Not helpful, but I wouldn't replace original tuners on a 60-80 year old instrument.
Why? If you don't have to drill, they are easily changed in and out.
I agree. Tuners break, there are better and newer ones. Even if you have to drill, I consider it upgrading. I don't know how well they'd fit into your current holes, but I have a uke with the Gotoh UPTs and think they're great. Nice and smooth.
I would if the originals don't work properly. I had a martin tenor with the Grovers with the fiber washers. I couldn't get them to work properly, even with new fiber washers that Grover sent me gratis. I replaced them with Grover geared . Now that UPT are available I would use them, they are a little clunky looking but are smoother than the pegheads I tried.Not helpful, but I wouldn't replace original tuners on a 60-80 year old instrument.
I don't know if you were talking to me, but I still have them with the "new" washers. pm me , I'll sell them.I, too, have used Ping friction tuners ($13, Amazon, at least in the past) on two of my sopranos for a drop and play option. I don't know if they fit a tenor, Steve. I think it was Jay, in fact, who turned me on to them (he replied below).
Besides a small amount of reaming, I'd be afraid of the thick barrel on UPTs doing wide ring damage to the rear of the headstock; although I've owned UPTs on other ukes, I've never tried them on a Martin, so my fear may be unfounded.
Nice uke! I love those original friction tuners (they need to be tightened more than one would think and then they tune well, including small adjustments; if they are "loose" at all, adjusting is a bear!) so, if you are selling them, I'd be game to buy them. Thanks.
... what would you recommend? I don't want to drill the headstock. The uke is a 1940s-1950's model with original Champion tuners:
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