Adjusting Your Guitar's Tuning Machines

by Bruce Morrison

We all struggle with getting and staying in tune. Toward that end well-lubricated, properly adjusted tuners are a powerful ally. When an instrument's tuners are correctly adjusted, they turn with as little resistance as possible. When the tuning machines are out of adjustment, the player's focus and energy is diverted to turning the tuner, instead of bringing the string to pitch.

Many guitar tuning machines are readily adjustable. On the Gotoh, Grover and Schaller tuners, there's a small set screw that does more than hold the tuner button to the shaft. Between the button and the tuner casing there's a nylon spacer and a metal lock washer. The set screw is used to adjust the tension of that lock washer. This adjustment controls only how easily the tuner turns, not its ability to hold a string to pitch. If the set screws are too tight, the gearing will eventually wear, causing further problems. There is the danger of loosening them when the set screws are too loose. Tuners should be adjusted so that next to no effort is required to turn them.

The set screw adjustment should be checked every third string change. Every sixth string change check to see that the small screws that mount the tuners to the back of the headstock, and the bushing which hold the tuners to the front of the headstock, are snug, as rattles and buzzes on instruments are often caused by loose tuner parts. Overtightening the bushings will crack the finish.

Coating all contact points of your tuners with a thin film of grease helps minimize their wear and resistance to turning. Green lithium distributor cam grease is just right for the job. Sometimes the so-called "permanently lubricated" tuners need to be greased. Open geared side mounted tuners used on slotted headstock guiters are adjusted by turning the screw which holds the gear to the post. While these tuners are not as adjustable as the other kind, greasing them does wonders.

The planetary geared tuners found on most banjos operate on a different principle. They must be set more tightly as their set screws control how easily the tuner turns and how well a string is held to pitch. As banjos and guitars far outnumber mandolins, the development of better mandolin tuners seems to still be on the back burner.

Letter From The Editor

by Cheryl A. Rice

From the time they attain consciousness, infants express their needs, fears & desires in a non-verbal form that many misinterpret as 'fussiness' or 'screaming'. They are, in fact, the original soul singers. How we move from the gut-centered, life-chomping creatures of the crib to the timid, voiceless silhouettes at the back of the coffeehouse is a complicated path, littered with potholes and stones we needn't name here.

But a very few do manage to retain some threads of connections to their guts, the yowl of humanity that touches when it is heard as well as released. These are the young ones we are seeking through the current Youth Reach Out.

You've read the yellow papers, seen the evening infotainment blurbs that tell us not to trust anyone under thirty. Don't believe it. I am confident that 2000 will be the year the Hudson Valley Folk Guild doubles its ranks-- not only because of our Millenium Membership Drive (ending March 31; send in your dues if you haven't already done so), but because of this young crop of "folkies" we seek to connect with.

Venues for those under the legal draft age are few & far between. Not only are the Guild's coffeehouses the perfect family night out, they have the potential to become a safe and enjoyable teen destination.

Remember how important music was to you as a teen? Triple that for those who are inspired to sing (& write) their own songs

HVFG Youth Reach Out 2000

The Hudson Valley Folk Guild needs your help in reaching out to musicians and songwriters between the ages of 16 and 22!

In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Guild, and in continuation of the Guild's commitment to promoting folk music through performance opportunities at member-run coffeehouses, concert venues and community benefit performances, an exciting new project is being launched to encourage young singers and songwriters of this genre in the Hudson Valley region.

Partially funded by a grant from the Dutchess County Arts Council, this new project's focus is to provide these young folks with the opportunity to perform in a variety of Hudson Valley Folk Guild venues, including participation in the Guild's annual summer concert beside other area performers.

Three winners will receive 10 hours of recording time in a professional studio or $150 each. Interested young people who wish to expand their folk horizons can submit a completed application as well as a sample recording and lyric sheet. All entries will receive two free passes to a Hudson Valley Folk Guild Coffeehouse of their choice. The deadline for applications is April 10, 2000. For details call Kevin Becker at 229-0170.

Raise your voices and sing your songs! The Hudson Valley Folk Guild looks forward to meeting you, and sharing time, talents and good music!

HVFG Youth Reach Out 2000 Application

Name: __________________________________________________________

Address: _______________________________________________________

City, State, Zip:_______________________________________________ 

Phone #, Best Time to Call:_____________________________________

School Name:____________________________________________________

Performer?(Yes/No)_____Singer?(Yes/No)__________________________                                                                                                     

Instrument (specify):___________________________________________

Title of Song Submitted:________________________________________

Composer:_______________________________________________________

Interested in working on Project Committee?_____________________

Available to Perform in:

Kingston:___  Patterson:___  Poughkeepsie:____


Mail to: Hudson Valley Folk Guild
	Box F
	Poughkeepsie, NY  12601 

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