tuner you will have to ream the post holes and drill new mounting holes. If you are having tuning issues it is likely a nut or bridge issue.

Thanks for all the replies. It's a great guitar with the "early" Chet sound thru the DeArmond pickups but it just won't stay in tune! I've got new D-Addario strings too. It's all original and nearly brand new. Thought about swapping the bridge for a rocking bar bridge. Reckon that would help? It's kind'a like when you put new strings on your classical and they "slip and slip" for a few days until they take a set but so far these strings are still trying to find themselves a proper tuning. And they are not those skinny Telecaster type strings, they are 10-46. I appreciate all yall's input! Steve

Going out of tune usually means you havea badly cut nut or, more likely, you aren't attatching the strings porperly at the tunin post. Everybody has a favorite method but you have to do it in a way that the string locks against itself

Now Norm......I've been playing guitar for over 45 years! But I can see how you wouldn't have known that! Maybe it's my striking looks....every time someone looks at me they try to strike me! The other day a young girl gave me the "once-over".... she looked once and it was over! I done know about double-poking strings thru the little holes in the tuner pegs, especailly on nylon strings. Ya gotta really cinch'em down like you said. Course the big ol' fat E and A strings usually won't go thru but once. I'm gonna try putting some lube on the nut and bridge grooves and see if that helps. Hey, maybe I'll just grease up my whole fretboard and I can play like Scotty Anderson! Don't hold your breath. Thanks Norm! I 'preciate you helping me out! Steve

Steve,
If the 5125 is anything like the 5120, I agree with you on the tuners. They're not that great. I'd like to replace mine on my G-5120 for the same reason. It's a great playing guitar but the tuners leave a lot to be desired.

One of the first things that I did after I bought my G-5120 was to anchor the Bigsby Vibrato to the guitar like Chet and Paul did to there's. It involves removing the Bigsby and boring a small hole through the cup where the spring sets in place for a small wood screw. This keeps the Bigsby from sliding from side to side which can have an adverse effect on the guitar's tuning, so I'm told.
Maybe some day I'll replace the tuners and change the pickups on my guitar if I ever come into some extra money.

Joey

Steve Sanders wrote:I done know about double-poking strings thru the little holes in the tuner pegs, especailly on nylon strings. Ya gotta really cinch'em down like you said. Course the big ol' fat E and A strings usually won't go thru but once.

I hope you're kidding here. Poking them through twice doesn't really work that well. I use kind of a half hitch affair so the string locks on itself as it tightens

Like so



Others use different ways to get the same effect

Well THANK YA Norm! I appreciate that info and especially the picture. I will give that a try. Some of what I previously said was kidding and some was not. I was just tryin' to get a laugh out'a ya!! What you have described makes sense tho. Can't wait to try'er out! It's a great guitar other than the tuning issue. I like the "early" Chet tone the Dynasonics put out. I know he didn't like them but he did use them, I guess until Ray Butts came up with his pickup design for which we can all be thankful. With this 5125 and my old tube Echoplex "Mr. Sandman" really shines! Thanks again!! Steve