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Vintage threads from the first ten years

74 Gibson machine-heads...

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8/29/1999 6:01 PM
Fj	74 Gibson machine-heads... on my 74 SG, I would like to "re-condition" (lubricate?), the machine-heads, (they're the ones that have "GIBSON" on them..., What is the recomended lubricant to insure proper function, tuning-stability, etc...? also, the "screw-tension" setting should be adjusted at what tension?...(I figure "just-snug" no?)...Frank.

8/31/1999 8:03 PM

Do the knobs actually have tension screws on them? I'll admit to not being familiar with all that is Gibson, but I thought all the LP & SG types had non-adjustable Kluson tuners. Some folks resorted to replacing them with Grovers that had sealed gear cases and knob tension screws. I set knob screws fairly tight after the strings are tuned up to pitch. Loosen them a bit when winding strings on or off the posts. Tight screws cause the gears to wear faster.

If the tuners are Klusons, I thing you would have to rinse through with a thin penetrating oil or gasoline or kerosene, to dissolve and flood out the dried lubricant (which used to be grease). Then you'd have to push new grease into an opening in the case with a small diameter oiler of some kind.

9/2/1999 1:36 PM

Doc, these are the "Schaller-type"...set screw (for tension)...by working-in the machine heads, I managed to loosen one of the set-screws too much, in-turn, causing the innards of the machine-head to spiral to-the-ground...its one "worm-gear" (like the worm drive hand-saws)...I replaced it after wiping it dowmn & lubricating it with a vaseline/powdered graphite mixture...seems to be just-fine...btw...they ARE GIBSON machine heads..."Norln?-era?)

9/2/1999 4:23 PM

So these are open gear type, like you see on some acoustic guitars? I was wondering how the gears fell on the floor. The Schaller stuff I'm familiar with so far have totally enclosed gearboxes. I'm not sure just how tight you need to make the screw holding down the ring gear. I'm amazed that they would stay where you set them anyway, because they turn and the screw is also the gear's pivot shaft. I guess you set them snugly, but not tight, and check periodically for loosening over time, then snug up again as necessary. it may be possible to use Loctite, but it would be a chore keeping the threads dry & lube-free while having lube on the gear bore.

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