Tuners are sometimes called Machine Heads, or Machine Head Tuners.  These are the devices on the head of a stringed instrument used to tighten and loosen each string.  After several years of research and experimentation we have installed nearly all brands of tuners manufactured.  The two types of tuners we use are friction, or direct drive which protrude out the back of the head.  With the exception of a particular type of banjo tuner, there is no gearing, so the tuner button and the tuner post (where the string is wound around) rotate equally.  So, what you turn is what you get.  These are usually installed on smaller ukuleles. 

    The other type of tuner is the geared tuner.  As the name implies, a gear works with the shaft and post.  The button protrudes out the side of the head, and when turned, the post rotates a small fraction of the amount of turn, usually about 1/15 the amount the button is turned.  This provides both a slip proof hold on strings and also a very fine, accurate tuning. 

    Both friction and geared tuners are available in a variety of styles and quality.  A common misconception is that closed (covered) gear tuners, whether Grover, Schaller, or Gotoh are better quality than open, or exposed gear tuners.  Some closed gear tuners are, in fact, high quality, precision machines; however, in many cases, under pretty “covers” is revealed very cheaply made gears.  Often these tuners turn smoothly for part of the button shaft rotation, but then hit a tight spot, where the gear cut does not accurately match the fluted cut on the post. 

    With out getting any more technical with the mechanics of geared tuners, our experience has proved to us that some of the finest quality tuners made today have open, or exposed gears. Granted, some are very cheap, but others are very well made.  On both guitars and ukuleles the open gear tuners has a lighter feel and more graceful appearance. 

Click here to see Gotoh open style tuners.