SG junior upgrades?

[Mr Grumpy]

Now, the guitar is perfect, and no changes are needed. But, I have noticed some areas which I'd like your input on.

Tuners. I love the white buttons and the traditional kluson deluxe tuners, but I have noticed that even though the guitar stays in tune well that: 1) the buttons are fiddly, not easy to get a hold of; 2) their isn't smooth and exact quick tuning, it takes a bit of playing around; 3) when changing strings, it's slow, and you need to spend a fair while stretching the strings. The locking tuners on my Cort Fugly and SG Future Tribute locking tuners are just quicker when changing strings, more precise and justn better - not a big deal, but I wonder if their are some nice traditional looking Gotoh locking tuners that I can put the white buttons on. Is it worth it?

Bridge. The bridge is nice, works fine, but obviously their are some differences in intonation throughout the fretboard. I don't like the big multi-options Graphtec style bridges, but I have seen a mojoaxe compensated bridge that looks like the original, but offers better intonation.

Dry Fretboard. There are areaswhere the F1 oil just doesn't seep in well and leaves white dry areas. Should In try lemon oil or something similar?

Basically, the guitar is great, but it's not an expensive 61' original, and I wont it to be my main player, so should I make the effort to change these bits and pieces?

 

[Dave Sloven]

I don't think anyone makes locking tuners with the white buttons. They make some with very similar nickel buttons, not white

Are you noticing problems with intonation? It depends in part on the angle of the wraptail. If you get a compensated one you'd better make sure it is designed to mount at the same angle as your bridge.

You could try lemon oil.

I still think it needs the pointer washers! When my Junior arrived years ago (second-hand) someone had already fitted them and I thought they looked so cool I went out and bought some for my other SGs. You can see them in this photo taken when I first got it (it also shows the original bridge it came with).

 

[gball]

Why not? All cheap changes. Oiling the fretboard is just routine maintenace IMO.

 

[Inspector #20]

I only use the Gibson Green Keys on all my guitars. Never have any tuning issues. I wind only 2 winds on each string. The g/b/e are always installed with a half hitch.

If you are replacing Gibson Deluxe Green Keys with locking tuners, be sure to find a set that will not require drilling.

These came on my 2016 Gibson Les Paul 50's Tribute, but I am reinstalling the original Green Keys.

 

[Mr Grumpy]

Yeah, the pointers do look cool.

I'm staying about the 12th fret, so intonation isn't an issue for now, but as I get more adventurous down the dusky end you know the intonation will be out.

Yeah, I think I will try lemon oil next time I change the strings. I actually got given this for free by a shop when I bought an acoustic a while back, never even opened it, but I will try it.



I put these strings on which I like. The neck is pretty good on them, but I'll just leave the guitar to settle overnight then see if I need to alter the bridge or tweak the trussrod an 8th of a turn. I thought the guitar came with 9-46s (that's what it said on the website), but my feeling is that maybe the ones I put on are a tad heavier and just affecting the 1st to 3rd frets a little bit - but I'll leave it to settle overnight then see where we are.



I do love your pink junior, it's a very cool guitar.

 

[Mr Grumpy]

Why not? All cheap changes. Oiling the fretboard is just routine maintenace IMO.

Yeah, I've done it twice already with the F1 oil, but not having perfect results, so gonna try the lemon oil next string change.

 

[Mr Grumpy]

If you are replacing Gibson Deluxe Green Keys with locking tuners, be sure to find a set that will not require drilling.

Yeah, I think these two will fit, both nice:

(I prefer the look of the white button Kluson Deluxe, but they aren't the best for tuning accuracy (although the seem to hold tune well - I'd like to quickly go between openE and dropD, but it takes a while with the current tuners):

Gotoh Locking Tuners Nickel

Tonepros have also bought these out, not locking, but supposed to be very accurate.

Locking tuners are just really nice for changing strings. Tonight was the first time in a while that I've changed strings without locking tuners, and it was a bit of a pain, took longer than I'd like, and yes I did cut my fingers...

 

[syscokid]

Tuners...

Clueless on proper locking tuners that work smoother with a higher turning ratio. When stringing up, do you use the "Poor Man's" string locking technique? Give the nut a good inspection?

Bridge...

If this is the Mojoaxe bridge you're referring to, I say yes. Those are very nice, and still looks very stock and clean...

Dry Fretboard...

The F-One oil is the best stuff I have experienced. You showed a pic of Dunlop Lemon Oil, which is a good product. More than likely, there really is no lemon oil in that product... it's all marketing BS. Real and pure lemon oil is too acidic, and should not be used as a conditioner for any fretboards. The white areas that you describe, is puzzling to me. Maybe thoroughly wipe and scrub the board with naphtha, then re-oil?

 

[Inspector #20]

Clueless on proper looking tuners that work smoother with a higher turning ratio. When stringing up, do you use the "Poor Man's" string locking technique? Give the nut a good inspection?


If this is the Mojoaxe bridge you're referring to, I say yes. Those are very nice, and still looks very stock and clean...

View attachment 14802


The F-One oil is the best stuff I have experienced. You showed a pic of Dunlop Lemon Oil, which is a good product. More than likely, there really is no lemon oil in that product... it's all marketing BS. Real and pure lemon oil is too acidic, and should not be used as a conditioner for any fretboards. The white areas that you describe, is puzzling to me. Maybe thoroughly wipe and scrub the board with naphtha, then re-oil?

Years ago, everyone used Scott's Liquid Gold on fretboards.

Now I use an Old English Lemon Oil product with goid results...

 

[syscokid]

Now I use an Old English Lemon Oil product with goid results...

Probably mineral oil with limonene and other fragrances added.

 

[Thatbastarddon]

How about some Hipshot locking tuners? They have a few different replacement buttons that look a bit like the original buttons...maybe a bit fancier.

Guitar Tuner Buttons

The butter bean, in pearl?

 

[Session 5]

I've had no reason to get locking tuners. My guitars come with well made tuners.

 

[jtcnj]

I used locking Wilkinson $30. tuners on the first couple of cheap (under $100.) guitars.
The better tuners were worth it for a smoother and more precise gear mechanism.
Now after a few years of experience I dont have a need for the locking type.

Actually the Wilkinson ones have 2 holes in the post, not a screw down or other clamping function.
The locking function is achieved by reducing the chance the string can slip with the string fed through the 2 holes.
I have found properly wound strings on non locking tuners rock solid.

The locking type can be easier to work with at string changes, so if that is preferred by all means use what you like.
Love that Jr. Mr. Grumpy!

A little oil on the fretboard goes a long way.
I have read too much can cause problems but dont recall any scenario where someone had frets come loose or the fretboard come away from the neck.

I use plain old baby oil (mineral oil) maybe twice a year after the initial clean up as most of my gear was bought used.

 

[BlackSG91]

I've had no reason to get locking tuners. My guitars come with well made tuners.

You can say that again...the tuners on my Godin guitar are vintage looking like in post #7 but of course without the locking feature. They work surprisingly well and smooth turning.


;>)/

 

[ivan H]

Kluson Revolution Locking tuners have the white buttons (& green I think), are 19:1 ratio, look like klusons should & are very light. They are a direct replacement. Shop around & you can find at a good price. Cheers

 

[ChasFred]

Kluson Revolution Locking tuners have the white buttons (& green I think), are 19:1 ratio, look like klusons should & are very light. They are a direct replacement. Shop around & you can find at a good price. Cheers

Those are the same that I put on mt SG '17T. They work great IMHO.

 

[ivan H]

The Kluson part No.s for the Revolution tuners required are; (nickel) KEDPL-3801N
(chrome) KEDPL-3801C
For the gold type a "G" suffix is used in place of the N or C. Thes have the (removeable) plastic buttons. I'm assuming your tuners have the screw in type collar (front of headstock). Hope this helps

 

[Dave Sloven]

Kluson Revolutions don't have the Junior style buttons

They are closer to the regular Klusons but they have a screw through the button which is visible. They don't require drilling

The Gotoh with the small button above is their vintage spec ones. Which means that if you have the screw type modern bushing you will need to buy these special adapter sleeves to fit the vintage press-fit type.

 

[Catmandue]

Now, the guitar is perfect, and no changes are needed. But, I have noticed some areas which I'd like your input on.

Tuners. I live the white buttons and the traditional kluson deluxe tuners, but I have noticed that even though the guitar stays in tune well that: 1) the buttons are fiddly, not easy to get a hold of; 2) their isn't smooth and exact quick tuning, it takes a bit of playing around; 3) when changing strings, it's slow, and you need to spend a fair while stretching the strings. The locking tuners on my Cort Fugly and SG Future Tribute locking tuners are just quicker when changing strings, more precise and justn better - not a big deal, but I wonder if their are some nice traditional looking Gotoh locking tuners that I can put the white buttons on. Is it worth it?

Bridge. The bridge is nice, works fine, but obviously their are some differences in intonation throughout the fretboard. I don't like the big multi-options Graphtec style bridges, but I have seen a mojoaxe compensated bridge that looks like the original, but offers better intonation.

Dry Fretboard. There are areaswhere the F1 oil just doesn't seep in well and leaves white dry areas. Should In try lemon oil or something similar?

Basically, the guitar is great, but it's not an expensive 61' original, and I wont it to be my main player, so should I make the effort to change these bits and pieces?

Sure why not bro? I myself would have to see the fret board before deciding on the lemon oil bit. Some folks have problems with dry fret boards, so I can understand if you are having issues with this. I would put that better bridge on as well as the replacing of the older worn Klusons, which appear to be causing some heart ache.

 

[ivan H]

Kluson Revolutions don't have the Junior style buttons

They are closer to the regular Klusons but they have a screw through the button which is visible. They don't require drilling

The Gotoh with the small button above is their vintage spec ones. Which means that if you have the screw type modern bushing you will need to buy these special adapter sleeves to fit the vintage press-fit type.

Thanks for clarifying that Dave, could'a steered Mr Grumpy wrong which wouldn't have been good. Cheers