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To Grover or not to Grover

Manolian

Les Paul Froum Member
Joined
Aug 22, 2008
Messages
645
(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!)
Agreed, I have a 1991 Ovation custom balladeer , great sound , and also plays great.:salude
 

Elliot Easton

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 5, 2003
Messages
3,478
In the early days, people put Grovers in because the stock tuners were really bad in how they 'worked'. The new ones that come on Historics are very high quality, so this need is gone.

Sure, there are minor tone differeneces, but back in the day, IF the Vintage tuners worked as good as today's, most would of never changed them on LP-Standards, and there would be no need to copy their trend. :)


Absolutely, and even if the stock Klusons are slipping or have dead spots, there's always the TonePros which no longer require any reaming.
 

Plexihead

New member
Joined
Dec 8, 2007
Messages
103
First of all, man let's see some more pics of that guitar. Smokin'!

I grew up seeing Grovers on Gibson headstocks(my dad's guitar, others around town, Jimmy etc.)and I like the way they work, so it's always Grovers for me. That said, I still have the Klusons on my R4, but that's just me being lazy.

But, you GOTTA get old ones!

groover1.JPG


groover2.JPG

That looks great! Are those the original washers, they look to be smaller in diameter from what I'm familiar with, or maybe it's just the angle.
 
Last edited:

The Shifter

Active member
Joined
Aug 31, 2004
Messages
3,397
Plexi:

They are small. Some Grovers had the big washers and some had the small. Not sure what year for which, but I've seen both sizes on old Grovers.

I like to think of them like areolas!:worm
 

Plexihead

New member
Joined
Dec 8, 2007
Messages
103
Plexi:

They are small. Some Grovers had the big washers and some had the small. Not sure what year for which, but I've seen both sizes on old Grovers.

I like to think of them like areolas!:worm

Thanks Shifter, I definitely prefer the smaller diameter washers, but will have to grab the first set that come up at an ok price regardless of the washer size (likely not the smaller version).

As far as Areolas ... no preferenece there, like 'em all. :spabout
 

Klunkerbill

New member
Joined
Sep 3, 2009
Messages
16
Mom always said there's no such thing as a stupid question, so to prove her wrong, here goes...

What if I wanted to go back to Klusons from Grovers? I was thinking of taking something back to stock. Anyone done it?
 

strat71

Member
Joined
Jul 7, 2006
Messages
79
Re: To Grover or not to Grover: another option..

hi,
i hate original kluson on new les paul... they don't keep the tune right...

i wanted to change 'em for a better tuners set on my CR8.. i thought about the Grovers BUT, i think it does change the sound of the guitar and i prefer the kluson sound, more woody and airy...

so i tried the tonepros kluson... i'm quite satisfied, it has the kluson sound, but a huge tuning stability...

the drawback is that you'll have to enlarge the hole: on both side, on the back of course but also on the front, a very little but the washers are a little bit larger than the original ones... you need the TP/kluson washers, they fit right with the tuners... i used a dremel with a cylindrical stone for dusting the wood... don't go too fast or the wood will burn and turn to black..

so i think i got best of both world, the tuning stability, the less weight and the original sound... of course you miss the grover look... i love it... but to me sound is more important than look...

Ben
 

P.K.C.

New member
Joined
Jun 1, 2006
Messages
86
You can open the holes from the BACK, with a reamer. Just open them enough for the Grovers to fit. It does change the tone and it changes the balance as the Grovers are heavier. You can always go back to Klusons if you do it this way.
 

BIG Dave

Active member
Joined
Aug 18, 2001
Messages
2,421
I did a conversion to Grovers a long time ago on a black Custom. It was cool that the tuners said 'GROVER' on them (why? continue reading...) although I wouldn't do it again. I don't have any tuning problems with the stock Klusons and I prefer the way they look compared to the Grovers. And if anyone would want a guitar that says 'GROVER' on it, would be me!

Sincerely,
David GROVER
 

mantra

New member
Joined
Sep 2, 2002
Messages
422
Not!! I have grovers on some of my guitars and I can't stand them!
 

bigworm04

Member
Joined
Jun 11, 2005
Messages
280
Did it to my 50th R8 and couldn't be happier. It increased the sustain and add some zip, much more lively. USA made, chrome finish. I'm not looking back.
 

jbzoso2002

New member
Joined
May 10, 2009
Messages
1,089
Every Les Paul I will ever own will have Grovers.

Unless its a real burst......but that will never happen.

Jimmy:salude
 

Shantrick

New member
Joined
Jan 27, 2008
Messages
478
I have already had my 2007 R9 refinished so I'm not concerned with resale value. I just like the way the Grovers look. I was told to buy new ones and let them sit in acid fumes for half an hour. That will give them the aged look. Let's see what happen. :spabout
 

fernieite

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 3, 2010
Messages
609
Grover's are nice tuners and look cool, but I can't stand the bulky size or the weight of them. I converted my old 2005 R8 to vintage Grover's and quickly put it back to the stock Kluson's. I also took the stock Grover's off my 1970 Martin D28 and converted it to Kluson's. Each to his own, I guess... Just a preference thing (YMMV) :hmm
 

felixq78

New member
Joined
May 16, 2009
Messages
16
You don't need to drill out the holes to accommodate the Grovers on a Les Paul do you? I didn't have to on the SG.
I have a set of Grovers I lifted from a Guild S100 Polara that I used to own and in my case I'd have to drill out the peg holes in my 1993 Gibson Les Paul '56 Reissue Custom Shop, Goldtop But I am reluctant to do so. Should I or shouldn't I ?
 
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