Comments

Schaller open and Gotoh Closed

Can anyone shed some light on the different qualities and negatives on these machine heads? Would the enclosed machine head be less open to damage?? Any and all info appreciated. Thanks

# Posted on July 12th 2008 by concertinaplayer

Re: Schaller open and Gotoh Closed

Closed machine are self lubricating and maintainance free, they [ generally ] work much better than open machine heads.

Dave H

# Posted on July 13th 2008 by Dave Hanson

Re: Schaller open and Gotoh Closed

Ditto that, but I still love the open... The closed also tend to be 'finer' as regards tuning...

# Posted on July 13th 2008 by ceolachan

What, no Waverly's?

# Posted on July 13th 2008 by ceolachan

Re: Schaller open and Gotoh Closed

I think I'm confusing myself. By 'open' I really mean that I favour the vintage look, or slotted headstocks, that kind of tuner, and those can come either closed or open nowadays...

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tuners/Guitar,_solid_peghead_tuners.html

http://www.bryankimsey.com/tuners/

As far ascomparisons as to how 'fine', the gears, check the ratios...

I know it doesn't necessarily make sense, speaking from the heart, I've just always loved slotted headstocks...

# Posted on July 13th 2008 by ceolachan

Re: Schaller open and Gotoh Closed

Have you seen the Steinberger?
40:1 !
Now, that _IS_ fine tuning!

# Posted on July 13th 2008 by Ramiro

Re: Schaller open and Gotoh Closed

Electric Lady Land eh?

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tuners/Guitar,_solid_peghead_tuners/Steinberger_Gearless_Tuners.html

# Posted on July 13th 2008 by ceolachan

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steinberger

# Posted on July 13th 2008 by ceolachan

Re: Schaller open and Gotoh Closed

Yes, I have a dark side 8-)

# Posted on July 13th 2008 by Ramiro

Ramiro ~

"Hey hey I wanna be a rockstar
Hey hey I wanna be a rockstar

I want a brand new house
on an episode of Cribs
And a bathroom I can play baseball in
And a king size tub big enough
for ten plus me ~ "

# Posted on July 13th 2008 by ceolachan

Re: Schaller open and Gotoh Closed

http://www.clipartof.com/images/emoticons/xsmall2/1963_headbanger_playing_an_electric_guitar.gif

# Posted on July 13th 2008 by Ramiro

Re: Schaller open and Gotoh Closed

Why is a concertina player asking these questions ?
But, no problem, aren't we all here to help each other ?
If you want a real vintage look, then it has to be open machines, but if you are after efficiency, better the closed ones, as explained above. My old Martin has the original open machines,and I wouldn't change them for anything, just because they're the originals.
Slotted or flat headstocks are the prerogative of the luthier, and there's not much option once the instrument is built. Changing machines is a relatively minor matter.

# Posted on July 14th 2008 by Guernsey Pete

Re: Schaller open and Gotoh Closed

Don't go spreading the dirt on this Pete, a concertina player asking about tuners, they want this to remain just between a few, that they're a closet picker... I've been told to keep it under my beret... ;-)

# Posted on July 14th 2008 by ceolachan

Re: Schaller open and Gotoh Closed

I want to put them on my concertina ! I think the C# might be a bit flat

# Posted on July 14th 2008 by concertinaplayer