I'm thinking of getting a Martin OXK and installing the Gotoh UPT's on it. How was it putting them on there? I know the material on those headstocks are different so I wasn't sure how that would work. Did the holes line up or did you have to drill new ones? Thanks
You need to ream holes larger on the 0XK. I enlarged mine to 10mm, and the Gotoh UPT-L tuners fit right in.
I would NOT use a drill on the Martin 0XK headstock, it is harder for me to control and with a reamer it only took me about 10 full rotations of the reamer on each hole, and maybe 20 mins in total to do all 4 holes.
Booli, does the Martin OXK require the longer UPTL tuners, or do you just like longer tuning posts?
My OXK needed the longer UPTLs. Also be sure to use a reamer because a drill bit will grab and tear the headstock wood.
Yes, the shorter shaft UPT tuners will
NOT fit the headstock of the Marton 0XK nor any Fluke or Flea, you need the longer shaft
UPT-L version. I agree also that power tools are overkill for this installation.
I got a cheap, basic reamer from Amazon, but you can pay much more for an "official" one from Stewart MacDonald. I love those Gotoh tuners, but they are difficult and expensive to get. When you order them from Japan, they make them then and there. You can also order them from Hawaii Music Supply, but their supply is limited. They charge $59 plus $20 shipping (I think). When I ordered them, I told them I wanted long, and I would accept any color. There are fourteen different types, so they can't stock multiples of each one. I've done two or three ukes with them, and I've always used the Longs. Better a mm too long and a mm too short.
If you do a uke with a slotted headstock - like a Fluke or a Flea - you have to use a drill because of the shape of the head. When I use a reamer, I ream from both sides of the head. Otherwise, one side of the hole would be wider than the other. I was careful and had no trouble using a drill, but maybe I was just lucky. Taking your time and going slowing is best. As for the holes lining up, yes they did. I'm planning to put Gotohs on one or two more ukes, but I'm particular about the color, so I might have to order from Japan.
I have installed the UPT-L tuners also on my concert Flea. You can see the info regarding the full details of the end result with photos in the Magic Fluke Company megathread, which is linked via my forum signature below.
I would never use a drill on a Fluke or Flea headstock, for they are only about 15mm thick front-to-back and with a 10mm hole for the Gotoh UPT-L there is very little wood on each face of the headstock and if your drill bit wobbles it is very easy to tear out the hole.
Hand tools are much easier for me to control, and I do not have a workbench or vise to use. I simply held the uke between my knees while supporting the neck with one hand, and gently turning the reamer with the other.
The 'top hole' where the tuner's nut goes does NOT need to be 10mm,
only the hole with the button-side of the tuner.
On Fluke and Flea headstocks the 'inner' hole of ~6.5mm is
already large enough for the shaft and nut without any modifications required to make it fit.