Author Topic: Schaller locking machine heads (Read 141 times)

george_wright · « **on:** January 04, 2009, 09:12:52 AM »

Here's one I know Bill tgo can handle....

Every solstice, I oil fingerboards and change strings. (I know, sounds like some weird pagan ritual :-), but, as a teacher, I'm always off during solstices.)

When it came to restringing my baritone twelve-string, which came equipped with Schaller locking machine heads, I was stumped.

Unscrewing the knurled knobs released the old strings, but the holes where I want to insert the new strings are blocked by what I'm guessing is the set-screw or locking screw.

How do I open the hole to insert the new string? I'm reluctant to use hammer and pliers until I know what I'm doing :-).

TIA.

lbpesq · « **Reply #1 on:** January 04, 2009, 09:35:00 AM »

George:

Funny you should invoke my name. Not three weeks ago I picked up a set of these for a Modulus neck I have. They didn't fit, (that's a WHOLE other story), so I put them on my Ferlembic. When I opened the thumbscrews and tried to look through the holes, it appeared that the holes were blocked. However, when I tried to poke a string end through, it worked, no problem. I think perhaps the internal post springs to the top even when the thumbscrew is loosened. In this regard these differ from the Sperzels, I believe. Otherwise they appear to be fine tuners.

Bill, tgo

P.S. If anyone knows tuners that will fit an older Modulus Strat-type neck, please let me know. Modulus has so far ignored my emails and phone messages seeking info.

dfung60 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 04, 2009, 11:36:28 AM »

Bill -

Was there a problem using regular Gotoh heads on your Modulus neck? Unless something special was requested, Gotoh heads would have been the original equipment, with some fancy instruments coming with Schallers. The regular Gotohs and Schallers have different locations for the little positioning screw so if you see one head and the little hole is in the wrong place, then you probably want the other.

The basses are a different story. Most instruments also have Gotoh heads, but (especially on the old ones) you see lots of different stuff - closed and open frame Schallers, Fender heads, etc. My favorite old Modulus Bassstar P-style bass has oddball open-gear heads marked O.E.M (clearly your sign of quality!), but they work just fine.

David Fung

lbpesq · « **Reply #3 on:** January 04, 2009, 12:21:16 PM »

David:

The problem isn't the positioning screw hole location - I'll drill new holes no problem - this isn't a museum piece. Rather, the problem is the thickness of the head. It seems to be a little thicker than standard and on the tuners I've tried so far, the posts aren't long enough. Then there's the fact that the holes on the top are narrower than on the bottom. I'll check out the regular Gotohs.

Bill, tgo

george_wright · « **Reply #4 on:** January 04, 2009, 01:56:53 PM »

Bill, after reading your post, I took another look, safety pin in hand. The hole is blocked by a spring-loaded locking pin. Once I realized how it worked, it was no problem. Good thing I held off on the hammer and pliers :-).