Know of someone to fix antique tuners? Anyone?

[bribass]

Who knows of a metal worker or machinist who knows how to tweak antique tuners? The tuning machines on my old Prescott are at least VERY old if not original (c.1820). They rattle sometimes and the tuning pegs are loose in their collars esp. while changing strings. I don't have the heart to replace them. They still basically work fine.

BG

[nicklloyd]

I don't know of anyone specifically, but if you were to remove the tuners from the bass and get them to a shop that repairs jewelry... that might work....?

[robobass]

I don't know about a jewelery repair person for this gig. Jewelers are not machinists. I'm guessing these are wood pegs. They have likely shrunk with time, and are no longer round. You could get new ones turned. Wood pegs are not intended to last forever. If you really want to keep using yours, perhaps you could get a machinist to turn some brass sleeves to act as spacers. He would also have to put the pegs on the lathe to round and flatten the spots where the spacers will go. The the pegs must also have play at the other end of the pegbox. A machinist could also make sleeves for this, and carve the pegs accordingly. You also will have to have the pegbox holes reamed slightly in any event.
Making sleeves would be incredibly labor intensive compared to just replacing the pegs, but on an instrument like this, if you found the right guy, it might just be worth doing. I would look for someone older, who has done like antique furniture hardware repairs/replicas. If he messes it up, you only lose the pegs. If the cog/wormgear business is badly worn, I would scrap the whole idea though. This would have been a great project for me when I had my Brooklyn shop, but I don't think any bassist would have agreed to my prices! Since the tuners work tolerably at the moment, I would wait for as long as it takes for the right opportunity to come along.
Hope this helps!
Robobass
P.S. Post some pictures if you can!

[D McCartney]

Originally Posted by robobass

I don't know about a jewelery repair person for this gig. Jewelers are not machinists.

Unless they're watchmakers.
If the components are metal, brass or steel, you might try a clockmaker or watchmaker.
Dwight

[Charlie Nilles]

I've got some old old tuners that rattle just like yours. But I've got a miracle cure: Rubber Bands.

[jvillarreal]

Actually, if the pegs are original, then they're probably metal, in which case there is not much adjustment you could do. Maybe if you got a luthier to tighen up the holes in the pegbox it would help, but rubber bands do the trick, too.

Good luck, and let me know if you ever want to sell your bass

[bribass]

Thanks for the comments guys. The pegs are metal. Not wood. They are not the problem. It's the tuning keys themselves. The shafts are loose in their "collars" that hold them to the side plates, and the gear teeth of the cogs. They almost come out when changing strings, but are snug when strung to tune. They rattle occasionally. I do think the rubber band thing would work. Doesn't look so great though. They seem old enough to be original to the instrument. The tuning keys look like they were hammered by a blacksmith so I'd like to stick w/ them. Arnold Schnitzer says they work amazingly well considering.

Here's a pic: http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/View...858&p=73708852

jvillarreal, I'm not selling anytime soon. Thanks, BG

[jvillarreal]

awesome pics... very noice!

[Alex Scott]

Have you tried breaking off some toothpicks in the collars?

Good luck

[bribass]

Originally Posted by Alex Scott

Have you tried breaking off some toothpicks in the collars?

Good luck

Hmmm... I'll try it. Thanks!

BG

[Paul Warburton]

Originally Posted by bribass

Thanks for the comments guys. The pegs are metal. Not wood. They are not the problem. It's the tuning keys themselves. The shafts are loose in their "collars" that hold them to the side plates, and the gear teeth of the cogs. They almost come out when changing strings, but are snug when strung to tune. They rattle occasionally. I do think the rubber band thing would work. Doesn't look so great though. They seem old enough to be original to the instrument. The tuning keys look like they were hammered by a blacksmith so I'd like to stick w/ them. Arnold Schnitzer says they work amazingly well considering.

Here's a pic: http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/View...858&p=73708852

jvillarreal, I'm not selling anytime soon. Thanks, BG

They are gorgeous!They look like old English Baker machines. I would do whatever it took or cost to make them right!!! Hell, do you remember the stories that used to go around about the things that BIRD would come up with to make his alto work? Rubber bands, spoons. Chicken wings and on and on. Some Chitlins!!! You can do it!!!!!!Youll be the next Bird of the BASS!!!! ( And, don't forget the greasy paper bag for your case.)

[bribass]

Originally Posted by Paul Warburton

They are gorgeous!They look like old English Baker machines. I would do whatever it took or cost to make them right!!! Hell, do you remember the stories that used to go around about the things that BIRD would come up with to make his alto work? Rubber bands, spoons. Chicken wings and on and on. Some Chitlins!!! You can do it!!!!!!Youll be the next Bird of the BASS!!!! ( And, don't forget the greasy paper bag for your case.)

Yes, thanks. I DO want to stick w/ them. I think putting shiny new tuning machines on this bass would be a kind of crime against nature, or at least history when I have these antique ones in basically good working order. I enjoy that Be-bop "do whatever it takes" spirit. I don't know about putting my Prescott in a greasy paper bag though .

That spirit reminds me of when I was a young lad and playin' gigs w/ great old stalwart beboppers from Philly like Butch Ballard (drm) and Sam Dockery (pn). They used to call me "young blood" and when I complained one night about sore chops after some of their blistering tempos they'd say "aw, just soak your fingers in some bourbon and keep on playin'."

BG

[anonymous0726]

Use a plastic beer cup for a bushing, or even a soda straw if you can find the right size. Shove the material in there and around the shafts and then trim them and shove the material out of site.

[wolvertone]

heat shink tubing?

[daveant]

David Gage in NYC.
www.DavidGage.com

[bribass]

Originally Posted by Ray Parker

Use a plastic beer cup for a bushing, or even a soda straw if you can find the right size. Shove the material in there and around the shafts and then trim them and shove the material out of site.

Thanks Ray, That sounds doable and cheap.