nyartist - Posted - 02/16/2024:  12:12:20

I'm tired of traveling overseas with an expensive banjo and worrying on the plane, in the train or wherever. I like a 12" pot and a scoop and I see GoldTone has one with the composite pot and guitar tuners. I have a set of planet tuners sitting around. Will they fit into the holes where the guitar tuners were or do I need to drill new holes?

Culloden - Posted - 02/16/2024:  13:43:09

From what I can see on the Gold Tone website the tuners are not the kind that have screw in bushings. That means you would probably have to enlarge the holes. If you have a reamer, or access to one, you would be better off reaming the holes for the tuners instead of drilling. Don't ask me how I found that out.

jdeluke137 - Posted - 02/16/2024:  14:33:28

quote:

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Originally posted by nyartist

I'm tired of traveling overseas with an expensive banjo and worrying on the plane, in the train or wherever. I like a 12" pot and a scoop and I see GoldTone has one with the composite pot and guitar tuners. I have a set of planet tuners sitting around. Will they fit into the holes where the guitar tuners were or do I need to drill new holes?

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You might want to call Gold Tone in Titusville and see if they could modify one for you before shipping it to you.  They do some assembly there in Florida.  I've been there and they actually have work benches and tools with people working on instruments.

thisoldman - Posted - 02/17/2024:  10:11:13

You may have seen this, but....The Gold Tone site here  under recommended gear shows planetary tuners (installed) for  $80.

Edited by - thisoldman on 02/17/2024 10:12:31

nyartist - Posted - 02/17/2024:  11:07:37

thanks from one old man to another...

I did see that on their site but have a spare set of planetary tuners I would use. Still trying to determine if a composite pot would sound better than the one on Rogue banjos..

mike gregory - Posted - 02/17/2024:  11:27:08

quote:

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Originally posted by Culloden

From what I can see on the Gold Tone website the tuners are not the kind that have screw in bushings. That means you would probably have to enlarge the holes. If you have a reamer, or access to one, you would be better off reaming the holes for the tuners instead of drilling. Don't ask me how I found that out.

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"OK, Culloden! Enough stalling! Tell us how you found that out!"

- J. Friday, Sgt, LAPD-

Edited by - mike gregory on 02/17/2024 11:27:40

Culloden - Posted - 02/17/2024:  13:56:04

All right, Friday.
I decided to enlarge a tuner hole with a drill bit instead of a reamer. I used a standard bit instead of a wood bit so it wouldn't catch in the hole. See where this is going?
I used the drill press so it would be more stable and set the bit fight above the hole. I held the neck steady and lowered the bit. When it went into the hole it caught and split the whole side of the peghead off. I eventually got the peghead glued back together where the break wasn't too obvious but it never was completely hidden.
Statement sworn to by W. Gannon LAPD

thisoldman - Posted - 02/19/2024:  12:11:36

nyartist Harbor Freight sells a reamer for $4, which would probably do the job. I'd practice on scrap wood first. I know I've looked at "real" luthiers reamers in the past, and they are quite pricey. I was thinking forstner bit until I read Mark's story. By the way, I have a GT CC-OT with guitar tuners. They hold tune very well. Not pretty, but very functional.

nyartist - Posted - 02/19/2024:  12:16:14

Hey old man. I your GT "?

nyartist - Posted - 02/19/2024:  14:12:51

sorry - didn't finish the text.. is your Gold Tone an 11"?