Installing Gotoh Tuners On A Bronco: Will the Larger Diameter Post Cause An Issue?

pilmat

pilmat

On the journey
Jan 30, 2009
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St-Hyacinthe, QC
#1
As the title, I’m swapping the stock Bronco tuners for Gotoh GB350. The post is 11mm versus the 7mm of the stock. This will move the string tangent on the post creating an angle from the nut. Is this an issue? I’m thinking of making a drill jig to move the hole center to reduce this new angle as much as possible, but I might be overthinking it…
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#3
If you have the tools to make a jig and do a clean job of it, you might as well relocate the centers. You will be happier with the visual result.

But no, if they are angled a little bit, it’s not a problem as long as the nut is firmly in place.
 
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#4
96tbird said:
If you have the tools to make a jig and do a clean job of it, you might as well relocate the centers. You will be happier with the visual result.

But no, if they are angled a little bit, it’s not a problem as long as the nut is firmly in place.
Click to expand...

...and shaped properly. That means the slot should flair and slant toward the headstock as the string travels towards the machine. The slots should resemble a funnel that has been cut in half, a graceful one though.
 
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#5
Thanks!

The drill jig is 3D printed, quite thick, to support the drill while locating its new center. And the string tree is used to locate the jig.
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Should get the drilling done in the morning, I’ll post back the outcome.
 
#6
I wouldn't be relying on the string tree for anything. Fender string trees are all over the place. Anywhere from just forward of the A tuner post to midway between the A and D, I don't know if Squier trees are any better or not. The headstock edge should be a much better reference.

The empty holes should be filled before you drill new ones. The hole edge will grab the drill and try to reroute it into the existing hole.
 
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#7
Yes, a standard drill probably won’t work in this case unless you fill the existing holes. A Forstner bit and a drill press might work but I’d drill a hole the same size as the existing ones in scrap maple and try your jig first in that.
 
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