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Banjo tuners on low E only for drop D

Posted on 10/10/23 at 4:14 am
Posted by BorrisMart
La
Member since Jul 2020
8833 posts
Posted on 10/10/23 at 4:14 am
I will try to not make this too complicated in asking, but has anyone had any experience with doing this, basically Waylon style. He used Scruggs and/or Keith (Beacon Banjo Co. I think) tuners I believe, but they do have another brand called Schallers which look to be similar in setup and style. My only experience with the Hiptshot is the article they did way back with the Waylon guitar at FCS in the 90s he specifically mentioned loving everything about it except the hipshot and getting a Scruggs thrown back on his personal ones.

I suppose the main question is, for a project guitar, that I was planning on doing some random tinkering to, I had always wanted to do that but the guitar currently I am planning on using has the vintage locker tuners (I am assuming, they are the 50 vintages but on a newer CIJ tele). I will be grabbing another mexitele soon which has the more modern tuners which the squarer back. Which might be the cheaper option to "project" on.

TLDR: Anyone have experience with this, and if so how much/ if any did you have to widen the low E's tuner hole to fit it. That or did it fit with any particular set of tuners that you already had on the guitar? Not trying to make a Waylon replica just a parts caster of sorts as a project. Any suggestions welcome. Keeping it ash try barrel bridged and preferably single coiled but other than that, I am all ears.

ETA:
This appears to be from a mexitele with the sticker pulled off and leather wrapped to be like the blackguard Waylon guitar with a Schallers tuner. I guess Schallers will fit but those tuners were replaced I think. Some how overlooked that photo yesterday.

This post was edited on 10/10/23 at 4:30 am
Posted by auggie
Opelika, Alabama
Member since Aug 2013
28315 posts
Posted on 10/10/23 at 7:19 am to
Looks like Hipshot GT2 is the way to go. ( to replace the modern sealed tuner)
LINK
but what does Marty Stewart have on his Telly?
This post was edited on 10/10/23 at 7:50 am
Posted by TheFretShack
Member since Oct 2015
1242 posts
Posted on 10/10/23 at 10:31 am to
I'll only add ... whatever tuner/device you pick ...

If you have to widen a vintage tuner hole to accept a modern diameter tuner, DO NOT use a drill. Even a new, sharp drill bit of the proper diameter mounted in a drill press usually splinters the head. And a hand drill is GUARANTEED to splinter the head.

Use a hand-operated peg reamer. Considering you'll rarely use it, an affordable Harbor Freight reamer should take care of you without spending luthier tooling $$$.

T-handle peg reamer
Posted by FightinTigersDammit
Louisiana North
Member since Mar 2006
34879 posts
Posted on 10/10/23 at 12:23 pm to
I think Marty has Clarence White's Telecaster
Posted by auggie
Opelika, Alabama
Member since Aug 2013
28315 posts
Posted on 10/10/23 at 1:12 pm to
quote:

I think Marty has Clarence White's Telecaster

yes he does. He's got drop tuners on both E strings, but I don't know what kind. and it's also got a B bender...the thangs rednecks will do to their guitars
Wish I had one like that.

He also said that the first time he took the back off of it, there was a hit of acid inside.
This post was edited on 10/10/23 at 2:05 pm
Posted by FightinTigersDammit
Louisiana North
Member since Mar 2006
34879 posts
Posted on 10/10/23 at 1:23 pm to
Also has that Bundeswehr sticker. I'm sure that's for tone.
Posted by BorrisMart
La
Member since Jul 2020
8833 posts
Posted on 10/11/23 at 3:27 am to
I appreciate all of the input. I had seen people mention not drilling online but was unsure of a proper way to do it.. I meant to add Clarence in there. I think the Scruggs only come in sets of two so I could see how someone tinkering would end up going that route, I feel like that guitar was pre Waylon using one.
Posted by auggie
Opelika, Alabama
Member since Aug 2013
28315 posts
Posted on 10/11/23 at 6:24 am to
Personally, if I was going to try doing that, I would look for a deal on a used classic vibe telly and experiment with that first.
They're pretty darn good guitars and you can pick one up for probably $250ish.
I saw one of the Hipshot GT2 drop tuners on Reverb for about 80 bucks, that was still new in the original package. You could have a pretty cool guitar for around $ 325.
There is also this fantastic partscaster on reverb that I can tell you, is a deal that's hard to beat.
LINK
Posted by The Don
Praireville
Member since Sep 2006
864 posts
Posted on 10/11/23 at 3:31 pm to
I’ve considered doing this many times as I’m a tele player and do a lot of drop d but have read, heard and seen videos that they are very difficult to tune
Posted by BorrisMart
La
Member since Jul 2020
8833 posts
Posted on 10/11/23 at 6:28 pm to
Yeah a squier might be the better first experiment one financially lol. @theDon I have read that is throws the other strings tuning into difficulty, also. I'll read more into that,
Posted by auggie
Opelika, Alabama
Member since Aug 2013
28315 posts
Posted on 10/11/23 at 6:34 pm to
quote:

I’ve considered doing this many times as I’m a tele player and do a lot of drop d but have read, heard and seen videos that they are very difficult to tune


You would need to always have everything the same, and get it figured out. Really good quality strings, always the same gauge, same brand. Always put on the right way. No tweaking on your saddles etc.. Every time you change anything, you would have to figure it out again. Even then, venue conditions will come into play, for a studio guitar, it would be much easier.
Posted by The Don
Praireville
Member since Sep 2006
864 posts
Posted on 10/11/23 at 7:05 pm to
Yep… that’s why I have a tuner on my board. It’s way too finicky for me.
Posted by auggie
Opelika, Alabama
Member since Aug 2013
28315 posts
Posted on 10/11/23 at 7:30 pm to
That link I sent you, it's a heluva great Telly and has the modern Fender tuners. Easy installation with that hipshot deal.
It doesn't even have 10 hours playing time since it was put together.
Posted by BorrisMart
La
Member since Jul 2020
8833 posts
Posted on 10/13/23 at 6:22 pm to
Yeah I have been eyeballing it pretty hard. I krrp one more then I'll stop for a while....then play something that feels and sounds great and end up getting it,
Posted by auggie
Opelika, Alabama
Member since Aug 2013
28315 posts
Posted on 10/13/23 at 6:49 pm to
quote:

Yeah I have been eyeballing it pretty hard. I krrp one more then I'll stop for a while....then play something that feels and sounds great and end up getting it,


Well, if you're around Baton Rouge, I can bring it to you, or meet you halfway or whatever. It's right man.
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