|
|
Post by vonFrenchie on Feb 19, 2012 18:48:04 GMT -5
Long time no talk guys. So I bought an Ibanez RX concept guitar about a year ago. I didn't have a ton of time to play or fiddle with the hardware and what not. So recently, literally a year after I bought the guitar, I found out that the nut on one of the tuners had sheered apart (like it was cross threaded). Being a two point trem guitar I bought some Schaller locking tuners. There is only one problem. The tuners that are on the guitar are held in with a bolt and have two metal prongs on the back that keep them from spinning. The Schaller tuners are your standard tuners, nut on the top of the headstock and a screw that goes into the back of the headstock. So here is the problem, is there any safe way to install the Schaller replacement (steady screw and all) without possibly cracking my headstock? Here are some pictures so you can see the difference. Sorry, I don't have one of the stock tuner out of the headstock. Standard Schaller  Ibanez stock  I am just worried that if I drill a hole for the mounting screw I will crack my headstock. Any suggestions? |
|
|
|
Post by lpf3 on Feb 19, 2012 20:11:15 GMT -5
vonFrenchie -
I just drill a pilot hole with a 1/16" drill bit and never have any problems with the headstock cracking. You can wrap a small piece of masking tape around the drill bit to act as a depth guide, & just be careful that you don't drill all the way through.....
You shouldn't have any problems this way.
-lpf3
|
|
|
|
Post by newey on Feb 19, 2012 21:26:38 GMT -5
VF-
Welcome back!
I'll second lpf3's technique, I've never cracked a headstock drilling for those locating screws.
I have, however, gone through the headstock (only once)! I've learned the hard way to go slow and tape off the bit for a depth guide, as suggested. Use a sharp bit and you'll be fine.
|
|
|
|
Post by 4real on Feb 19, 2012 23:07:35 GMT -5
You can get locking tuners, I thought shallers, with those kind of non-screw fittings. Otherwise, as people have said, take care, use the correct sized drill bit and put some tape on the bit to clearly show exactly how far you need to drill and take it slow. Also, be sure to install them all and make them all line up before screwing or drilling. Taping a ruler to the edge of all six is better than trying by eye as it can be kind of tricky to got the right I find...check everything twice. Locking tuners like that though are great, you will not want to go back to normal tuners again! Oh yeah...it is possible to 'crack' the head...if your new tuners have a wider shaft you may well need to enlarge the holes, preferably with a hand 'reamer' for the purpose and well worth getting one cheap for all kinds of things to enlarge them to suit. This does not seem to be a problem here, but don't force things. More common if changing from 'cheap' tuners to something like this. It is possible with a larger drill bit or file but hard to get things centred and extreme care should be taken...better yet take the neck off and use a drill press, but even this has dangers and the 'reamer is preferable... mine looks exactly like this...  |
|
|
|
Post by cynical1 on Feb 20, 2012 8:10:04 GMT -5
About the only thing I'd add to this is to cover the headstock with some 3M Blue masking tape to protect the finish while you operate.
You can lay out your center lines on the tape and locate your screw hole locations on the tape as well. Once you have your hole locations marked take a small brad or nail and just tap a small indentation when you want to drill. This will make locating the drill easier and it won't hop out on you.
As Drill Press is really what you want here, but if you haven't got one the idea of wrapping tape on the drill bit to mark your depth works fine. The Dremel tool is a lot easier to control then your standard hand power drill.
I've chucked up a 1/16" drill bit in a Dremel tool and run it at a low RPM and it works fine.
And drilling through is about the worst you'll do...and since we've warned you about that I would hope it's not an issue anymore.
And if you crack you neck while drilling 1/16" holes for tuner screw I can say without a doubt that you did it wrong...
Happy Trails
Cynical One
|
|
|
|
Post by vonFrenchie on Feb 21, 2012 2:00:55 GMT -5
Luckily, my dad has a floor standing drill press. Unfortunately I won't be at my parents house for another month. I do have an electric hand drill and plenty of duct and painters tape. I have had plenty experience woodworking, my dad made sure of that.
I'll post pics of the switch once I get the tuners (so probably next Monday).
|
|
|
|
Post by 4real on Feb 21, 2012 2:58:42 GMT -5
Likely they should just fit and careful use of a tiny drill bit taped to ensure not over drilling should be fine...just make sure they are straight!
|
|
