Grover tuner question

[pchorman]

have a gripe about the tuners that came with my most recent guitar acquisition (LP Standard). Grover tuners are supposedly well regarded, with a 12:1 worm-gear drive-ratio or something on that order, but what good is the ratio when there's a noticeable amount of backlash in the "gear box"?

On each of the 6 tuners I can feel backlash (or slack, or play as some call it) before the tuning peg is actually engaged and starts in motion. I blame this for some touchy tunability with this axe. On my LP Studio, however, the Gibson Deluxe tuners have zero play as far as I can tell, and I find it easier to tune that guitar.

Is this normal? Since all 6 are in question I assume so. Has anyone else ever noticed it, and do you let this small amount of tuning slop even bother you? I wouldn't have known if not for having two very similar axes that I switch between all the time.

 

[Treeline]

I've noticed it as well on my guitars, but as soon as there is a little tension on the unit (whenever you load a string) it vanishes. I wouldn't blame the tuners first off. Is the nut binding?

 

[gibs]

Are your tension screws tightened enough?....if they're loose, you're gonna get some play.....(screw is located at the end of each tuning button).....my Lp standard's grovers are fine, but my fake grover-style tuners on one of my DeArmonds had really loose screws on the buttons and I wasted a lotta time and grief over tuning til I tightened 'em.................

the ratio is actually 14 to 1, I'm pretty sure, on the grovers that come on LPs.......gibs

 

[pchorman]

Treeline: could be, and I've considered that. you know these LP nuts are cut for .009's, and I have .010's on them, so there's probably a little friction. are you implying that if there were less friction at the nut the slack in the tuner could be taken up by string tension? I'm not sure about that because I always tug on the strings firmly after each tweak of the tuner to release any binding at the nut.

Gibs: will check these tension screws - never considered.

 

[Fangar]

pchorman,

Just for info. The Lp's come stock with a hybrid set. of .009-.046 (as opposed to a regular .009 gauage set of .009-.042) The trebles should not be binding too much for that reason. Maybe try a little graphite one the nut. You will know if the nut is binding many times as you will hear a pinging as the string creeps through the nut slot. Good luck,

Fangar