Installing Grover Tuners in a Beginner Guitar

Enlarging the tuner holes in my Epiphone Special II and installing some Grover tuners to make it a more reliable guitar.
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[@jg97873]

If you're careful the tuner holes act as pilot holes for the bigger drill bit.

[@timhenry8109]

Thanks for the video. I have the exact same guitar and I'm getting ready to change the tuners. Good job!

[@brentmac122]

Dude this was such a huge help and saved me sooo much time. As a guy who works 50 hours you saved me a huge headache. Your honesty and clarity as you go throughout the experience of doing something new is admirable. Subscribed

[@billyprince533]

Mine was super pressed in pain getting them all off

[@JH-wy1yn]

Followed this video to do the same thing to mine. Thanks!

[@eze8024]

For future reference, Kluson now makes a set of tuners that fit these guitars. Just installed some, did not require drilling the holes larger or changing mounting hole locations. 100% no modification direct fit 👍

[@RobertFisher1969]

Thanks for this! I’ve got an Epiphone with the same tuners that were originally on yours. I did do research, but it seems nobody makes tuners that fit in the 7.5mm peg holes, so I’m going to have to get a reamer too. But at least I can get tuner that fit an 8.5mm hole so that I don’t have to ream all the way out to 10mm. It was nice to watch this & get some idea of what I’m in for. BTW, it seems the normal way to deal with the “hour glass” shape that the tapered reamer makes is to use a file to widen the middle of the hole. I’m not sure if I’m going to try that or just ream a little farther on the back like you did.

[@m.x.2442]

Good Video. I can completely relate. This is kinda how it goes when you're doing a new skill for the first time. Trial and error. I have an Epiphone Les Paul Special I with P90's. I pretty much did the same as you the other day. I bought new locking tuners from Amazon only to find out that the peg holes in my guitar were too small for the new tuners. I don't have a drill at the moment but fortunately I discovered the reaming tool and bought that on Amazon as well for a little more than $11 dollars. (Taper Pin Reamers, 5-16mm Bridge Pin Hole Hand Held Reamer T Handle Tapered 6 Fluted Chamfer Reaming Woodworker Cutting Tool - just in case anyone was wondering) After reaming the holes to 10mm and installing the new locking tuners, instead of just simply forcing the screws into new holes, I used an awl first and drove that into the wood making pilot holes and then put the screws into the new holes, but making sure not to over screw them either. Just tight enough to be flush and stay in. No problems, no broken screws and happy to say everything is working and on point.

[@anthonyoresteen4767]

I have installed 100's of tuners into guitars and all you need is a 10mm drill bit and a drill press. Spend $25 and get a digital micrometer and MEASURE the shaft size and holes. If you wanted to keep the holes the same size, Grover/Gotoh/Schaller all make drop in replacements. I have two of those Epiphone Les Paul Specials. - great guitars to mod.

[@2dazetake]

Should of borrowed a drill just make pilot holes,but this was very helpful on what not to do, also if you ever want to go back to 8mm tuners,be aware that they do make adapter bushings,, you might be able to easy out the old screws heads that broke off,then fill the holes with tooth picks,or small dowels,and cover with black finger nail polish, thanks for the video, it's fun working on guitars.

[@jasper_north]

Bought Waverly 1:/16 for my D18… should I have bought 1:/21 ratio?

[@BenjaminGonzalez-wv3cy]

What is the model number of the new Grover locking tuners?

[@jessebennett4221]

Hey just curious if you still have or play this guitar? Thanks for the info on the tuning pads also.

[@OkieOrganix]

Now it just needs a new non binding nut a better resonating bridge and a lightweight tailpiece. Then it won’t be a beginner guitar anymore, will it? 😆