[blaminack]

Greets!

I a quite clumsy. I dropped my guitar and broke one of the tuning keys. So I bought some Grovers to replace the cheapy ones on my Epiphone. The trouble is that the little screws go in a different place on the new ones. Has anyone made this kind of modification on their own guitar? I am sure that I can do it no problem but how did you do it? I am going to get a tiny drill bit and pre drill the hole and fill the old holes with epoxy and paint over it with red car touch up paint...

any suggestions?

Yepp, this is the way to go. But, you dont need to drill holes, otherwise the screws will be too loose and they will probably fall out with the mechanical stress they are under.

The screws mostly cut their way thru the wood themselves. You just need a thick needle to just make a LITTLE hole at the correct position. Then hold the screw straight and turn it into the wood with just a bit of pressure. So the wood closes in the screws and they are fixed like in a concrete block.

[blaminack]

Yeah I tried that last night and I almost stripped the screw, so today I bought the tiniest drill bit that I could find. Seems like these little screw mainly just keep the machine lined up straight, and are not really so structural.

[RavenT]

irst off what you need to do is plug the old holes from the other tuners try to match the paint with a marker if it is black or get a lacquer stick that matches the head. You will need to retouch the lacquer with Cyanoacrylate glue if you don’t use lacquer sticks. Only put a few drop over the plug and let dry. When dry use a razor blade or a utility knife blade, put masking tape at each end of the blade and only scratch the glue you put to even it out with the guitar. Whit wet dry sand paper 3200 or higher if you can find it. Then buff with a buffer until all nice and shiny. Get your self ha hand drill at a jeweller supply shop. They have some that are small then for the wood industry. And if by mistake you do make the hole a little big, fill it up with backing soda with a tine tool then add a drop of Cyanoacrylate glue (Supper Glue). Stand back since it will produce a little vapour, don’t bread it in not good for you. So have fun and don’t think that to fix something on your guitar to by too difficult. Just make plans of the things you take off. Very important with the saddle on the bridges you want to keep the groves of the string in the right order. So have funny and don’t worrier that you will heart your guitars. The more closer you get to your guitar the better you well arrange it for that sound and feel that you are looking for. Some guy’s ideal guitar set-up may not be for you. I do hope that you clean your girl after each use if you want her in good shape for years to come she’ll love you for it and in return she well sing with you bringing out you best.

Originally Posted by blaminack

Greets!

I a quite clumsy. I dropped my guitar and broke one of the tuning keys. So I bought some Grovers to replace the cheapy ones on my Epiphone. The trouble is that the little screws go in a different place on the new ones. Has anyone made this kind of modification on their own guitar? I am sure that I can do it no problem but how did you do it? I am going to get a tiny drill bit and pre drill the hole and fill the old holes with epoxy and paint over it with red car touch up paint...

any suggestions?

Originally Posted by RavenT

Cyanoacrylate glue

Wow, cool, I love Cyanides!

[blaminack]

Thanks Raven T. I have not filled the holes yet so this is some great advice. My idea is to drive a toothpick in the hole. Cut it flush, and then push it in a TINY bit further to create a shallow dimple, and then use red auto touch up paint just cover the toothpick/holes. Then sand smooth as you said. Then again I may not do any thing as this is just a cheapy guitar, other than seal the holes to keep moisture out.

[RavenT]

Hi thanks for listening. If you are serious about guitar set up then invest in this book It is from Dan Erlewine I think that this guy like to shear his knowledge. This man really knows what he is doing. And has a book called Guitar Player repair Guide get the third edition. Look Amsal Adams once side it is not the camera the makes the photographer, but the photographer him self. You can use a cheap toy camera and produce the best picture or have the most expensive camera and take the worst pictures. When you picked your guitar it was for the comfort it gave you when you pick it up. It felt right to you since you pick that one guitar from all others. It is not by having a name brand that you are going to play better. What will make you play better is the feel that you get from your guitar. Any instrument should be treated with respected like the special lady that she is.
Now it is a good idea with the red paint but you should stile use the glue to seal it in and it well match the finish reason for this is that this will be a good point of entry for moister. The more you touch your guitar you leave a film of oils and dirt from your fingers, always a good idea to wash your hands before playing and then giving the old girl a good wipe down. Have fun and happy playing