Larrivee tuner button

[Chris Lounsbury]

Broken tuner button on a Larrivee and I am looking for the most cost effective way to replace it. Replacement sets are available directly from Larrivee but they are quite expensive. According to their information what I have in hand is an older model, which uses a conical aluminum bushing between the tuner shaft and the body of the button. Their replacements fit the same shaft but now the button itself is molded to fit directly on the shaft, and the conical bushing is not required.

What I want to know is, is this a Schaller-style arrangement? I am relatively new to repair, having previously built new instruments, so I am lacking in the historical knowledge of the whole range of parts. I know for sure this is not a Gotoh machine head as a Gotoh button does not fit on the shaft (shaft larger than hole). If this is a rebranded Schaller machine head then I would order replacement Schaller style buttons from Stewmac at much less cost than from Larrivee.

The tuner shaft itself is .150" across the major diameter and .138" across the flats

[JC Whitney]

This might not be the route you’d choose… but if trying to keep cost down I wonder if you could build that back up with black epoxy (release agent or maybe wax on the shaft to allow removal) and then sand/buff down to original shape?

[Bob Gramann]

It sure looks like the standard Gotoh tuners that StewMac sells. It wouldn’t cost much to replace the whole set of tuners if the fit is the same.

[Mark McLean]

Gotoh, Ping and Schaller (M6) brands of closed tuners look very similar. I think those are Gotoh because the little tab for the screw is at an angle (Schaller and Ping are straight). If you want to be sure you could take one off and the manufacturer name is usually on the hidden face.

[Mark McLean]

And, apparently, if you look at the screw in the end of the button (the one that holds it onto the shaft) - Schallers have a straight slot screw and both Ping and Gotoh have Phillips head screws. This is according to the very knowledgeable Todd Yates at UMGF:
https://umgf.com/what-brand-tuners-are- ... 23106.html

[Chris Lounsbury]

Thanks for the input everyone.

Decided against crafting something with epoxy filler, must be a new button. One thing is certain, Gotohs don't fit, and since I couldn't find absolute certainty that Schallers would work, I went with replacements ordered direct from Larrivee. Turns out they offer both direct replacement Ebonoids, and also aluminum ones less prone to breakage, at a lower price. Went aluminum.

Thanks again and all the best to everyone.

[Mark McLean]

Easiest choice, and a good one! Financial pain is usually of brief duration, while a repair that is not quite right keeps hurting you.