Classic Series Vintage Tuners Upgrade

[AZMike]

Has anyone replaced the Ping vintage Kluson-style tuners on their MIM Classic series with the Gotoh vintage Kluson-style like Stew-Mac sells? I'm pretty much a not-broke-don't-fix-it guy, but I am thinking I may need to upgrade down the road. The D-string tuner already feels loose, and it actually got a little stuck in my string-winder the last time I was changing strings and pulled out about half an inch. I pushed it back, heard a click, and it has been okay, but the Pings don't inspire confidence.

It seems I have read that converting to the Gotohs requires enlarging the peghead holes slightly, and that a manual reamer is the required tool. I'm fairly handy and do most of my own set-up work, but I have never used that particular tool and I am a little nervous at chipping away on my guitar. I would, of course, practice on some scrap wood to get a feel for the tool.

Bottom line, do the peghead holes have to be enlarged and is this a big deal? Any comments would be appreciated.

Mike

[highway jammin]

I did make the conversion, and used a rubber mallet, and that got the job done just fine. I assume pro tools, get pro results, but this isn't requires.

[AZMike]

Thanks, highway jammin!

Turned out it was a loose button, but the shaft was in solid. I kept looking at the tuners and noticed that someone had put some superglue on the next tuner, the A tuner, where the button sits on the shaft. So I did the same. Pulled the thing out a little, put a glob of Stew-Mac brush-on superglue on it, and shoved it back in. Works perfectly now and is basically an invisible fix, but I still have the feeling I will upgrade down the road.

Thanks again,
Mike

[BluesOwl]

I bought some wilkinson replacements from guitar fetish.
Split shaft, "Wilkinson" "Deluxe" on the back in two lines (like old Kluson Deluxe)
delrin bushing.
shaft is minutely smaller dia than Ping, Gotoh.
Need a reamer to enlarge the bushing holes.
Afraid to hammer them in at current dia. because I don't want to split the headstock.
I've heard reamers are easy to use, with good results (i.e., superior to other methods)