OldePhart
Well-known member
Just thought I'd let everybody know that there is enough "meat" in the shaft of the UPT tuners that you can drill the hole out with a 5/64" bit - making it large enough to comfortably fit tenor strings (this isn't quite large enough to double the C string in an Alohi tenor set, but everything else in the set will double easily). I suspect you could probably go to 3/32" and then be able to double the C string but my 3/32" bit is missing so I can't say for certain.
Actually, if you wanted to be anal about it you could probably drill the C string tuner to 3/32, the E & G string tuners to 5/64, and leave the A string tuner alone and then be able to double loop all the strings in an Alohi tenor set. I drilled only the E & C tuners and there wasn't quite room to double-loop the G string. Fortunately, Alohi strings aren't as slick as fluorocarbon so none of them tended to slip.
If you decide to drill any of the tuners out just go slow - the metal is fairly soft and drills easily. Also, you need to use a folded up bit of fine (320 grit, or so) wet or dry sandpaper to knock the sharp edges off the widened holes to make sure they don't cut strings.
John
Actually, if you wanted to be anal about it you could probably drill the C string tuner to 3/32, the E & G string tuners to 5/64, and leave the A string tuner alone and then be able to double loop all the strings in an Alohi tenor set. I drilled only the E & C tuners and there wasn't quite room to double-loop the G string. Fortunately, Alohi strings aren't as slick as fluorocarbon so none of them tended to slip.
If you decide to drill any of the tuners out just go slow - the metal is fairly soft and drills easily. Also, you need to use a folded up bit of fine (320 grit, or so) wet or dry sandpaper to knock the sharp edges off the widened holes to make sure they don't cut strings.
John