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I'm laying out the tuners (Tacoma minis) on my current project, and I'm at a loss as to how far apart the tuners can be before they're too close. I drew up a pattern using one inch on center separation, looks generous in three dimensions, and I'm curious if I can close the spacing to 7/8" apart. This would save me a half inch of paddle length. Tuners would not be touching but small fingers would be advantaged.

So - - -anybody remember his 12-string guitar's tuner spacing? Wish I'd had the presence of mind to measure my Seagull 12-string before I sold it.

Thanks!

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Peter Havriluk

They are close to the same as mandolin tuners, approximately 15/16ths - 29/32nds inch. You might want to have the tuners on hand before you design the peghead. Individual "mini" tuners may give more options than "6 on a plate" type

https://www.stewmac.com/parts-and-hardw ... uitar.html

I should read you post more closely

I have the peghead cut to rough shape on the neck, and the tuners are in hand. What looked compact on paper looks too widely spaced in three dimensions. So I posed my what's-everybody-else-do question.

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Peter Havriluk

My 12s use the Martin spacing, which I don’t have on top of my head. Will follow up tomorrow when I’m back in the shop.


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Peter,
I've got two, '89 Epiphone and '74 Takamine, both Japanese. Their spacing is 15/16" or the closest metric to that.

Thanks, folks. The more I handled the hardware and measured and held parts and speculatively positioned the, the closer I got to 15/16". Waiting on Tim's offer to go and measure his Martin.

Very much obliged!

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Peter Havriluk

My first 12 was built in 2009 to replace a Martin D12-28 that I never liked (and later sold). The headstock template was based on the Martin paddle, with different top treatment and narrower nut. The tuners are spaced along the edge at 25.0 mm centres. All tuners are 10 mm from the edge, with the exception of 1 and 12 (i.e., the two closest to the nut) that are 9 mm in (for string clearance to nut). The tuners are Gotoh M6-style minis (same dimensions as those used by Martin).

I am using the Rickert 10:1 banjo tuners, all in a row. I tried a lot of spacings to get them as close together as possible - these probably have bigger buttons than yours. I ended up with 1-1/32". The spacing between the buttons is the least I thought I could get away with

Ed

Thanks, Tim, for the numbers. I can put them to good use. I'd taken the coward's way out on my headstock: Snakehead inspired by Seagull. I was afraid of strings fouling against posts. Bit your picture (mercy, that's gorgeous) and diagram help immensely.

Much obliged.

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Peter Havriluk

Ed, another valuable picture! I own the tuners; I'm grateful for your adding to my knowledge base on tuner spacing (looks like fullsize tuner buttons).

Thanks very much.

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Peter Havriluk

I don't remember the numbers but for paddle head I used the Martin spacing with mini-Grovers, but in hind site I hate the big washers and would consider something else (I like the tuners however). For the slot head I used StewMac's golden age tuners and they give the spacing on their website



For both guitars I made a drilling jig - particularly with six-on-a-plate tuners the spacing has to be absolutely spot on



I just finished a double neck electric guitar and again, used mini tuners on the 12 string head and matching standard sized ones on the six. Trying to keep the weight and length of the head as low as possible.

I just finished a 6-string using mini Grovers. They don't feel any different from the Chinese cheapies (fullsize) I used on prior projects. Am I missing something?

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Peter Havriluk

I think the Chinese tuners have gotten better (and I believe they are making some brand name tuners now) but some I have used in the past have been obviously not as well made as "name brand" tuners and I don't think will hold up as well. Others I've paid a bit more for and seem to be decent quality and reasonably well made.
Some of the things I've noticed with the Chinese cheapies are thinner plates and (possibly) softer gears.

I don't think the ones on the double neck were Chinese - they were pretty darn expensive, particularly when you buy three sets. They are smooth and nice to use, just a little tight getting my fingers in between the necks,