firebirdplayersforum.freeforums.org

[quote="DougK"]"Personally if you can swap the banjo's off for Steinbergers I'd highly recommend them. I dont even bother with using banjo's on my scratch build, straight to the Steingbergers."

Are the Steinberger gearlles tuners a direct replacement for the stock Gibson Tuners? No drilling ,or messing around with any new or modded screw/shaft holes?

I see Stew Mac sells the Steinbergers. Do you know of anyone else selling them?

Last but not least, Is this particular mod worth the $$$ and the time to install entails?

Please enlighten me, oh wise masters of mystical bird like instruments!

He means you, Doug!

Tony

As far as installing in a Gibson Firebird I'm not sure what size hole the banjo tuners are already drilled for. I drill my firebirds I build specifically for the steinbergers.

AFAIK I've ONLY been able to find them through StewMac (or ebay occasionally).

its worth the hassle, I LOVE them. They are super accurate, lighter than the banjos and work really well. There are a couple tricks to installing them that I'll go into detail more when I get a chance (supposed to be working right now LOL).

I can pull one of the stock Banjo tuners the next time I change strings and mic it to get diameters on the tuner shaft and shaft hole. I'll email them to you and maybe you could tell me what the diameter the Steinberger take.
Thanks,
Pappy

That'll work!

The steinbergers require a 3/8 (10mm) straight hole. Nothing fancy.

Well.... After reading a few reviews and doing a little research, it seems these Steinberger tuners should drop into a Gibson FB with out modification to the tuner shaft hole. I'll just need to drill a small hole for the alignment pin on the tuner.
I purchased a set for $72.00 shipped on E-bay. In reading the installation instructions where they talk about stringing the guitar, I see this statement:
"Plain (G, B, & E) strings MUST have steel or silk wrapping at the ball ends, or be soldered, or they WILL DETUNE, during severe string bends."
Any of you experienced pro's have some good advice for ole Pappy what all this entails and what strings I should use when I install the new tuners??
Much Obliged!!!

I've never had an issue. I do use a 12mm wrench to give them an extra bit of clamping force to keep them from slipping.

I think what that refers to mostly are the odd ball Steinberger guitars.

I got my set of Steinberger gearless tuners and am ready to install them in my Firebird V.
The stock banjo tuners come out easy as pie by removing the 2 screws that hold them in from the back of the neck, but the bushing that enters the tuner hole on the front side of the neck remains.
I only messed around a little bit with one of the bushings, until I could ask the esteemed Firebird Forum members for a little guidence and to see if any one had any experience w/ this operation.
Does anyone know if these bushings are pressed in, or glued in?
Any idea on how to safely remove them without damaging the neck, or the finish on the front of the neck?
Your advice and guidence would be greatly appreciated

They should be pressed in. Maybe leave the guitar out in the sun for an hour then use a dowel from behind. Im thinking that a little heat might soften up the lacquer a bit and keep them from chipping as they go out. Honestly, you shouldn't have to much hassle and the steinbergers have a pretty good bezel on the front.

SM told me 2 days ago that my 2 sets were 20 days out, then yesterday they shipped LOL.

Yeah. They are pressed in. I borrowed a 3/8" brass punch and working very carefully, I was able to remove one bushing.
My next door neighbor rigged me up something that looks like the bushing remover tool on the S.M. web site, so I may give that a try to remove the rest. I'll be doing that and installing the gearless tuners this weekend.
As fate would have it, I'm trying out for a new band tomorrow, so I'll have to bring something other than the F.B.V! Not enough time to install the new tuners by tomorrow after noon. Bummer!