Changing Tuners? Dec. '96 Epi LP

[JotaDe]

Hello all,
I look forward to getting some great info and tips from this site - I've been on the Gibson/Epi site for awhile and finally found this one.

Anyway, I'd like some help with changing tuners.
I've got a Epi LP made in Dec. '96 and the D tuner buzzes.
These are the Kluson tuners w/plastic heads.

I would like to change them all out, and here is the hard part, I'd like to do it without haveing to ream the holes at all.
I've read that the '96 Epi's have 8mm headstock holes and that most (all I can find) machine heads today are 10mm.

Are there any 8mm machine heads still being made?
Has anyone changed their '96 LP tuners out and may have some advice?

Thanks!

[CAFeathers]

I can not think of any decent 8mm tuning machines that are still being made. Everything has switched over to industry standard 10mm.

[JotaDe]

Yikes bad news!

Maybe I can find an older set up ebay or another online auction?

I'm scared to find out how much it will cost me to have someone ream out the holes...

[CAFeathers]

Contact your local guitar shop and see if they know of any. Check the price of having the holes reamed out too, it may not be as expensive as you think.

[JotaDe]

Thanks for the help CAFeathers.

I'll check into this, there are tons of guitar ships in the bay area so hopefully I'll be able to price hunt.

[CAFeathers]

Where in the bay area are you? I might be able to help you out. I'm in Vacaville.

[JotaDe]

I'm smack dab in the concrete jungle.
Live in Campebll down by San Jose.

[sandman]

I just had that done to my Lp classic. I'll try to find the invoice to find out if they broke the labor on that down. I had a bunch of things done at the same time (pickups changed)and it wasn't cheap.
I had to have mine reamed out because I had already bought my tuners. I do think Guitar Center has replacement tuners with the correct matchup..I could be wrong on that...frequently am. But I believe grover has replacement tuners to fit the older axes.

[CAFeathers]

I'm checking with Epiphone about replacements to see what they say. I'll let you know as soon as I find something out.

[JotaDe]

Wow, I really appreciate the help in here.
I was looking at the big websites, Musicians Friend, Samsash, Music123, etc. and all of their tuners (Grover, GOTOH, etc.) were either 10 mm of non-metric.

I read on the epiphone forums that '96 models had 8mm holes - I'll see if I can take a tuner out tonight to measure the hole.

[CAFeathers]

Yes, My '01 Epi LP has the 8mm tuners

I have the el-cheapo set that came out of an Epi Special II that are all metal, but the screw holes would have to be moved. You are more than welcome to them, all I ask is shipping or pick them up in person.

[JotaDe]

Thanks for the offer but I'll hold off for now, I just want to make sure I can't find something of higher quality first.
I'll run to guitar center to see if they have any 8mm sets....

[Smooth]

Jota did you buy this LP new in 1996? If so, and the machine heads are creating a buzzing noise, then i urge you to get in touch with Epiphone directly. I have seen things such as this get taken care of here at the plant in Nashville completly under warranty.

[CAFeathers]

That is good to know Smooth. Thank You for chiming in.

[JotaDe]

Actually I just bought it last January off ebay.
So no warranty help for me.