How to Properly Replace Your Guitar Tuners – 6 Essential Steps to Avoid Misalignment or Damage
Although they look small, tuners play a major role in tuning accuracy, tuning stability, and overall playing comfort. If you are planning to replace your tuning machines, following a clear process will help you avoid crooked pegs, chipped finishes, or stripped screw holes.
Below is a simple six-step method for installing new guitar tuners, whether you are a DIY player or a professional tech.
6-Step Method for Installing Guitar Tuners
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Remove the old tuners
Use a suitable screwdriver to carefully remove the old tuning machines. Work slowly to avoid slipping and scratching the headstock finish. -
Clean and inspect the holes
Check each tuner hole and screw hole for damage, such as stripped wood or small cracks. If necessary, fill weak holes with wooden toothpicks and wood glue, then let them dry completely. This reinforces the screw holes and gives the new tuners a solid grip. -
Dry-fit and align the new tuners
Place the new tuners into the headstock without installing screws yet. Use a ruler or straightedge to make sure all tuner posts are in a straight line and evenly spaced. Adjust the position until the alignment looks perfect. -
Mark new screw positions and drill pilot holes
Once you are happy with the alignment, mark the screw locations lightly with a pencil. Remove the tuners and drill small pilot holes (around 1.0–1.5 mm, depending on screw size). Pilot holes help prevent the headstock wood from splitting and make installation smoother. -
Install the screws lightly and leave room for adjustment
Reinstall the tuners and insert the screws, but do not tighten them all the way yet. Drive each screw in about halfway so the tuners can still move slightly for final alignment. -
Final alignment check and tightening
Do a final visual check from different angles to confirm that all tuners are straight and evenly spaced. Once everything looks aligned, carefully tighten all the screws. Your new tuners should now feel solid, smooth, and ready for stringing.
Upgrade Your Tuners Without the Headache
If you want to upgrade your tuners with accurate, stable, and smooth-feeling hardware, explore Guyker’s precision-machined tuner series. They are designed to make installation easier and to deliver reliable tuning performance over the long term.