Telecaster Original Owners Club

[fretworn]

With so many new members in the club these days, including myself… I was wondering how many telecaster’s out there have their tuning pegs set like this?

 

[gearJunkie]

My Fender Highway One tele has modern tuners, but my Starr Guitars "Blackbeard" Esquire has vintage split shafts, but they are open back.

I don't mind staggered vintage style tuners.

 

[DrewJD82]

I’ve got them on my MIM Strat that needs a re-fret before it’s playable, they’re Gotoh’s. I still kept the string tree on because the aesthetic of not having it drives me nuts. Haven’t even played the guitar with them on it yet to know how well they work for the intent, but I don’t really have string tree issues to begin with.

 

[laxu]

The relic Tele I posted yesterday has Gotoh staggered tuners, tho they are a bit taller than the ones in OP's pic.

Any idea why the split shaft tuners are not more common? I have them on this guitar and my Jazzmaster and to me for non-locking tuners they make more sense than standard style. No poking string ends, hold the string well, though not as newbie friendly since you need to be more careful in cutting the strings to the right length.

 

[mavrick102000]

Why have a string tree if they're staggered? More vintage look I suppose.

 

[fretworn]

Why have a string tree if they're staggered? More vintage look I suppose.

As @DrewJD82 said perhaps

 

[FuzzyAce]

Why have a string tree if they're staggered? More vintage look I suppose.

I still prefer it. My observation is that the added tension adds just a bit more volume to the E and B strings which helps.

 

[gearJunkie]

I still prefer it. My observation is that the added tension adds just a bit more volume to the E and B strings which helps.

It's not so much the string tension as it is the break angle over the nut.

 

[FuzzyAce]

I don't have the staggered tuners on my 2 teles, but I've used them on strats.

 

[FuzzyAce]

It's not so much the string tension as it is the break angle over the nut.

I does add slightly more tension ime, but yes the break angle is steeper.

 

[gearJunkie]

I does add slightly more tension ime, but yes the break angle is steeper.

Yes, they are directly related.

 

[laxu]

I have a string tree on my Tele as well. I did swap the metal one for a Graphtech I had in my stash of parts. I don't know if it has any real effect on tuning or anything but peace of mind I suppose.

 

[metropolis_4]

The relic Tele I posted yesterday has Gotoh staggered tuners, tho they are a bit taller than the ones in OP's pic.

Any idea why the split shaft tuners are not more common? I have them on this guitar and my Jazzmaster and to me for non-locking tuners they make more sense than standard style. No poking string ends, hold the string well, though not as newbie friendly since you need to be more careful in cutting the strings to the right length.

I agree, I like them better as well.

The only slight complaint I have with them is that it’s a little trickier to string round core strings on them because you have to crimp the ends before cutting the string, so you need to try to crimp then cut the right length to allow the end of the string to reach the bottom. With hex core strings you just stick the end in to the bottom and crimp it over the side after.

I always thought that was ironic given round core strings were most common when these tuners were used

 

[la szum]

 

[Frankencat]

I love the Gotoh SD-90 split shaft tuners and use them on my personal guitars where appropriate. The staggered ones are pretty slick.