edstar1960 Posted April 11, 2014 Share Posted April 11, 2014 I decided to swap out my JTV59 stock tuners for some locking ones to make string changing that much easier. The replacements arrived today and they appear to be an exact match - certainly the holes line and the size is correct. Changed out the first machine head for the low E (6th) - no problem. Moved on to the A string (5th) - removed string, unscrewed bush, put screw driver in screw to remove the tiny holding screw and one turn and the screw head snapped off. :( Removed the machine head BUT now I have the body of the small screw embedded in my headstock - so I can't even replace it with a new screw. So what can I do? How can I fix it? Shall I put the new machine head on without the retaining screw - or will it just move around? Plus can I risk replacing the others now? :( And just to add to my worries - I need the guitar ready for a gig tomorrow night! Didn't imagine that the screw heads would snap off the first time I tried to undo them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisinon2 Posted April 11, 2014 Share Posted April 11, 2014 I decided to swap out my JTV59 stock tuners for some locking ones to make string changing that much easier. The replacements arrived today and they appear to be an exact match - certainly the holes line and the size is correct. Changed out the first machine head for the low E (6th) - no problem. Moved on to the A string (5th) - removed string, unscrewed bush, put screw driver in screw to remove the tiny holding screw and one turn and the screw head snapped off. :( Removed the machine head BUT now I have the body of the small screw embedded in my headstock - so I can't even replace it with a new screw. So what can I do? How can I fix it? Shall I put the new machine head on without the retaining screw - or will it just move around? Plus can I risk replacing the others now? :( And just to add to my worries - I need the guitar ready for a gig tomorrow night! Didn't imagine that the screw heads would snap off the first time I tried to undo them! Wow...quality is just oozing out of the hardware on these things, ain't it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edstar1960 Posted April 11, 2014 Author Share Posted April 11, 2014 I have just gone ahead and put the new machine heads on. I have left the broken screw in place and that machine head is being held secure just by the bush and washer - so far it seems solid - but I would feel much better if it had the small placement screw in place to ensure it cannot swivel! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ice9mike Posted April 11, 2014 Share Posted April 11, 2014 It should be fine. I had the same happen to another guitar when installing Sperzels. They held no problem. A competent luthier can extract it for you. They do this all the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil_m Posted April 11, 2014 Share Posted April 11, 2014 It's not all that uncommon. I found a few videos showing a few methods just with a quick search. There are a few different ways to go about it with larger screws, but with a small screw like this, you're probably looking at something like this: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie_Watt Posted April 11, 2014 Share Posted April 11, 2014 I think it will be fine the way you have it if you have the bushing tight. It will be a chore to extract that screw unless some of it is sticking out enough to grab with a set of pliers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snhirsch Posted April 12, 2014 Share Posted April 12, 2014 Stewart-McDonald makes a kit precisely for removing broken tuner screws. It's very clever, but may be overkill for working on only one instrument. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edstar1960 Posted April 12, 2014 Author Share Posted April 12, 2014 Thanks very much for all your replies! I spoke to my luthier who has said he can create a drill bit especially for extracting the screw and then patch the hole after - he says in the 30 plus years he has been working on guitars I am the first person who has had this happen, so he doesn't think he will get much use out of the drill bit but he says he won't charge me for that part of the work as he will benefit from having the extraction tool to use, if anybody else ever comes to him with the same problem. However, from what you guys say, in the bigger world it has happened to far more than just me and is a problem that people know how to overcome. For now the bush is holding it tight so fortunately no rush needed to get it fixed - but I will ensure I have a spare guitar at gigs until I get it sorted, just in case. Thanks again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vettacon Posted April 20, 2014 Share Posted April 20, 2014 @Edstar1960, which locking tuners did you end up using? I'd like to do the same with my JTV59 but haven't had tome to find the right size without having to bore the headstock holes or drill new screw locations. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edstar1960 Posted April 20, 2014 Author Share Posted April 20, 2014 @Edstar1960, which locking tuners did you end up using? I'd like to do the same with my JTV59 but haven't had tome to find the right size without having to bore the headstock holes or drill new screw locations. Thanks. I bought these unbranded tuners which are a perfect fit: http://www.axesrus.co.uk/Rear-Disc-Locking-Single-Hole-Machine-Heads-p/jn013x3.htm I understand that Planet Waves Auto Trim tuners are also a perfect match but they are over double the cost of the ones I found at axesrus. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oehman Posted April 20, 2014 Share Posted April 20, 2014 I bought Schallet locking tuners model 2900/chrome on Amazon for $77 a few months ago for my JTV-59. Easy install nice tuners. String changes are much quicker. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vettacon Posted April 21, 2014 Share Posted April 21, 2014 Thanks edstar1960 and oehman! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisinon2 Posted April 21, 2014 Share Posted April 21, 2014 I bought these unbranded tuners which are a perfect fit:http://www.axesrus.co.uk/Rear-Disc-Locking-Single-Hole-Machine-Heads-p/jn013x3.htm I understand that Planet Waves Auto Trim tuners are also a perfect match but they are over double the cost of the ones I found at axesrus. I've had 'em all...Schaller, Sperzel, Gotoh...but the Planet Waves auto-trims are the most satisfying invention ever. Don't need wire cutters or the clipper thing on the end of the peg-winder, neither of which I can ever manage to find when I sit down to change the strings. But with these things, changing strings is totally painless. Thread the string through, twist and the end just falls off. Best thing ever. They're not the prettiest tuners I've ever seen, but certainly not hideous and the convenience is priceless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie_Watt Posted April 21, 2014 Share Posted April 21, 2014 I like the planet waves also. Very easy to change strings and they tune very well also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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