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Grover Accordion Accessory (502C)
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Return this item for free
Free returns are available for the shipping address you chose. You can return the item for any reason in new and unused condition: no shipping charges
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- Select the return method
- Ship it!
Purchase options and add-ons
Color | Chrome |
Brand | Grover |
Model Name | 502C |
Item Dimensions LxWxH | 4.4 x 0.8 x 8.7 inches |
Item Weight | 6.4 ounces |
About this item
- Insert the string through the post hole, wrap around once, then lock by tightening with the thumb screw.
- Locking machine heads utilize the famous 18:1 Rotomatic design with a "thumb screw" mechanism.
- Perfect replacement for the most standard machine heads. Chrome, 3 Per Side.
- Includes all mounting hardware.
- Insert the string through the post hole, wrap around once, then lock by tightening with the thumb screw.
- Insert the string through the post hole, wrap around once, then lock by tightening with the thumb screw.
- Locking machine heads utilize the famous 18:1 Rotomatic design with a "thumb screw" mechanism.
- Perfect replacement for the most standard machine heads. Chrome, 3 Per Side.
- Includes all mounting hardware.
- Mounting screws and threaded hex peghead bushings with washers are included. 10mm-diameter (13/32") pegholes required
Frequently bought together
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Product information
Item Weight | 6.4 ounces |
---|---|
Product Dimensions | 4.4 x 0.8 x 8.7 inches |
ASIN | B002RX7JD4 |
Item model number | 502C |
Customer Reviews |
4.8 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #14,935 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments) #897 in Electric Guitar Parts |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
Date First Available | April 7, 2010 |
Color Name | Chrome |
Musical Style | rock |
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What's in the box
Product Description
The newest addition to the Grover family, these locking machine heads utilize the famous 18:1 Rotomatic design with a “thumb screw” mechanism which locks the string into place. Insert the string through the post hole, wrap around once, then lock by tightening with the thumb screw. Perfect replacement for the most standard machine heads. Includes all mounting hardware.
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Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the quality, ease of installation, and appearance of the tuners. For example, they say it's a quality product, holds in tune, and is easy to install. Customers are also impresseded with the modern-looking design and locking mechanism. That said, opinions are mixed on fit and value.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers are satisfied with the quality of the tuners. They mention that they look great, perform excellent, and are manufactured well. Some say that the tuner is an amazing replacement for the horrible stock tuners, and that it works great without any drilling. Overall, most are happy with their purchase and recommend them to others.
"...PROS- Quality product- 18 to 1 tuning ratio vs. 14:1 on original rotomatic-..." Read more
"...These are fantastic and very high quality.Some tips for installing......" Read more
"...A simple screw driver and a rachet is all you need. Pretty and works well.GREAT TUNING STABILITY." Read more
"...Work great too!" Read more
Customers are satisfied with the tuning of the musical instruments. They mention that the tuners are rock solid, hold in tune, and feel like precision instruments. The tuning stability seems improved, and the changes are a breeze. They also appreciate the gradual tuning, and say that the finish is flawless.
"This is a good tuner, but just a little misleading that they describe it as "using the rotomatic design", and a "perfect replacement"..." Read more
"...The look, the fit, and the feel are absolutely outstanding. These are fantastic and very high quality.Some tips for installing......" Read more
"...Pretty and works well.GREAT TUNING STABILITY." Read more
"...on the Grovers works like a charm and of course they feel like precision instruments...." Read more
Customers find the locking machines for musical instruments easy to install. They mention that there's no drilling or filing needed, and the machines drop right in with no hassle. Customers also say that the strings stay in tune and are much easier to restring.
"Simple to install. A simple screw driver and a rachet is all you need. Pretty and works well.GREAT TUNING STABILITY." Read more
"No drilling, reaming, sanding, etc...." Read more
"...Anyway, nice locking machines, pretty darn easy to install...." Read more
"...These dropped right in with no hassle. The only drawback is that I had to drill pilot holes for the little screws into the back of the head stock...." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the appearance of the musical instruments. They mention that it looks great, has a beautiful chrome finish, and is modern-looking. They are also happy with the look and feel of the tuners, which are well-made and have a flawless finish. Some say that the tuner is a nice drop-in for Kluson style instruments, and that it matches nickel hardware reasonably well.
"Simple to install. A simple screw driver and a rachet is all you need. Pretty and works well.GREAT TUNING STABILITY." Read more
"...Nice drop in for Kluson style (you will be left with an extra hole)...just need to enlarge the hole to 10mm...." Read more
"...They feel better (smoother) while tuning and they look better than the originals, IMO. They even came with 12 screws (only need six)...." Read more
"...Totally sweet. Use tape as a depth reference (see pic)..." Read more
Customers find the locking tuners on the musical instruments easy to use. They say the tuners stay in tune and change strings in less than five minutes. Some mention that the locks make restringing a breeze.
"...So much easier for stringing up the guitar (straight in and lock), and they hold in tune, in my opinion, better than the standard tuners..." Read more
"...My mod shop Fender Strat came with locking tuners which make string changing so easy, I bought these for my Gibson SG Supreme...." Read more
"...Drop in installation, with no drilling required. String changes are a breeze and tuning stability seems improved." Read more
"...and makes changing strings on stage a breeze, literally seconds...." Read more
Customers like the locking mechanism of the musical instruments. They say it works well, makes string changes a breeze, and stays in tune fine. Some mention that the locking tuners are great for bigsby guitars.
"...Locking mechanism for fast string changes, also great for bigsby guitars.CONS-..." Read more
"...And he is pleasant and quite knowledgeable. Anyway, nice locking machines, pretty darn easy to install...." Read more
"...The machined gears are smooth and stable, and the locks work great." Read more
"...The locking tuners stay in tune fine." Read more
Customers are mixed about the fit of the tuners. Some mention that they fit perfectly for their Les Paul Studio Deluxe II and Gretsch Streamliner Guitar with no drilling. However, others say that the physical dimensions are different than the original design, and the tuner won't fit a Les Paul headstock. The wheel seems too loose and doesn't have that snug feel they're used to with locking tuners, and they'll be a bit short on the string peg side.
"Perfect in every way! They are a drop-in replacement with a perfect fit...." Read more
"...one thing that I love the most about these things is they make the strings feel tighter...." Read more
"...The physical dimensions are different than the original design both in the footprint, the stem length, and the stem housing length that extends into..." Read more
"Drop it perfect fit for my Gibson Les Paul" Read more
Customers are mixed about the value of the musical instruments. Some mention it has a great price, while others say it's a bit pricey.
"...They're less expensive to use and have never failed me...." Read more
"Top of the line tuners at a great price , saved $35 from what the music store wanted for them !" Read more
"...maybe just one or two, nothing major, it works, and #2, they're a bit pricey, I think normal ones are $49 and theses were $79, I'm willing to pay..." Read more
"Great tuners great price arrived within 5 days fits perfect on my les paul. much more efficient tuners, 18:1 works so much better..." Read more
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The physical dimensions are different than the original design both in the footprint, the stem length, and the stem housing length that extends into the headstock to support the tuner. For exact physical specificiations see the manufacturer's website for the drawings on this and other grover tuners. If you compare these "rotogrips" to "rotomatics" you will see many dimensions are different and the rotogrips are slightly smaller. I was going to post the drawings here but I don't see a way to post a photo, just videos.
PROS
- Quality product
- 18 to 1 tuning ratio vs. 14:1 on original rotomatic
- Available in Chrome, Gold or "black chrome"
- Fits into same headstock hole as original rotomatics, and screw on back is and exact fit to the placement of that screw on original rotomatics.
- Locking mechanism for fast string changes, also great for bigsby guitars.
CONS
- Not available in Nickel Finish - which means many Gibson guitars hardware won't match.
- Stem is shorter than orginal rotomatics. Might be ok, but on my 335 it looked like it was going to be kind of annoying to try to get the string into the tuner. They needed to be a little longer.
- Back casing is different dimensions than original rotomatics, and is SMALLER so may reveal small marks on the back of the headstock from original tuners.
TUTORIAL ON GROVERS
The 102 is the orginal rotomatic. It is offered in Chrome, Nickel, Gold, and Black Chrome. It has a 14:1 turn ratio.
The 102-18 is the same dimensions as the 102, but has a 18:1 turn ratio. It is also offered in the same 4 finishes - Gold, Chrome, Black Chrome and Nickel.
The 502C is this Chrome, locking "roto-grip." It is similar to, but a little different from the original rotomatics in that it has a locking mechanism, and has somewhat different dimensions. It is offered in Chrome (502C), Gold (502G), and Black Chrome (502BC) but not Nickel.
(update): The 106 series is also a locking tuner, but doesn't have the knob on the back. It is available in Chrome (106C), Black Chrome (106BC), and Gold (106G). It locks using an internal cam rather than a manual thumbwheel on the back. Gover describes it like this: "Simply insert the string through the string hole, pull to tension by hand and begin tuning. As you start to tune, only the locking cam in the string post turns. Once the string is locked, the string post begins to turn allowing you to bring the string to pitch. In less then one revolution of the string post, you will be in tune, to stay in tune. Gear ratio is 18:1." I just ordered a set of these and will try them out on a guitar that has standard rotomatics in Gold hardware. Unfortunately, if I like the 106, it is also not offered in Nickel and so won't match my ES-335 that has standard rotomatics in nickel. Shame really.
I contacted the company about the nickel finish and they said they "offered them 5 years ago but the product bombed because the purists who had nickel hardware didn't like locking tuners". Personally, I think they just didn't leave them in market long enough to align with many of the newer Gibsons with Nickel that people may wait a few years then decide to "upgrade". The 502 will fit in the same size headstock hole as the 102's but will not extend as deep into the headstock with the casing. The stem is somewhat shorter than the orginals which could be problematic depending on the thickness of the headstock on your particular guitar. The small screw on the back is positioned exactly the same as on a 102. In that sense it is a "drop in" match, but not an exact match. There are also two very small "dots" on the back surface designed to dig into the back of the headstock and help keep the tuner from twisting in the slot (in addition to the screw). The 102 does not have these so when you insert the 502 in the hole you actually have to get it well positioned and put the small screw in part way, then screw in the barrel nut from the front face and tighten it down making sure you have the tuner exactly where you want it. These are barely noticeable unless you look closely, but they are a difference between thh 102 and the 502. At first I thought the housing was bent because it didn't sit flush. Then I inspected the back face with a magnifying glass and my thumbnail and discovered the tiny "dots". Again - not a big deal, just describing them here for readers who may be considering dropping these in as a replacement for original grovers.
There is a small risk of revealing markings around the outside back of the tuners since the dimensions are slightly smaller on the rotogrips, but the differences are pretty small and only the perfectionists will notice that difference. The stem length could be a bigger issue depending on the thickness of your headstock.
SUMMARY
Good product, looks and feels like a Grover and has a locking mechanism. Be sure you don't have nickel hardware if you are ordering these or it won't match. "Works" as a replacement for an original rotomatic, but not an exact match replacement and might have some annoyances with the fit depending on your specific guitar. If you're just not sure, try them and if you're not satisfied with the fit, send 'em back like I did. Might cost you a few bucks in shipping.
You will need to drill pilot holes for the securing screws on the back - that shouldn't be a surprise.
The look, the fit, and the feel are absolutely outstanding. These are fantastic and very high quality.
Some tips for installing...
After removing the robotic tuners and cleaning everything up, I was trying to think of the best way to make sure these were perfectly aligned, and I think I did pretty well. Here's what I did...
Securely place the guitar face down on your clean/protected work surface or hang it backward on a suitable stand.
Install them two-at-a-time, from the bottom set to the top. This makes it easier to align using my method.
Pop in the bottom two.
Put the washer on the front - be sure the beveled side faces out.
Install the nuts and get them barely snug.
Line them up by eye and snug them up a bit more. They should still be able to be moved - not move on their own, and not very tight at all.
Next, I used a STRAIGHT wood block (about 1" x 1" and 4" long) and laid it across the tops of both tuners at the same time.
Line them up again so that the tops of the tuners are flush with the wood block with BOTH at the same time.
Snug them up pretty good now - not to final tightness, but fairly snug.
Now if you check with the wood block, they probably slipped just a bit when snugging them up, so make final alignment adjustments.
Both tuners should be perfectly flat against the block at the same time and pretty snugly tightened.
Using an awl (or ice pick or similar), very carefully make a small dimple where you'll drill - CENTER it carefully and make a good dimple.
That will guide the drill bit.
Using a 1/16" drill bit and masking tape to mark the depth, insert one of the screws into the tuner so you see how much of the screw goes into the wood.
Wrap a small piece of masking tape where you want to stop drilling. I usually leave just about 1-2 threads' worth un-drilled so the screw bites into the wood at the end.
Do NOT NOT drill! I've seen folks just drive the screws without pilot holes and that's just not a good idea, especially if you're putting 3 screws in a straight line into hardwood.
Mark carefully. Set depth carefully. Drill carefully.
Drive in the screws. It's not a strength competition. Just get them screwed in and snug.
Go back and make final tightening on the nuts on the front.
Same thing for the next two sets.
Enjoy!
GREAT TUNING STABILITY.
I now have the original tuning machines stored away carefully if I ever want to sell the guitar and want it back in original condition. (Not likely by the way...Crafter makes great instruments!) The locking mechanism on the Grovers works like a charm and of course they feel like precision instruments. I'm very pleased with the upgrade, the price and Amazon's usual delivery.
Top reviews from other countries
Reviewed in Mexico on January 25, 2021