Seeking a Resource for Tuning Machine Replacement Parts: Brass Cog

[Steve Davison]

Hi all,

I'm seeking a resource for Tuning Machine parts.  I'm working on a 1980's era Takamine guitar and found the Brass Cog teeth on a tuner has been sheared down by the worm to the point it will no longer rotate when attempting to tune the guitar.  I only need the brass cog, any suppliers of such pieces out there?  Thanks - Steve

[harrison phipps]

These things come in a huge varity of configurations. Different number of teeth, pitch, mounting holes, size... I have a box of these and sift through them when I need a single replacement. I have never seen a source where they can be purchased. I also have a larger box of used tuners I have accumulated over the years and sometimes sift through it to find a similar tuner, take it apart to get the replacement part.

[Eric Steven Johansen]

Harrison's doing the same thing we all do. It's called go fish. Save everything you take off over the years, it's the only way to have the parts you need. I'll buy boxes of stuff at swap meets as well.

[harrison phipps]

Go fish, I love it! Got any two's?

[Steve Davison]

Thanks for your input Harrison and Eric.  I was pretty sure cannibalism was going to be the answer since my online search was not productive.  I appreciate your help...Thanks!

Steve

[Ned Knepp]

If you don't mind me asking, why not just replace the tuners? It seems to me that the existing tuners will probably do the same thing if you only replace the brass gears and I'm not aware of '80's era Takamine guitars, while pretty good, being particularly collectible. 

[Steve Davison]

Ned, you are right...I'm sure the rest of the tuners are in just as bad of shape and replaceing all the tuners makes the most sense.  This job is a freebie favor for a musician friend, it started out with me repairing the neck to body joint that was seperating, the joint was just a butt joint with 3 dowels from the heel to the laminated body.  With that done I was stringing up the old gal today when one of the tuners gave it's last gasp.  This "friend" wasn't looking to put any money into the guitar (just my time) but this would be an easy and worthwhile fix for this old gal.

Thanks......Steve