KC8AFW
Well-known member
Okay...so I have this 1930s Favilla U-2 soprano that I really love the sound. But, the tuners just suck. They were the original tuners that something must have happened to the original buttons...so someone made some wooden buttons to replace them. As you can see in the following photos, the wooden buttons have split and they were difficult to use.
I have searched high and low for replacement buttons, but I could find nothing that would fit the shafts. So I finally broke down and bought new Gotoh tuners and drilled out the headstock. I had to drill 13/64" hole for the shaft, and countersink a 9/32" hole for the bushing. I was as careful as I could be...but I still didn't get them exactly centered. And the 2nd or E string tuner is angled just slightly. I still don't think it looks too bad.
I've probably ruined the value of this old uke...but I'm a player, not a collector. I'm just happy to be able to tune it up and play it.
I have searched high and low for replacement buttons, but I could find nothing that would fit the shafts. So I finally broke down and bought new Gotoh tuners and drilled out the headstock. I had to drill 13/64" hole for the shaft, and countersink a 9/32" hole for the bushing. I was as careful as I could be...but I still didn't get them exactly centered. And the 2nd or E string tuner is angled just slightly. I still don't think it looks too bad.
I've probably ruined the value of this old uke...but I'm a player, not a collector. I'm just happy to be able to tune it up and play it.