www.KitGuitarsForum.com

I'm in the early days of a slothead project, and I'd like to find a set of inexpensive serviceable tuners. Dirt cheap and cork-sniffing expensive, I can find. Good-enough-to-use tuners, I'm at a loss.

Any guidance will be cherished.

Thanks, folks.

I've used these Grovers on guitars I've kept for myself and find them quite good. They have a nice, smooth action and are reliable. They are my go-to when money is tight. I like Schaller open back tuners for most of my builds as they have a higher-end feel and look but are much more expensive. These Grovers are very nice, smooth, feel good, and stay in tune. For 60 bucks, they are a great deal. They are not crap by any means.

https://www.stewmac.com/parts-and-hardw ... 20Products

edit: I was surprised to see a review on that Stewmac product page that I wrote 3 years ago but did not remember! But I still agree with myself. hahaha.



I use these on my own builds.
By John Read from Indianapolis, IN Verified buyer
04/30/2022
I've built lots of guitars. Grover's are very nice. I use them on the guitars I built for myself. Some players want to "upgrade" to the much more expensive Waverley's which maybe seem a bit higher end in machine quality but there is nothing wrong with Grovers. They are smooth, tight, work well, and look great. I've used Schaller Grand-Tune as well and they are as high end as Waverley at bit lower price point. I'm making a new 000 Rosewood and Adi build now and am here to order more gold Grovers. Good stuff. You won't be disappointed with these.

Thanks, folks. Grover makes a zillion variations of tuners. Which versions are in this conversation?

I've used Grover 18:1 on several slot head guitars and they work fine, maybe a little inconsistent from one set to another. They are guaranteed for life and Grover replaced one for me (it came off a Martin I had for a while) but it cost me as much to ship the faulty one to them as it would have cost to buy a replacement. Still good service. John Hall sells Grover tuners now - ask him too. I have used Gotoh 18:1 open back solid head tuners but not slot head. They are comparable to Gotoh I would say. But I must say, my most recent slot head has Schallers on it, and they are wonderful - noticeably better in function than Grovers, and beautifully finished. Bruce W.

Peter,
As a fellow bargain hunter, thought you might check these out, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BDGYJ54?re ... asin_title. Look at the comparison items too. I got a set but haven't used them yet. These are described as classical tuners but none of them have the classical style posts.

phavriluk wrote: ↑Wed Mar 26, 2025 1:03 am Thanks, folks. Grover makes a zillion variations of tuners. Which versions are in this conversation?

Grover 18:1 Sta-Tite Slotted Peghead Guitar Machines are the ones I've used and linked. 60 bucks for silver, 95 for gold for some odd reason.

Peter
I just put a set on the classical guitar I'm building yesterday purchased on Amazon. Chinese made, I think they were less than $25. They look good and seem fine. I bought them a few years ago and wanted to give them a try.

Look there. I've seen steel string slot head tuners also under $20.

My confusion is persistent. I'm having a hard time identifying tuners suitable for a steelstring guitar. Lots of 'classical' tuners. I'm at a loss as to how to parse this.

Thanks!

No worries. I’m always confused.

This link will take you to the $60 steel string slot head Grover’s I’ve used.

https://www.stewmac.com/parts-and-hardw ... 20Products



Here’s a photo of them on one of my builds

Aha! Progress! Thanks! Grover decoded. I want the 'H' (horizontal) Sta-Tite variations for a slothead. This took me a while, and I thank everybody who helped.