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To Grover or not to Grover

Joined
Aug 11, 2006
Messages
840
Personally- I like the older Grovers and Schallers equally-
and prefer them both over Tulips primarily
because they make the guitar feel a bit rougher-in tone and vibe.
I never liked the idea of plastic tulip tuners- too easy to bang, bend, & dent.
Grovers and Schallers are simply a rougher approach-
Also I simply got used to 'em over the years- on so many guitars-
A guitar just did not feel broken in and road ready without 'em.
Definitley works for many players- but obviously not all
I've never regretted it-
but suggest you wait until you are certain-
 

marshall1987

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 30, 2005
Messages
3,278
Grover and/or Schaller Advantages vs. Klusons:
(1) Tuning stability; (2) Tone and sustain "enhancement"; (3) Nice big buttons facilitate tuning and string changes; (4) Appearance & style; (5) Slightly shallower string break over angle at headstock

Grover and/or Schaller Disadvantages vs. Klusons:
(1) Added weight; (2) Tone change vs. Klusons; (3) Not vintage correct; (4) Sharper string break over angle at headstock; (5) Appearance & style
 

stock_hippie

Les Paul Froum Member
Joined
Jul 15, 2006
Messages
4,247
Klusons for me, all the way...i especially like that Klusons go out of tune ever 5 minutes...
 

jalevinemd

Member
Joined
May 7, 2007
Messages
916
Duane / Jimmy P / Keef / Rossington -
(vintage enuf ?)
we think so!


I agree. I guess whether or not they're "vintage correct" depends on how you define the term. For me, it means a guitar similar to the ones used by players whose Bursts defined the music associated with that guitar today. Guys like Mike Bloomfield, Duane Allman, Jimmy Page, Joe Walsh, Gary Rossington (Schaller), etc...etc...

Who can name anyone who played one of these beauties back in '58, '59 or '60? :hmm
And Besides, nearly every Les Paul reissued in someone's name (burst or not) has Grovers or something else on it.

For me it's more a matter of "vintage player correct" as opposed to "vintage collector correct." And I know there's a lot of important musicians who played with the original Klusons. They're just not the ones I listen to. :)
 

Manolian

Les Paul Froum Member
Joined
Aug 22, 2008
Messages
645
For me, it means a guitar similar to the ones used by players whose Bursts defined the music associated with that guitar today. Guys like Mike Bloomfield, Duane Allman, Jimmy Page, Joe Walsh, Gary Rossington (Schaller), etc...etc...

:)

Agreed ,one of my favorite Les Paul tones, the Clapton "Beano", had Grovers on it.:ganz
 
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bluesjuke

Active member
Joined
Feb 6, 2005
Messages
7,007
I was so glad when Gibson started putting the Klusons back on the Lesters.

That's my vote in this game.
 
O

Olli

Guest
I just put aged 18:1 ratio Grovers from RS on my R8. I love them. Very authetic look. When tuning the feel is superior to the Klusons (although I had no tuning stability issues wth these) Tone and sustain are the same though - the difference I hear now is probably associated with the string change.

I did experience an improvement in bending and vibrato though. Probably because of the shallower break angle over the nut compared to the klusons.

I love them on my guitar and would do it again in a heartbeat.
 

Greco

New member
Joined
Apr 23, 2006
Messages
2,181
I love Grovers. I always have my R8 to hand on a stand by the sofa. Central heating, indoors, outside, summer, winter - I can play it everyday and could probably go months without tuning it. Sooner or later paranoia always get the better of me though and I break out the tuner, or go to play plugged in and tune it out of habbit, but what do you know - it's still damn near perfectly in tune. Klusons just fall out of tune randomly even if you don't even touch the guitar or even if you've just tuned up.


Gotta get the old one's though! :headbange

2303241164_b01e9c91e3_b.jpg
 
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pist0lpete

New member
Joined
Feb 29, 2008
Messages
849
it just took me some getting used to. Honestly I first thought grovers were an abomination, I'd really only seen Jimmy Page's les paul with them. As I got more involved with the history and started picking out all my favorite players, Grovers were just the thing to have. Only my R9 is without grovers. I can't bear to do anything to it. To me its just beautiful and perfect as is.
 

slammintone

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 19, 2001
Messages
2,003
I'm gonna put the Grovers on hold for now, only because I'm too nervous to make such a permanent change to the pegs on my R9. I just can't imagine not being happy with the result, though. Seems like any guitarist I grew up listening to who played/plays a Les Paul did it - regardless of the reasons. If different tuners actually can have such an impact on tone, it didn't seem to hurt the sounds that Dickey Betts, Gary Rossington, Tom Scholz, Jimmy Page, Pete Townshend, etc...etc...were able to to create. I may wind up doing it eventually. I think, though, that I'll try them on my GO first.

I was going to say, man if you're happy with the axe now I can't see how having Grovers installed, correctly or not btw, would make you more happy. That axe is breathtakingly gorgeous and I'd recommend not cutting up the headstock. If Jimmy Page, EC and others had a better alternative back in the times when they put Grovers on their axes I'm sure they would have used them. There's shitloads of fine tuning gears around now that can replace what's on your axe without drilling or widening existing holes.
 

shakti

Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2007
Messages
494
Anyone know of a good place to get a set of the "good old" Grovers?
 

pist0lpete

New member
Joined
Feb 29, 2008
Messages
849
ebay, there is a guy by the name of Jay selling some top quality stuff and he's real friendly. H is based out of california. I believe the name of his store is PS I Love you.
 

Cottage

New member
Joined
Oct 25, 2002
Messages
582
I got my NOS nickle ones from a friend of mine ($100). Dusty old box, never been opened. I believe he still has a set of chrome ones, maybe I should get them as well.
 

Manolian

Les Paul Froum Member
Joined
Aug 22, 2008
Messages
645
Anyone know of a good place to get a set of the "good old" Grovers?

I have a set of "good old" ones in chrome (20 years old , like new condition) , if you are interested ,email me and let me know.
 

shakti

Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2007
Messages
494
Thanks, but I am thinking I should stay with nickel ones? I have it spec'ed out very much vintage accurate (it's a Historic Makeover), so I would like to keep the hardware all nickel.

My '70 Ovation acoustic has chrome Grovers, and I really like the feel of those, though. (PS, don't flame me for owning an Ovation, I think those guitars are seriously underrated, at least the older ones. Plays like a dream!)
 
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