Official Luthiers Forum!

I'm looking for decent quality, 6 on a plate tuners such as you might find on a 12 string guitar- and I ALSO want to find matching 3 on a plate tuners! Kluson type or something like that. Preferably an open-back tuner, I want them to be lightweight.
I'm planning on a 9 string guitar, and I want six strings on one side and three on the other! I'll build two of these, and they'll have mirror image pegheads.

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Mark Swanson
Swanson Guitars
http://www.MarkSwansonMusic.com

Mark that might be tough to find. I have built a couple 9 string that were 3 over 6 but I used mini Grovers Rotomaticson one and mini M6s on the other. 6 on a plate I have not got a glue

inexpensive 6 on a plates are available from international lutier supplies for one, but higher quality 6 on a plate tuners seem to be like rocking horse manure and hen's teeth unless you go to rodgers or similar.

Check out Gotoh SD91 tuners. They are "individual" covered gears like old Klusons, but their mounting plates are made in a way so that you can "gang mount" them in a 6-in-a-row manner that looks like they are one continuos plate. They are available in a number of finishes and button options.
The "open gear" equivalents are SD701.
I'd check AllParts first to see if they have them. Two sets of 12 would do your two guitars.

Here's a link to a site that has what Hank is talking about. Check out the bottom of the page.

Gotoh Machine Heads

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Joe Breault
Merrimack, NH
Perpetual novice

Thanks, Hank I'll have a look. By the way, for a nine string I will need one six string set, and one 12 string set, not two sets of twelve! One side of the peghead will have three tuners and the other side will have six.

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Mark Swanson
Swanson Guitars
http://www.MarkSwansonMusic.com

[QUOTE=Mark Swanson] Thanks, Hank I'll have a look. By the way, for a nine string I will need one six string set, and one 12 string set, not two sets of twelve! One side of the peghead will have three tuners and the other side will have six. [/QUOTE]

I don't know if you can get those in a six string set. I figured you would have three left over from each side (if I read your first post correctly) that you could use later on a regular six string instrument. Or...include an extra of each side with each guitar for any future need should a tuner develop problems...sort of a long term insurance plan.

If you feel its worth the $$, talk to mr Alessi. That would be sweet wouldnt it?

www.alessituningmachines.it

I don't think I'll go the expensive route here!These are experimental guitars and I plan to keep them. I played one once, the three high strings were doubled and the low three were single. It was really cool, and a lot easier to play than a 12 string. I made up my mind to build one, and I am getting ready to take the jump. I'm just going to use what I have around here, and keep them light and fun. Small bodies, 24.9 scale.
Hank, that does seem like getting two 12 string sets would be a good idea....I'd have an extra six.
Thanks for your help, everyone!

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Mark Swanson
Swanson Guitars
http://www.MarkSwansonMusic.com

Mark, I have ground down the flanges on the new Grover open backs to
get a continuous looking set for a 12-string. The hole spacing ends up
15/16", iirc [or was it 31/32"?]. See if you can find the photos I posted on
MIMF. If not, email me.Howard Klepper38650.9257060185

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Howard Klepper
http://www.klepperguitars.com

When all else fails, clean the shop.

Howard, sure I remember that- I'll have a look again and thanks for that tip.

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Mark Swanson
Swanson Guitars
http://www.MarkSwansonMusic.com

[QUOTE=Mark Swanson] I don't think I'll go the expensive route here!These are experimental guitars and I plan to keep them. I played one once, the three high strings were doubled and the low three were single. It was really cool, and a lot easier to play than a 12 string. I made up my mind to build one, and I am getting ready to take the jump. I'm just going to use what I have around here, and keep them light and fun. Small bodies, 24.9 scale.
Hank, that does seem like getting two 12 string sets would be a good idea....I'd have an extra six.
Thanks for your help, everyone! [/QUOTE]

Alverez Yairi made a nine string model back in the 80's with the double corse Gg,bb,ee. I loved that guitar. Great Travis pick guitar. I believe they stoped making it in 1990 I lost mine to theft in 1998. So when I started building the third guitar I built was a Gg,bb,ee 9 string. I have since built three each one for my self but every time I complete one I have someone want it, so I sold it. My plan is that the Quilted Sapele/Curly Redwood SJ I am just starting is going to be a 9 string. I will probably use Gover mini locking tuners. I can get 6 on a side with only 1" extra lengh in the peghead.