posted 04-04-2004 05:23 PM               

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I received three sets of the AllParts/ABM 16:1 banjo tuners, and I have to say, they're really nicely made, and indeed, the ratio is 16:1. I'll report in when I get them on a guitar which should be in about 8 days.

I'd love to take one apart, but at the rarity and cost, I hesitate to waste one at this point. I'll definitely make myself a guitar with these, though. They certainly free the mind on peghead design...

posted 04-11-2004 06:03 AM               

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Rick
Anyway you can post a picture of those tuners?

John

posted 04-12-2004 03:52 PM               

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Guyz;
IF you do a search of the Allparts site under Tuners they will appear on the 3rd of 3 pages at the top. Pretty nice looking tuners, Rick! Spendy, but cool! They will give one more options.

I'm lousy with pictures, but I'll try this:

TK 7801-002
$140.00

High Ratio Banjo Tuners for Banjo or Guitar Gold 16:1 Set of 4, 3/8" Pegholes required

Just as I thought...no pic...but the info did come thru.
KAT

posted 04-12-2004 06:48 PM               

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Ooooh! Want want! <bg>

Anyone want to split 3 sets? We'd each get one full guitar set....

Mario

posted 04-12-2004 09:57 PM               

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I'll bet they're heavy! Looks like they took the regular 4:1 planetary system and stacked another right on top, just like the double planetary system in those power screwdrivers:
http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Luthier/Tools/SuperDriver/superdriver.html

About 30 years ago a machinist pal of ours made a set of unique banjo pegs that were 9:1 and housed in the same size case as the Stewart MacDonald Five Star Planets. Smooth as silk, they used a preloaded ball bearing drive system. Too bad they never made it into production. . .

FF

posted 04-13-2004 06:54 AM               

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I figured they'd doubled the 4:1 reduction to achieve 16:1, and I assumed they'd be heavy, too, but I hadn't thought of the fact that this may not fit in a standard guitar case once completed! What say, Rick, does it? How far back behind the headstock do they extend?

Mario

posted 04-13-2004 09:54 AM               

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A set of six weighs 259 grams as opposed to 271 grams for a regular set of M-6A Schallers. The banjo tuners extend 1 15/16" to the tip of the button screw from the surface of the back of the peghead.

They are not "handed" as the gears work either clockwise or counterclockwise. It's the friction at the button at 16:1 which holds the string tension, just like regular 4:1 planetary gears. I do suspect these are a double 4:1 gear system in there. They're very cool.

posted 04-13-2004 10:31 AM               

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That's nearly double what a set of Waverly machines weigh. Ow!

But, my OM/D would still fit in their cases, except the Caltons.

Neat option; too bad about the weight....

All times are PT (US)