Community: Locking Tuners on JTV-59 Korean?

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7132 Views 40 Replies Latest reply: Jan 28, 2012 11:21 PM by jealousblues

GeeTah

110 posts since
Oct 17, 2008

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Jul 15, 2011 11:59 AM

Locking Tuners on JTV-59 Korean?

Anyone out there considered going to locking machine heads on their Korean JTV-59?

Jamed Tyler uses Hipshot brand locking tuners on his US Made JTV-59, but according to the guys at Hipshot in New York (just got of the phone with them) their locking tuners used on the US model will not retrofit onto the Korean model.

So, just curious if anyone has tried another brand or model - or has researched it...

Thanks to anyone who can share any experiences on this subject,

Bradley GT

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ozbadman
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Jul 15, 2011 1:53 PM (in response to GeeTah)
Re: Locking Tuners on JTV-59 Korean?

Yessir,

I replaced mine with these:

http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/images/large/TK-0976-002.jpg from here
http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/tuners_schallerlocking.htm

Basically, if you don't want to drill new holes, the important thing for looking at replacement tuners are:
1) the position of the support screws relative to the shaft. NB: it's VERY important to note that these are offset 45degrees, rather than in line with the peg.
2) the distance of the support screws from the center of the shaft

These tuners fit straight in, and use the existing screws. Plus, the tuning keys are the same size and shape as the ones that come with the 59, so it maintains the look. I originally got smaller keys and they looked too small. Very happy with the result.

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- TheRealZap
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  Jul 15, 2011 1:19 PM (in response to ozbadman)
  Re: Locking Tuners on JTV-59 Korean?
  
  awesome info... pretty pricey though.
  
  what do you think was it worth doing?
  
  looks like the planet wave auto trims would be a straignt drop in too:
  http://www.warmoth.com/Planet-Waves-Auto-Trim-Tuners-Set-of-3L3R-Black-P971C729.aspx
  have those on my 600 their great.
  
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  - ozbadman
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    Jul 15, 2011 1:56 PM (in response to TheRealZap)
    Re: Locking Tuners on JTV-59 Korean?
    
    TheRealZap wrote:
    
    awesome info... pretty pricey though.
    
    what do you think was it worth doing?
    
    looks like the planet wave auto trims would be a straignt drop in too:
    http://www.warmoth.com/Planet-Waves-Auto-Trim-Tuners-Set-of-3L3R-Black-P971C729.asp
    have those on my 600 their great.
    I don't think the locking tuners are important for stability on the 59 since it has no tremolo. It didn't seem to affect the sustain for example. I mostly did it because I wanted Gold tuners.
    
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    - TheRealZap
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      Jul 15, 2011 3:07 PM (in response to ozbadman)
      Re: Locking Tuners on JTV-59 Korean?
      
      i have the black 59 on order.... already planning to do cream pickup rings etc... and the gold tiners would be nice, but with the chrome bridge i think i might go with chrome, just to keep it simple.
      thanks for the insight either way.
      
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      - ozbadman
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        Jul 15, 2011 4:59 PM (in response to TheRealZap)
        Re: Locking Tuners on JTV-59 Korean?
        
        Yeah, I was worried about the Chrome bridge against gold pickups, but it actually looks really good. So I've got black (I wanted to get TSB, but decided the Gold would look better against black), and have gold pickups, tuners, switch ring and straplocks, with a black faux leather strap.
        
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        TheRealZap
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        Jul 15, 2011 6:53 PM (in response to ozbadman)
        Re: Locking Tuners on JTV-59 Korean?
        
        sounds like you are going a similar direction to what i had in mind, have any pictures?
        
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        ozbadman
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        Jul 15, 2011 8:36 PM (in response to TheRealZap)
        Re: Locking Tuners on JTV-59 Korean?
        
        BTW, I'm loving the sound of my Gibson 498T/490R mags as well.
        
        Attachments:
        
        JTV59_BlackGold_1.jpg (496.9 K)
        
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        TheRealZap
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        Jul 15, 2011 9:03 PM (in response to ozbadman)
        Re: Locking Tuners on JTV-59 Korean?
        
        beautiful, love it... wish the bridge was gold though
        
        i'm a fan of 59PAFs so i may change the pickups out as well... but want to give the factory ones a shot first.
        the pickup covers look better than i thought those would... i'm leaning towards uncovered zebras if i do replace them.
        
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        ozbadman
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        Jul 15, 2011 9:30 PM (in response to TheRealZap)
        Re: Locking Tuners on JTV-59 Korean?
        
        I'll be interested to hear what you think of the build quality of yours when you get it.
        
        I did try out the Tyler pickups that came with it and they weren't for me. Definitely preferred these babies.
        
        Post some pics when you get it, and after mods. BTW, I bought TripleShot rings for it, but the screw holes don't quite line up. Not sure what I'm going to do about that yet. Hmmm.
        
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        TheRealZap
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        Jul 15, 2011 9:43 PM (in response to ozbadman)
        Re: Locking Tuners on JTV-59 Korean?
        
        i've touched a few including some USA models, so i know what to expect...
        makes me want it even more though! love the extra USA colors though...
        i also kind of wanted the TSB, but went with the black because i have another sunburst variax.
        i wonder what rings will line up... i'm simple and like drop in solutions
        i'm sure i'll be taking some pictures!
        
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        BrookieBob
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        Jul 21, 2011 9:57 PM (in response to ozbadman)
        Re: Locking Tuners on JTV-59 Korean?
        
        Do the Gibson 498T/490R mags come in chrome as well as gold?
        
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        ozbadman
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        Jul 21, 2011 11:12 PM (in response to BrookieBob)
        Re: Locking Tuners on JTV-59 Korean?
        
        BrookieBob wrote:
        
        Do the Gibson 498T/490R mags come in chrome as well as gold?
        
        Chrome, Nickel, Gold, Zebra, Double Black.
        
        http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/IM98TCH?utm_source=CSE&utm_medium=PPC&utm_campaign=none&utm_term=IM98TCH-498T_Hot_Alnico_Bridge_-_Chrome&SID=-1&zmam=89202644&zmas=1&zmac=1&zmap=IM98TCH
        
        http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/IM90RCH
        
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- GeeTah
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  Jul 21, 2011 3:46 PM (in response to ozbadman)
  Re: Locking Tuners on JTV-59 Korean?
  
  OZbadman, thanks for the suggestion.
  
  Don't know what happened, didn't see the responses until today - the threads I was subscribed to stopped coming to my inbox - now they are coming again, but look different... forum upgrade I guess...
  
  The Schallers will be perfect looking on my Cherrybust JTV-59K. But, I don't need Gold. I am assuming that the TK-0976-010 (Chrome at $85/set) are the same as the TK-0976-0002 (Gold plated at $125/set) - just without the gold finish? Right?
  
  GT
  
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  - ozbadman
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    Jul 21, 2011 7:18 PM (in response to GeeTah)
    Re: Locking Tuners on JTV-59 Korean?
    
    Looks like it to me.
    
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    - GeeTah
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      Jul 27, 2011 8:27 PM (in response to ozbadman)
      Re: Locking Tuners on JTV-59 Korean?
      
      Oz,
      
      Agreed. Looks like that to me too. Think I'll get a set of the chrome ones headed this way. Guess we'll see if they work the same as the gold ones did.
      
      Will report back if they don't work.
      
      Bradley GT
      
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      - digiprod
        616 posts since
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        Jul 28, 2011 6:10 AM (in response to GeeTah)
        Re: Locking Tuners on JTV-59 Korean?
        
        GeeTah wrote:
        
        Oz,
        
        Agreed. Looks like that to me too. Think I'll get a set of the chrome ones headed this way. Guess we'll see if they work the same as the gold ones did.
        
        Will report back if they don't work.
        
        Bradley GT
        Please lets know how these work out. I want to get the chrome ones for my 59 when I get it back from Line 6 repair for a volume control problem.
        
        Has anyone swapped out pickups? Any details will be appreciated?
        
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        ozbadman
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        Jul 28, 2011 9:27 AM (in response to digiprod)
        Re: Locking Tuners on JTV-59 Korean?
        
        I swapped out the pickups for Gibson 498R/490T and they work great. Easy to route the wires. Easy to solder the pickups onto the board. Easy to mount to the pickup rings.
        
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        digiprod
        616 posts since
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        Jul 28, 2011 9:35 AM (in response to ozbadman)
        Re: Locking Tuners on JTV-59 Korean?
        
        ozbadman wrote:
        
        I swapped out the pickups for Gibson 498R/490T and they work great. Easy to route the wires. Easy to solder the pickups onto the board. Easy to mount to the pickup rings.
        That is one of the pickup combos I was thinking about. How would you compare them to the stock Line 6 pickups? You mounted the Gibson pick versions without covers I suspect?
        
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        TheRealZap
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        Jul 28, 2011 9:37 AM (in response to ozbadman)
        Re: Locking Tuners on JTV-59 Korean?
        
        i was looking at that exact pickup combo as an option after i give an audition to the factory ones...
        what kind of improvements are you hearing?
        also what pickup rings ultimately worked? if you found drop in replacements... don't really want to do more screws etc. did you get cream rings, like i was wanting? just curious if you have an updated picture if that's the case...
        still hopeful that mine will show up someday
        
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        ozbadman
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        Jul 28, 2011 10:05 AM (in response to TheRealZap)
        Re: Locking Tuners on JTV-59 Korean?
        
        Much prefer these Gibsons over the factory ones. I'm a rock/blues player and these are perfect for me. Much smoother tone.
        I used the pickup rings that came with the 59. They're a little thin, but they do the job and the screw holes for the pickup line up fine. The Neck pickup leans backwards a little, but it's not really an issue.
        
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        digiprod
        616 posts since
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        Jul 28, 2011 10:22 AM (in response to ozbadman)
        Re: Locking Tuners on JTV-59 Korean?
        
        ozbadman wrote:
        
        Much prefer these Gibsons over the factory ones. I'm a rock/blues player and these are perfect for me. Much smoother tone.
        I used the pickup rings that came with the 59. They're a little thin, but they do the job and the screw holes for the pickup line up fine. The Neck pickup leans backwards a little, but it's not really an issue.
        
        Nice job. I was thinking no covers for a little more bite and a different look. My 59 is CSB so maybe if I use covers I would go with Nickel.
        
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        digiprod
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        Jul 28, 2011 10:52 AM (in response to ozbadman)
        Re: Locking Tuners on JTV-59 Korean?
        
        Here is a pickup ring for you to ponder: http://www.shadow-electronics.com/viewart.html?id=359&lang_id=2?lang_id=2&PHPSESSID=1abb62f491ac491ccdfeb7b66de494ad
        
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        TheRealZap
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        Jul 28, 2011 11:09 AM (in response to digiprod)
        Re: Locking Tuners on JTV-59 Korean?
        
        neat as hell... a bit pricey though.
        
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        digiprod
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        Jul 28, 2011 11:10 AM (in response to TheRealZap)
        Re: Locking Tuners on JTV-59 Korean?
        
        I agree it is expensive and probably not really needed, but it is a cool idea.
        
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        digiprod
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        Jul 28, 2011 3:09 PM (in response to ozbadman)
        Re: Locking Tuners on JTV-59 Korean?
        
        I forgot to ask. How many conductors do the Line 6 stock pickups have? Are they 4 wire? If so aren't the Gibson pickups 2 wire?
        
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        ozbadman
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        Jul 28, 2011 5:46 PM (in response to digiprod)
        Re: Locking Tuners on JTV-59 Korean?
        
        If I remember correctly, the JTV pickups are coil-tapped (4-wire) with the coils joined together. The Gbison 490/498 are 4-wire. Gibson burstbuckers are 2-wire. The JTV board only takes 2-wires since there is no coil-tap functionality on the guitar.
        
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        digiprod
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        Jul 28, 2011 6:35 PM (in response to ozbadman)
        Re: Locking Tuners on JTV-59 Korean?
        
        Thanks for the info. This leads to question. How about adding a switch for coil tapping it. Somewhere I have seen pickup rings that had small switches built in for coil tap pickups.
        
        Any thoughts?
        
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        digiprod
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        Jul 28, 2011 6:38 PM (in response to ozbadman)
        Re: Locking Tuners on JTV-59 Korean?
        
        Check these out
        
        http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=3&ved=0CDwQFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.seymourduncan.com%2Fproducts%2Felectric%2Fhumbucker%2Ftriple-shot%2Ftriple_shot_swi%2F&rct=j&q=pickup%20rings%20with%20switches&ei=sA4yTpS5Ccy1twfW5bSRDQ&usg=AFQjCNGUsVbW782QH4P1_w_gJcxBCuIeGA
        
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        ozbadman
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        Jul 28, 2011 9:17 PM (in response to digiprod)
        Re: Locking Tuners on JTV-59 Korean?
        
        I have these and they do not fit the 59, at least not my one. The ring holes are in a slightly different position so you cannot mount it to the guitar without plugging the holes and re-drilling, which I do not want to do.
        
        So far, beyond drilling new holes for new switches, I have not thought of a way to add a coil-split switch. The volume and tone knowbs on the 59 are also specialist, dual ganag affairs so cannot easily be switched out for ones with push-pull switches either.
        
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        digiprod
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        Jul 29, 2011 11:47 AM (in response to ozbadman)
        Re: Locking Tuners on JTV-59 Korean?
        
        Good information thanks. Is it that the rings are not as wide and the existing screw holes show?
        
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        ozbadman
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        Jul 29, 2011 1:07 PM (in response to digiprod)
        Re: Locking Tuners on JTV-59 Korean?
        
        Nope, they don't show. They're only very slightly off, but enough that you can't use them.
        
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        digiprod
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        Jul 29, 2011 3:07 PM (in response to ozbadman)
        Re: Locking Tuners on JTV-59 Korean?
        
        Personally I would not be against drilling additional small holes if they are not seen and covered by the pickup rings. This would not do any real harm. Let's face it the Korean 59 is not vintage 59 Les Paul.
        
        I have not seen any other viable solutions except drilling for toggle switches, which does not interest me.
        
        Just have to decide if it is worth the time and the expense.
        
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      - GeeTah
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        Aug 4, 2011 3:15 PM (in response to GeeTah)
        Re: Locking Tuners on JTV-59 Korean?
        
        I promised I'd report back if the Chrome locking Schallers TK-096-010 didn't work. Here's the situation, they do work, and go perfectly into the existing holes on the JTV-59K and the set screw hole is in the perfect location - ie no drilling or modification to the 59 is required.
        
        But, the dimensions of the tuners are different. The shaft on the string mounting pole of the tuner is about 20% shorter than the factory tuners - so, after mounting, the string will be very close to the face of the headstock - but it does have enough clearance to work (barely). And, the the shaft on the tuning paddle is also about 20% shorter so the paddles are very close to the side of the headstock making them a bit of a challenge to turn while tuning - although they DO clear the headstock (barely). Neither of these differences cause the Schallers to unuseable on the JTV-59K, they just cause it to be different.
        
        I did go foward with the change even after noting the difference in dimensions. It wasn't a big deal. Just wanted everyone considering this to know the difference. The good thing is that if you don't like the look or feel, you can pop them out and return them - with no damage to the JTV-59K.
        
        Here is the link: http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/tuners_schallerlocking.htm
        
        Best to all -
        Bradley GT.
        
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        TheRealZap
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        Aug 4, 2011 6:32 AM (in response to GeeTah)
        Re: Locking Tuners on JTV-59 Korean?
        
        i'd be curious to see the difference, i was considering this upgrade, but rather like the factory looks.
        any pictures?
        
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        GeeTah
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        Aug 4, 2011 10:01 PM (in response to TheRealZap)
        Re: Locking Tuners on JTV-59 Korean?
        
        Sure. Here's a few images of the JTV-59K with the Schallers installed.
        
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        TheRealZap
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        Aug 5, 2011 3:45 AM (in response to GeeTah)
        Re: Locking Tuners on JTV-59 Korean?
        
        thanks for taking the time... still looks great to me!
        
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        GeeTah
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        Aug 5, 2011 7:52 AM (in response to TheRealZap)
        Re: Locking Tuners on JTV-59 Korean?
        
        Happy to do it. I agree that they do look OK - although the shorter shafts do make it a bit "different" to string and tune. But since you only turn them a little bit, compared to the standard tuners (ie you don't need to wrap your string around the pole more than about halfway and then tighten it to the target pitch), I would say that they are keepers. Overall I am happy with the change.
        
        I've had them on for a couple of days and am used to them already. Very stable keeping the 59 in tune - but it was super-stable anyway... right up there with the best of my other working axes.
        
        When I had the factory tuners off the guitar and was looking them over - I have to say that I was completey impressed with the quality of the factory tuners - so I'll be keeping them for a rainy day. Playing a show with the 59 tonight and don't anticipate any issues with the Schallers.
        
        If I do encounter any issues with the Schallers, I'll post an update here.
        
        Best to all,
        
        GT
        
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        digiprod
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        Aug 5, 2011 10:51 AM (in response to GeeTah)
        Re: Locking Tuners on JTV-59 Korean?
        
        Thanks again for sharing. I just got my JTV-59 back from Line 6 repair (volume control did not work on mag pickups). Looks like the fixed it. I am planning on living with the original pickups and tuners for awhile and see it they grow on me before I decide to take the plunge and swap these out. I am going to put my new JTV-69 Blue one up for sale as I just like the JTV-59 better. I do not want or can afford to keep both. If anyone on the forum is interested PM me before I list it on eBay. It is new with all the plastic still on it from Sweetwater. I realize many may be still waiting for a JTV-69, I waited almost 11 months for this one.
        
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        digiprod
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        Aug 5, 2011 4:27 AM (in response to GeeTah)
        Re: Locking Tuners on JTV-59 Korean?
        
        Looks good, thanks for sharing and taking the time to post these pics.
        
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        jealousblues
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        Jan 28, 2012 11:21 PM (in response to GeeTah)
        Re: Locking Tuners on JTV-59 Korean?
        
        I think the shorter pegs are because you dont have to wind the strings...
        and MAYBE it it gives a better angle over the nut
        or not, I dunno
        
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Locking Tuners on JTV-59 Korean?

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