SB tuners vs Schallers

Jon

Hi all,

I'd appreciate some advice on new machine heads. I've got open gear heads on my Barault, and wanted to replace them with sealed heads. The done thing on his guitars seems to be to upgrade to the SB tuners, which look lovely and vintage. Does anyone know how they compare with Schallers (which would look a bit weird and new on my heavily reliced guitar) in terms of reliability? Will they last a long time? Anyone had any problems with the SBs, or are they fine and good?

Thanks so much for your help,

Jon

klaatu

If you can find SB tuners, they're typically expensive (http://www.gypsyguitars.com/makers.php?id=32&status_id=), and they may or may not be in good working order. Modern alternatives besides the Schallers would be DR or DM tuners from Dupont (check the Djangobooks store) or Rainer Muellers (http://www.miller-age.ch/html/tuner.html). All of these closely resemble the original Selmer tuners and work very well. They may still look somewhat new and shiny on your guitar, but it might be possible to get them relic'ed.

frater

Eimers also does very accurate reproduction. A cheaper way to go could be JWC : http://www.jwc-guitars.com/shopUK.htm

Considering the value of your guitar I'd probably go Dupont.

Jon

Hey, thanks for your help guys. Jean Barault has said he can get me some SB vintage ones, so I think I'll go with that. It's such a great guitar I really want to preserve the authenticity and look. Learnt a lot from checking out both of your suggestions though! Much appreciated,

Jon

klaatu

Sounds like a plan!

frater

Fine but to be completely sincere, I think it would make mores sense to put original Sb tuners on a true vintage guitar to preserve the authenticity of the instrument. On a replica, even a fantastic one like a Barault, I would put vintaged tuners because I don't see the point to face the extra hassles that old tuners would inevitably bring.

Craig Bumgarner

Can anyone think of a way to age the bright brassy appearance of the new Schaller tuners? I bet they are dynamite tuners, but the bright finish is, well...... really bright! Dip them in salt water? Do they have a clear sealer coat that would resist artificial aging?

CB

klaatu

Craig Bumgarner wrote:

Can anyone think of a way to age the bright brassy appearance of the new Schaller tuners? I bet they are dynamite tuners, but the bright finish is, well...... really bright! Dip them in salt water? Do they have a clear sealer coat that would resist artificial aging?

CB

Craig, a Google on "aging guitar tuners" will turn up a lot of references, such as:
http://www.relicdeluxe.com/hardware_tremolo_bridge.asp

That one doesn't refer to brass tuners, but you get the idea.

Can't help you as to whether there's a sealer coat on the Schallers.

BluesBop Harry

These should do the trick, made by Barault himself: http://shoppingcart.djangobooks.com/tun ... tique.html
Expensive though...

These are the real deal but they are individual tuners: http://www.gypsyguitars.com/makers.php?id=32&status_id=