Unofficial Taylor Guitar Forum - UTGF

Lessons, Recordings, How Tos, Repair, Accessories => Lessons, Recordings, How Tos, Repair, Accessories => Topic started by: Mus3r1971 on December 22, 2019, 06:18:32 AM

Title: GS Mini not keeping tune
Post by: Mus3r1971 on December 22, 2019, 06:18:32 AM

Hey folks, wondering if someone might be able to help me out.......

I recently swapped out the tuning buttons on my GS mini Koa for ebony buttons. I kept the same tuning heads, just changed the buttons. Since then I've noticed the guitar doesn't seem to tune so easily and goes out of tune again really quickly. When I tune the guitar using the on board tuner it sounds way off to my ear and when compared with a stand-alone tuner it is definitely off.  It was absolutely fine before I changed the buttons.
 
Have I messed something up when I changed them? Could I have over tightened them or something? I thought it would be a quick and simple upgrade but now I'm worried I've damaged the tuning heads. It does look pretty though  :)

Any ideas or advice appreciated, thank-you.

Title: Re: GS Mini not keeping tune
Post by: zeebow on December 22, 2019, 11:52:28 AM

i’m not sure exactly bc i received my gs mini with gotoh minis installed. my mini goes out of time every day, and i didn’t rely in the built in tuner bc it’s not as accurate as a poly tune tuner i use.

just tune it before every play, technically a good practice anyway :)

Title: Re: GS Mini not keeping tune
Post by: woodnut on December 22, 2019, 06:23:25 PM

I charged the plastic pins for the abalone capped ones and had the same issue but they calmed down after a few tunings.
:D Danny

Title: Re: GS Mini not keeping tune
Post by: zeebow on December 22, 2019, 08:37:52 PM

Quote from: woodnut on December 22, 2019, 06:23:25 PM

I charged the plastic pins for the abalone capped ones and had the same issue but they calmed down after a few tunings.
:D Danny

yep. i also changed my plastic pins to ebony pins with abalone. wonder if that’s what’s causing it

Title: Re: GS Mini not keeping tune
Post by: woodnut on December 24, 2019, 06:42:41 PM

I also had to push down on the new pins with a small piece of hardwood as some wouldn’t seat properly. Check to see if their all at the same height.
:D Danny

Title: Re: GS Mini not keeping tune
Post by: Mus3r1971 on December 27, 2019, 08:21:31 AM

Interesting.... I also changed out the plastic pins for ebony pins at the same time as the buttons and I had a bit of bother seating one of them. Maybe that's the problem and not the buttons. Thank-you!!
I'll investigate as soon as i get home from work  :)

Title: Re: GS Mini not keeping tune
Post by: Guitars44me on December 29, 2019, 12:59:41 PM

I do not think the onboard tuner is very accurate to begin with. But it is better than nothing, for sure.
 I always check fine tuning by ear, using harmonics, even with my TC poly tune  which is super accurate. And I check tuning every time I pick up a guitar. Amazing how often they go out a bit...

What did you use for your buttons, and where did you get them?

I am looking for similar buttons for a 2017 552 12 string with stock Taylor mini tuners.
 Are yours a nice fit on the Taylor mini tuners? May I ask where you found yours?

Cheers

Paul

Title: Re: GS Mini not keeping tune
Post by: Mus3r1971 on January 05, 2020, 09:10:33 PM

I used the Schaller style small ebony buttons and they were a perfect fit. I got them from the Stewmac website. I'll have to try and post a photo at some point  :)

https://www.stewmac.com/Hardware_and_Parts/Tuning_Machines/Tuner_Parts/Schaller_Replacement_Knobs.html?pref_currency=P

Title: Re: GS Mini not keeping tune
Post by: DBCooper on June 15, 2020, 09:25:19 AM

I realize this is an old post....but....

If your guitar is having issued staying in tune, it's probably not your tuners.  It's probably your nut (needs lubricating).