Which tuners for my Ibanez Semi Hollow

**mambosun** · 05-20-2012, 02:10 PM

After 15 years of intensive use, I think it's time for a tuner upgrade.

Recently, I notice some of the plastic washers felt in bits while changing the strings and intonation becomes a bit more tricky than before, mostly while playing rock and blues with a lot of bends.

Any good models / brands to suggest?(if possible, cost-effective as well)

I don't know which brand a model are the stock tuners of my Ibanez AS120 (bought in 1997), but I'd like not to drill new holes on the headstock.
Thanks in advance for your help.

**docbop** · 05-20-2012, 02:22 PM

StewMac is a good source for parts you can see the tuners and the screw pattern they have. I'd say contact them and they can tell you which one have similar screw pattern to the ones you have now. Beside screw pattern need to check the shaft size some are larger and require reaming the headstock.

StewMac tuners

**mambosun** · 05-20-2012, 02:37 PM

Originally Posted by docbop

StewMac is a good source for parts you can see the tuners and the screw pattern they have. I'd say contact them and they can tell you which one have similar screw pattern to the ones you have now. Beside screw pattern need to check the shaft size some are larger and require reaming the headstock.

StewMac tuners

Thank you.

I noticed the two main brands are Gotoh and Grover; are they similar in terms of quality and reliability?

In case, some forumers here would have already upgraded tuners on their AS 120, they are welcomed to give an advice too.

**IbanezAS100** · 05-20-2012, 05:16 PM

Originally Posted by mambosun

Thank you.

I noticed the two main brands are Gotoh and Grover; are they similar in terms of quality and reliability?

In case, some forumers here would have already upgraded tuners on their AS 120, they are welcomed to give an advice too.

I think your AS120 deserves some Gotoh 510s...maybe not exactly cost effective (about 100 Euros/£90) but worth it...light, stable and very cool looking..I've got them on two of my guitars already.

**mambosun** · 05-20-2012, 07:27 PM

Thanks.
It looks great.
Do you think the Gotoh would perfectly fit in the AS120 headstock?

**IbanezAS100** · 05-21-2012, 02:57 AM

Originally Posted by mambosun

Thanks.
It looks great.
Do you think the Gotoh would perfectly fit in the AS120 headstock?

As far as I know they're a 'drop in' replacement. I've got them on an Ibanez AGS83 and there was no need for modification.

**oldane** · 05-21-2012, 04:29 AM

As an addition to the Grovers and Gotohs already mentioned, I'd like to add Schaller M6 which is also an excellent tuner. I don't know if the screw holes fits your guitar though. I figure it must be the position of the screw holes and the looks which determines your choice. You can't go wrong with either.

On my own guitars, I have Schaller M6, Grover Rotomatic and Grover Imperial. All work problem free without maintainance - one set has done so since 1973. If you choose those, I don't think you will have to worry about tuners any more.

One slight inconvenience with the Grover Imperials is that the screws holding the buttons tends come loose. It has been that way ever since they were introduced decades ago. Grover eventually found a solution for it (a locking washer), but it seems to have been forgotten in the period the Imperials were discontinued, since they now come without the washer. Dan Duffy mentions this inconvenieance in his book on his years at Gretsch in the 1950s and 1960s. A tad of Locktite should solve it.

**MikeConner** · 05-21-2012, 09:14 AM

The Gotoh 510's (with black buttons) were a direct replacement for the stock tuners on my recent AF95 (my recent review and setup notes has a picture of these tuners https://www.jazzguitar.be/forum/guita...p-details.html ). Purchased from StewMac at around $110. Not cheap but very worthwhile.

I have had good experience with Grovers and they can be a little lower in cost, but I don't think the screws line up with existing holes. The Shaller's are great tuners with a premium price.

**mambosun** · 05-21-2012, 01:12 PM

Originally Posted by MikeConner

The Gotoh 510's (with black buttons) were a direct replacement for the stock tuners on my recent AF95 (my recent review and setup notes has a picture of these tuners https://www.jazzguitar.be/forum/guita...p-details.html ). Purchased from StewMac at around $110. Not cheap but very worthwhile.

I have had good experience with Grovers and they can be a little lower in cost, but I don't think the screws line up with existing holes. The Shaller's are great tuners with a premium price.

A (dumb?) question:
The Gotoh 510S look massive; what about their weight vs stock tuner?
Could these affect the balance of the guitar while playing standing?

**MikeConner** · 05-21-2012, 02:34 PM

Good question! I did not think about the weights when investigating the tuner options....

From StewMac STEWMAC.COM : Gotoh Midsize 510 Tuners with Black Plastic Knobs :
Gotoh Mid-size 7108-G (Black buttons) 203 gm weight
The Gotoh Mini's weigh 197 gms (but no black button option)
Grover mid-size and Shaller both weigh 220 gms

So, the Gotoh are the lighter option. Not sure about the Mini versions as far as fit goes - I assumed these were more for solid body electrics with smaller headstocks. //m

**IbanezAS100** · 05-21-2012, 03:14 PM

Originally Posted by mambosun

A (dumb?) question:
The Gotoh 510S look massive; what about their weight vs stock tuner?
Could these affect the balance of the guitar while playing standing?

No problems in my experience-they're probably lighter than most stock tuners.

**Socalbill** · 05-21-2012, 03:49 PM

Personally, I like heavy tuners on a guitar. I put Schallers on on my ASF75 and I thought it improved the tone. I think I read somewhere that weight in the headstock can have that effect in addition to increased sustain. Gotohs are great as well, and I have used them several times.
Bill

**oldane** · 05-21-2012, 04:01 PM

Originally Posted by Socalbill

Personally, I like heavy tuners on a guitar. I put Schallers on on my ASF75 and I thought it improved the tone. I think I read somewhere that weight in the headstock can have that effect in addition to increased sustain. Gotohs are great as well, and I have used them several times.
Bill

You will have a hard time convincing me that the tuners affect the tone to any audible degree. But Schaller tuners are of high quality and will provide decades of problem free service so for that reason alone they are an excellent choice (as are Grover, Sperzel and Gotoh).

**Socalbill** · 05-21-2012, 04:03 PM

I don't need to convince anyone but myself really, but I do like the heavier tuners on my Ibanez.
Bill

**mr. beaumont** · 05-21-2012, 04:43 PM

I have Schallers on my Hofner, and they're definitely the smoothest, steadiest tuners I've ever had the joy to use.

The Grovers on my recently acquired Heritage seem to be of similar high quality, but are much heavier in build...which can be a plus or minus depending on your guitar...