Geometric-shaped string tuners on Mosrites

[B52]

Does anyone have information on the geometric-shaped string tuners on Mosrites from like 1969-1971.

They are really unusual. I have them on my 1971 VI (#V0231).

The only other guitars I have seen them on are late 1960's Standels & Harptones.
Seems like Mosrite stopped using them in 72-73 and went back to Klusons.
I think Kurt Cobain had them on his Gospel.

Does anyone know who manufactured them, & does anyone else have them on their Mosrites?

Thanks,
B52

[mosman]

I have them on my '71.When I bought it used, the last owner had put on black Dimazio's which didn't look right at all.I thought I needed a set of Klusons but when I found out what I really needed I knew I was in for a battle.Noone here in Australia had any and so I kept watching US ebay, but in the last twelve months since I bought the guitar I've only seen one set - which I snapped up for $100 US.The problem is that they're so stiff I needed both hands to turn them.Most people told me they were useless and to chuck 'em out but I tried putting a few drops of oil on the threads which helped a bit - but they're still hard to turn.Good luck finding some, although it's worth the search, if only for having the guitar look right.

[dorkrockrecords]

They are on my Maphis octave neck (see the For Sale page or eBay) and they are Japanese.

[dubtrub]

Are you guy's talking about these?



I soaked these over night in mineral spirits sloshed them around real good and now they are real smooth operating.

[mosman]

So I'm not the only one who had a bunch that were hard to turn eh?I wonder if it's a charactristic of their design or just sad coincidence?I might take them off and try the mineral spirits.It would be good to have them work right.

[B52]

Hey Guys,

Yeah, that's them. And yes I did notice them on the Maphis octave currently listed on ebay.
It's a fact they can be tough to deal with at times; I got used to the peculiarities of mine on the 71 through the years. I almost changed them in the late 1980's but thought better to leave it all original.

It seems they are a product of Japan, but no-one seems to know the manufacturer; they are heavy and well made units. I guess they speak to the challeging years post-Ventures deal and getting the company up and running again in the early-1970's.

It seems the Klusons came back around #V0350 or so. Again, mine is V0231.

Thanks,
B52

[Dennisthe Menace]

B52 posted:

It seems they are a product of Japan, but no-one seems to know the manufacturer; they are heavy and well made units. I guess they speak to the challeging years post-Ventures deal and getting the company up and running again in the early-1970's.

I'm guessing they might of been made by either Ping or Gotoh?? And that's just a guess
I've got them on my 70's Celebrity III, and yes, they were a PAIN until I took them apart
and did the the SAME THING a few years ago that Danny did. So far, they have been fine.....

[sycamoregrove]

I've got a full set of these on my Japanese Beatle copy guitar ( a Regent, I think). I'd sell 'em if they were worth anything to a Mosrite restorer.

[B52]

And another example pops up; the wrecked-up Combo just listed on Ebay gives a couple of good shots of these odd-ball Mosrite tuners. It seems Semie used them, here and there, on almost all models in the late sixties and early seventies.

I will try the mineral oil on mine, as a couple of you guys suggested.

Thanks,
Al. (B52)

[dubtrub]

I will try the mineral oil on mine, as a couple of you guys suggested.

Thanks,
Al. (B52)

Keep in mind that the mineral oil bath is only a cleaning agent, it is not a lubricant. Seperate the back cover to expose the gears, let it soak for about 24hrs to soften the grime and dried grease, then use a stiff brush to brush away loose particles. You can then relube the gears with a very small dab Vasaline and reassemble.