the Fly Clone Project

My DF and my wife's DF tuners are getting rusty. We play three times a week outdoors, under an awning, but on the beach, a few hundred feet from the high tide line.

So I'm thinking of replacing the black tuners with chrome, as they seem to be more rust resistant. (???)

Before spending around $300 for both guitars, I wonder, are these the same tuners that came on the DF?

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail ... ers-chrome

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Allparts/A ... al&index=1

https://www.amazon.com/Sperzel-Trim-Lok ... 833&sr=8-2

https://www.ebay.com/itm/394226097645?h ... SwCsljEnKX

Thanks.

Notes ♫

Hey @Notes_Norton—I don’t have a DF, but if they are the same as the ones on a Fly or NiteFly then you want the six-inline all short-post Sperzel locking tuners (not the graduated kind, which have different tuner post heights).

Can you post a pic of yours? Can you measure/see if the low E tuner post is shorter than the high E tuner post?

Regardless, in my experience, the best way to order these is directly from Sperzel. Ron Spercel, the owner, can probably even confirm for you for the Dragonfly, but I’m pretty certain it’s the same tuner that was used on the Fly. Those prices you’re posting are too high for these—it should only be about $60 or so directly from Sperzel. When you order from Sperzel directly (a mom and pop company, actually) you can even customize the finish color and the tuner buttons

Thanks!

I don't think they are graduated. I'll double-check. And contact Ron @ Sperzel directly.

Double-checked, definitely look all the same height.

So it wasn't such a stupid question after all. (Whew!)

Notes ♫

No worries, man!

And definitely not a stupid question! I don’t know of any large retailer that sells the Sperzel tuners six-inline with the all short-post configuration, so it would have to be a special order.

Those prices you linked—I’m sure—reflect low supply, but I order from Sperzel all the time for our lab (just placed an order in June), and the pricing and fulfillment time was normal.

Quick shipment isn't necessary, since they are functional.

I just want to get the finish that is the least affected by salt air.

I've had this gig a few months now, and it looks like I'm going to be here as long as it's owned by the present owners. We started with one day, and now 3. Most of the other bands only get one per week, at the most.

Since they are rusting, I figure it's best to replacement before getting them off is a problem.

Notes ♫

Now my sax, that's another story. I'm using my back-up horn, and it's got dark spots where the salt is eating the lacquer. But I'm keeping it oiled and functional.

The salt is hard on the gear, schlepping every day is tiring, but I'm feeling very lucky to have this gig. We get 3 days a week, and we don't work on Friday or Saturday, which are the days we can book private parties in the season for better money.

Life is the perfect way to spend the time of day.

I've had good experience with Sperzel. You can order all manner of color & part combinations. I ordered an "all tall post" set to minimize breakover angle on a Cort that I added a trem to. Easy peasy. I tend to get Hipshots more often these days, but Sperzels are great too - and the open ones are LIGHT.

Ron @ Sperzel answered quickly, and I'm going to get 2 sets of nickel plated Sperzels.

The tuners themselves are fine, it's just the nut and washer that got rusty. And I don't blame Sperzel for that. I'm playing outdoors, oceanside, 3 days a week, and there is salt spray in the air. We're under a canvas tarp but that doesn't keep the salt air out.

Nickel should wear better.

Notes ♫