ik it’s been 5 years, but this was actually incredibly insightful. i didn’t know it came with instructions because, well, i haven’t gotten them yet. i ordered them and thought “i should probably fully understand how these work before i get my hands on them and break them”. regardless, thank you so much man. i can’t wait to explore the possibilities this grants me
I'm putting two of these on my guitar and you answered so many questions I had! Thanks a bunch! It sounds like Kieth tuners, D-tuners, and keyed tuners are all names you can call this type...If you are wondering "why would you put them on a guitar?" look up passionflower by jon gomm.
I’m in exactly the same situation as you were! Is it ok if I ask you a couple questions since I can barely find any others that want to put (what seems like) tuners designed for banjo on a guitar? I’m assuming that by now you’ve done this lol so do these tuners actually fit and function on a guitar without any alterations needing to made so the size is correct or something?
Thanks a great deal.... I just installed d tuners after about 45 years.... I really didn't know how to use them.... I made a set of d tuners many years ago from the Scruggs book but wore them out in a hurry.... Nice to know how to do it the right way... Many thanks again.... I haven't played any instruments in over a year and it's like learning all over again.... Being 80 years old now doesn't help either....
I’ve got a set of Keith tuner that are still in the box, price from Elderly was 70 dollars! My father in law bought them somewhere in the 70’s I guess, they are about 200 dollars more now!
I have set I bought used in a baggie. The set screws are removed. Looking at the tuning machine housing, there is a threaded hole midways and one closer to the edge. After cleaning them good, and lubing, they now turn better. Here is my question. Do corresponding set screw colors go in corresponding holes in the tuning machine housing? In other words, if I chose black and bottom, which would be easy for an old guy to remember, do the black set screws go in the middle hole or one closer to edge. And is it same both tuners? I will chose black as bottom, since both start with b, and will recall nickel as top tuning note. If it helps others, you can brake clean with straw out the middle hole and it will come out hole towards edge and around top of housing. Then you can blow out with air compressor, and lube with your choice. I mixed a little ATF in with white lithium and they turn fantastic now.
Thanks lots! I've always known that about tuning, but somehow, I was overlooking that with the D-tuners and had lot's of problems with it. This makes perfect sense. I look forward to trying that.
It’s possible. Martin Keith now runs Beacon Banjo company. I suggest you get in touch with him. Email: inquiries@beaconbanjo.com Web: www.beaconbanjo.com
I always follow that sequence of tuning my d tuners. However if you do a break up the neck with string bending, they go out of tune again. Finally got fed up with them and bought some cheat A keys which work much better. No more fiddling with the Keiths.
I have a question, I installed the d tuners and they work, but on my G string, even though I loosened the set screws, the tuner wont hold when I try to tune it, it automatically turns itself down again, any ideas?
Tom, the tuners have a black and silver screw. What happens when you have a kid who takes the screws out and you don't know till you dig your banjo out a few years later and have forgotten which threaded holes they were in to begin with because you haven't played the thing in like six years? Can you show the back face of the banjo head so we can all see which holes the different color screws go in? Please?
PatientZero000, look at online photos of Beacon Brand D Tuners. Or better yet go to their website and get the phone number. www.beaconbanjo.com/ ask for Martin Keith, he will kindly help you.
I don’t think it matters. The two colors are just a “visual management” so you can distinguish the high note from the low note. I am using the original “Keith-Beacon” banjo D-tuners. www.beaconbanjo.com/product-category/keith-banjo-tuners/
You are the only one explaining this on youtube. Why are you using another tuning? it's confusing enough. It seems you are in open A. I can't set the tuners, when I tight up the black screw it won't let me go down.
Esteban Arroyo, my explanation is for genuine Beacon Brand Keith Tuners (designed by Bill Keith). Yes, I am at low pitch D/A instead of G/D but that does not matter at all. The principals of what I am saying are true regardless. Best Wishes, Tom
Hi Chuck, you’ll have to give me more description. What exactly does “can’t get the tuner set” mean? Do you mean you can’t get it in tune? Or do you mean the screws won’t tighten? It could also be that your string is pinching in the nut, in which case you have to either try lubricating the slot with some pencil lead, or widen the slot. If you have to widen the slot, use a welding tip cleaner that is only slightly larger in diameter than the string (use calipers to measure). Welding tip cleaners come in sets and are super cheap. Available at any place that sells compressed air and compressed gases.
Chuck Moore - for the high pitch tune UP to it (from below). For the low pitch tune down (come from above). After you set it tune it back and forth to make sure it’s OK. If that doesn’t work, then I suspect the string is being pinched in the nut. You must widen the slot (maybe take it to a repair shop. Any good guitar shop can do the nut work)
