Does anyone know what brand of tuners came on this model? On mine they look like Gotohs and are really smooth. However, Ebay seller Antonio Tsai sells a very similar set which could be mistaken for Gotohs.
banjonz
Hot Tip; Gotoh Banjo tuners have slotted screws that tighten the knobs. Nearly every cheap Chinese knock-off has phillips screws holding the knobs on.
Though I never confirmed it with Mr. Gotoh, it I think the slotted screws are so you can use a coin, butter knife, or even a flat blade screwdriver when you need to do a quick adjustment in the field. I have had many pro musicians comment that they appreciated not having to find a phillips screw driver when a tuner screw loosened slightly.
Bob Smakula
smakulafrettedinstruments.com
Edited by - Bob Smakula on 09/28/2023 17:25:22
Thanks for the reply Bob. I have just checked my stock. The Gotoh's I obtained from you have the slot but the head of the screw sits slightly proud of the button. The ones I got from Ebay have a Phillips head. The ones on my RK80 have a slotted countersunk screw. Did Gotoh ever change the head profile at some stage?
quote:
Originally posted by Bob Smakula... I think the slotted screws are so you can use a coin, butter knife, or even a flat blade screwdriver when you need to do a quick adjustment in the field...
I am convinced I'm not the only one who has used finger picks to tighten a tuner on the fly.
quote:
Originally posted by banjonzThanks for the reply Bob. I have just checked my stock. The Gotoh's I obtained from you have the slot but the head of the screw sits slightly proud of the button. The ones I got from Ebay have a Phillips head. The ones on my RK80 have a slotted countersunk screw. Did Gotoh ever change the head profile at some stage?
The pearloid buttons on Gotoh's banjo tuners are countersunk. The creamy white and black butons are not countersunk.
Gotoh's pearloid banjo tuning buttons are a different shape than their creamy white and black.
Bob Smakula
It is fine to use what is at hand but proper gunsmith flatblades do not strip the screws nor mar the plastic knob.
The RK R80s that I sold had Gotoh tuners. Later RKs had PING or Gotoh depending on the line.
