The friction tuners on my vintage Kamaka soprano are slipping. What is the best cure for this? If replacing them is the way to go, is there anything I need to know before ordering them and who do I order them from? Thanks.
The friction tuners on my vintage Kamaka soprano are slipping. What is the best cure for this? If replacing them is the way to go, is there anything I need to know before ordering them and who do I order them from? Thanks.
Just tighten the screws until they feel like they lock in tune when you tighten them that should do the trick.
I had to do that with my old martin soprano and it worked fine.
Those vintage tuners are terrible. A set of Gotoh UKA's or Grover 4W's are smooth as silk and don't use the wood as the friction point. PM me if you want a set of Gotoh UKA cheap. I have a spare set.
The first picture shows Grover 4w's on a 1961 gold Label Kamaka soprano, the second pict is the Gotoh UKA's on a newer Kamaka soprano
Right on. That's the ticket, no kidding. Mine are like that. I love them that way. Not kidding. It's like Eddie Van Halen's axe...they tighten the tuners and Floyd Rise bridge so tight, he can dive bomb all night...still in tune.