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Date: Wed, 11 Dec 2002 21:02:46 -0500
Subject: Scruggs Tuners

My husband has expressed interest in owning "Scruggs Tuners" for his banjo.
Would you classify your Keith Tuners as Scruggs tuners?
I see you sell 2 sets, for a total of 4 strings. My husband plays a 5 string banjo.
What do you recommend?
Thanks!
B. Davis


Greetings Mrs. Davis,

Yes, the Keith Tuners are the definitive "Scruggs Tuners"...they're the best on the market and are the main choice for most all pros looking for "Scruggs Tuners"...

We've sold quite a few of these only recently...

Does your husband have gold plating or nickel plating on his banjo? You'll want to determine this before finalizing your decision...

The most common choice is to change out the 2nd and 3rd strings which means you would only need to purchase one set...most of the bluegrass standards only require these two strings for changing pitch and this would be your primary choice...however, as a secondary choice, and to enhance the 2nd and 3rd tuners, many more tunes can be played when adding the 1st and 4th keys...Mickey

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Date: Fri, 25 Oct 2002 19:46:15 -0500

Mickey

Keith D-tuner question:
Do they fit into standard Gibson tuner hole, or do the holes in the
peghead have to be drilled larger?
(I don't want irreversible damage.)
If original tuners are re-installed, do the washers, mating surfaces
match, or is there a larger imprint left by the Keith D-tuners that
would NOT be covered by the originals?
or does "factory installed" negate any of this -- how does that affect
value

Greetings,

In answer to your questions:

Do they fit into standard Gibson tuner hole, or do the holes in the
peghead have to be drilled larger?

They fit in all Gibson Pegheads fine...I haven't seen any Gibsons, or any other standard peghead designed banjos, pose a problem in fitting a Keith Style tuner. Now, if a banjo has standard Guitar Tuning Machines for keys, they almost always have to be routed out further to accommodate Keith Tuners.

If original tuners are re-installed, do the washers, mating surfaces
match, or is there a larger imprint left by the Keith D-tuners that
would NOT be covered by the originals?

This is a valid question...on your behalf, I pulled out my older RB-800, which has had Keith Tuners installed for 15 years straight, while presently, has the original keys reinstalled...and, yes, there's a very slight indentation where the larger washer of the Keith tuner resided. I'm about to reinstall my Keith tuners along with the 1 and 4 keys...I miss them...I became quite accustomed to locking in the tuning, even in standard tuning, with the Keith tuners...after I would bring my banjo up to pitch, and to ensure there would be no movement on my keys to ensure that it remains well tuned, I would lock in both cam screws...and you could accidentally bump the keys and the tuning would remain accurate.

or does "factory installed" negate any of this -- how does that affect
value

I'm not sure...the only drawback I've found with factory installed Keith Tuners is that the original tuners are no longer included. We always include the original tuners in the Keith tuner box so that the customer can bring the banjo back to its original state at any given time.

Hope this helps...Mickey

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Date: Sat, 19 Oct 2002 03:38:44 -0700
Subject: Re: D- Tuners, for 5 str. banjo

Thanks, mickey for the info on D tuners Can these tuners' stops be adjusted so as, with 4 tuners, 4 strings could be changed between open G tuning [ g d G B D ] and open E [e B E G# B ].... ie pitch lowered 3 1/2 tones or 3 frets.

i'd be very grateful to hear from you soon. cheers, Paul in lil ol New Zealand

Greetings again,

Yes, you can adjust the stops to change to either tuning; however, when loosening all 5 strings, you'll find that the tension release on the neck will alter the pitch even further...making it difficult to get it exact every time.

However, at the very least, you should only have to retune one or two of the strings...and the process should be far easier than tuning each one without a reference stop as offered by the Keith D Tuners. Remember, the high G will have to be tuned down manually...

Mickey

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Date: Wed, 16 Oct 2002 17:36:28 -0700
Subject: Re: D- Tuners, for 5 str. banjo

I'm exploring the idea of getting these. Do these , by turning the fitted pegs, change the tuning from open G to open D ? What are the open string notes in D tuning? Can you please advise me on source and price of these tuners. Thanks, Paul

Greetings Paul,

Yes, you can adjust the stop points so that the B and G strings can be tuned to A and F#...you'll still have to tune the 5th string up two frets to A with a 5th string capo...

Open string notes in D tuning:
5th String: A
4th String: D remains the same
3rd String: F#
2nd String: A
1st String: D remains the same

Hope this helps...Mickey

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Date: Fri, 6 Sep 2002 00:07:26 EDT

hi
I've been itermitently banjoing a year. could you tell me what a keith tuner is used for , and when a sond is in a key other than g , are the strings on the banjo supposed to be set to different notes or use a capo. I played guitar for 40 year or so and arthritis of hands made me stop, i'm able to play some tunes on the banjo now though as the neck is narrower than on guitar
thanks
paul lauber,md

Greetings Paul,

i've been itermitently banjoing a year. could you tell me what a keith tuner is used for:

Sure, this is a tuner that allows you to change pitch during songs...there are two locking mechanisms that allow you to stop the note at an exact pitch...it gives the banjo a pedal steel effect. Check out the following for a sound sampler of how the Keith tuners work in context:

http://www.folkofthewood.com/page735.htm

Hope the above helps...let us know if you have further questions...Mickey

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Subject: Replacement Keith D-tuner stop screw?
Date: Mon, 26 Aug 2002 10:49:35 -0600

I am missing one of the thumb screws on one of my Keith D-tuners on my Gibson "Earl Scruggs Std" banjo. It is the black screw that has a spring under it. Do you have a replacement screw and spring available? If so, please let me know the part number and cost, and I will put in an order. If not, please let me know where I might find one.

Thanks! Mike Maurer

Greetings Mike,

Bill Keith will be happy to assist you...he's very supportive of his product and will have all parts readily available...

You may reach him at:

http://www.beaconbanjo.com/pages/Home.htm

Hope this helps...Mickey

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Subject: d-tuners
Date: Sun, 26 May 2002 16:17:01 -0000

Hi Mickey...
quick tech. question for you. I recently came by a set of Keith D-Tuners. I have a '26 Gibson Mastertone (with your strap (The Folk of the Wood Circle Strap) & some strings-like the strap)... My problem is I have the Waverly V-2 tuners on the repro neck and would like to match the tuning buttons of the  d-tuners to the Waverlys. I'm considering filing the shaft down on the tuner itself so it would fit the button. (I think I saw a set on E-bay one time where someone had done this). vs. converesly trying to make the button fit the d-tuner. Good??? Bad??? idea??
appreciate your help
Cliff B.

Greetings Cliff,

Keith D-Tuners are the best! I've used one pair for 12 years 6-nights-a-week and could never wear them out...this very same set works very well unto this day. Outside of this, to the original purchaser, they carry a lifetime warranty. Bill Keith himself offered to rejuvenate them (not that they need it) through a full lubrication process free of charge. Hopefully, you have the originals and not the Schallers.

Thanks for the compliment on our FOTW Circle Strap...I use one personally and found it to be even more comfortable than the original Eagle strap I used to use.

I can't blame you for wanting to match the buttons. Bill Keith has been addressing this problem by introducing a separate line of keys with vintage pearloid buttons. I'm not sure if he has actualized these to date. You can contact him on his website at: http://www.beaconbanjo.com/pages/Home.htm

I would highly recommend not doing any filing...in fact, if you want all the buttons to match, you might consider installing the 1 and 4 string Keith tuners. I'm about to do this on my RB-800...be sure to hold on to your original keys...

Let him know that Folk of the Wood sent you...

Coincidentally, I just put up the first video sampler demonstrating the Keith tuners this evening...check it out if you get a chance:

http://www.folkofthewood.com/page735.htm

At your disposal, Mickey

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Subject: D-Tuners
Date: Fri, 10 May 2002 13:38:41 -0500

Good afternoon,

I bought an Earl Scruggs standard banjo several weeks ago and would like to
add Keith Scruggs d-tuners. I am scared to put them on myself. Is there
any problem to do that and should and how would I ship my banjo to you to
add them for me?

Thanks,

Jud Vance

Greetings Jud,

Sure, we install D-tuners...I've used them myself for many years professionally.

I was about to set up a slide show on how to install Keith Tuners on our website. However, this tutorial is weeks away from being scheduled.

It wouldn't be cost effective for you to ship your banjo to and from us for a 25.00 installation...therefore, my recommendation would be to find someone locally who has the capability. Be aware, just because someone is an accomplished luthier, do not expect them to know the installation process. It's best to find a player who uses them...since the stops have to be in the right place for easy access...and, you'll want someone to instruct you on how to pull the knobs and set them for easy access on both the "B" and "G" strings.

Let me know if you can't find someone locally...we'll do our best to assist you from our end...

Mickey

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Date: Fri, 12 Apr 2002 18:38:20 EDT

Mickey: Thanks for the reply and the straight up answer on tone difference. 

OK, can you quote me a Wildwood with the same extras? And, I goofed. What I remember is the old style Sruggs Keys that were two extra tuning pegs, between 1 & 2 and 3 & 4 that acted as cams on the front of the head piece to change the tuning on 2 & 3. Maybe (probably) they aren't made anymore. That, with the guitar style tuning machines on 1 through 4, is what I had in mind. Also, as long as I am asking, I like the ivory trim running the length of the Gold Tone neck. That possible to get in a Wildwood and if so, how much? Also, what would the lead time be?

Again, thanks for the reply.  Bob Christy

Greetings Bob,

I'm familiar with the original Scruggs' cams...they were handmade by Earl himself. There's even instructions in the Earl Scruggs book by Bill Keith teaching how to build them from scratch. They are not available commercially...

My recommendation would be the Keith tuners since they're very accurate and easier to adjust; however, they are quite a bit more expensive than the Schallers...I would go with Keith tuners on a Wildwood and more than likely, Schallers on the Gold Tone...and the traditional look of the Planetary reverse pegs...they are more practical and offer easier tuning access than guitar tuning machines.

The ivoroid binding on the neck is standard on Wildwoods...at least my Heirloom does have ivoroid all the way up the neck. Mickey

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Date: Thu, 7 Mar 2002 22:03:57 EST
Subject: Keith/Scruggs Tuner Maintenance

Hello Mickey.
Quick question on Scruggs Tuner Maintenance. I have them installed on my Deering Golden Era Banjo, and the B tuner feels like it is dragging (metal on metal feel) when I DE-tune.  My question is are there any lubricating instructions for the tuners.  I have the peg screw loose (just tight enough to keep it from DE-tuning) They have been on since 1990 and I don't want to keep using them with the dragging feeling.   I don't know what I did with the box.  Thank you.  
Steve Fisher

Greetings Steve,

Be aware, and you may already be, you have a lifetime warranty on your tuners as the original purchaser...

It's my understanding that these closed tuners should never need any kind of maintenance...see instructions below for lubrication...I've played with a set of Keith Tuners for 12 years 6-nights-a-week in one restaurant and they are still in good working order today.

I've scanned in all the information that comes with each set of tuners for your records.

In fact, I've found the exact info you're looking for in the directions:
* After several years of use, the grease may begin to dry out and the tuners become hard to turn. This can be
corrected by removing the side thumbscrews and adding a little light oil such as 3-in-1 oil, sewing machine
oil, or penetrating oil. Remember: these tuners are precision-made, and require lubrication. If you
continue to use them when they are dry and hard to turn, you may cause internal damage. Before serious
problems develop, send them back to us for a complete cleaning and relubrication. There is a nominal
charge for this service.

Mickey

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Date: Sat, 11 Aug 2001 00:27:55 -0600
Subject: Keith Tuners question

Hi Mickey,

I have some Keith tuners (2nd and 3rd string) which I will be installing
on my "Earl". Is any particular orientation preferred so that the stops
are easily adjusted? Dave Funk

Most definitely...if possible, check out our pictures on our Keith Tuners' section of our website. The pictures will show the exact orientation of each "stop" screw. By proper orientation of these "stop" screws, you'll find it far easier to utilize them, even within the middle of a song being played. Speed is of the essence when playing with Keith tuners; you'll most definitely want the pegs oriented where they can be turned in the correct direction to achieve the pitch control. This is easily done by removing the tension screw and replacing the pearloid buttons at their correct orientation. Be aware, you'll only do this process after tuning up your banjo. Mickey