Tuning Keys on Fender Deluxe 8

[Roger Guyett]

I've got an 8 string fender - I think its called the deluxe 8.
Im curious about the tuning keys - I haven't seen them on other similarly aged fenders (I'm thinking 1960s).....
Are they replacements? or original? They have a "plastic-y" feel but work fine.
Just curious!

[Brad Bechtel]

Those are replacements. Do a search for what the original keys would have looked like.

[Roger Guyett]

Thanks - so those aren't orig.
Heres one thread I found:

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopi ... eplacement

Which I believe are the correct tuners for my guitar.
I'm imagining these dont come on the market very often.
Anyway, Ill do some more searching.
Is there a recommended tuner? If I wanted to replace my replacements?

[Ben Elder]

They could be original--if it otherwise makes sense that your Deluxe is late '60s or beyond. On standard guitars, Fender shifted over from Klusons to some Schaller-made tuners with the buttons shown. Single standard-guitar tuners had covers with a stamped F. Finding a replacement set of Schaller-made 4+4 tuners may be difficult as Fender wasn't making many steels in the years these tuners would have been used. Not that finding the predecessor Klusons is a guarantee of instant gratification...

[Brad Bechtel]

Sorry to disagree with Ben, but I've never seen any Fender steel guitar with that type of tuner button before. Do a search for "fender deluxe 8 tuners" and you'll find many examples of how they should look.

If these tuners work well, I would not bother changing them.

[Roger Guyett]

From what I've found out, I would agree with you Brad.
But obviously wanted the expertise of the forum.
The ones on the guitar have faceted (straight lines making up the shapes), the originals seem to have curved edges.

[Dave Mayes]

Hi Brad,
I believe you're posting photos of Deluxes that predate the use of the faceted tuner buttons.

[Roger Guyett]

Dave and Brad -
So they are orig! They did use these faceted tuners?
I couldn't find a pic that showed that.
Thanks!

[Dave Mayes]

Hey Roger,
I think we need to recap...

Brad thinks they are NOT original.
Ben thinks they ARE original.
I think they ARE original.

Two ta One....it's a landslide!

But seriously....
I Google pictured for one like yours and nothing jumped up(I wasn't trying very hard).
However, I HAVE seen them on the internet in the past and it's my firm belief that I will see them again somewhere down the road. Keep a lookout for yourself!

Just because we haven't seen something in our everyday experience or seen it on the internet, doesn't rule out the possiblity of it's existence.

Que?

[Roger Guyett]

Ha! Very democratic Dave - the "origs" have the majority

I'll keep looking for pics as you suggest.
Thanks!

[Andy Sandoval]

Here's an early 70's Deluxe 8 that I used to own. Coincidence? Nahhhhh! Fender used these tuners once apon a time on their deluxe 8 models.

[Doug Beaumier]

Yes, absolutely original. In 1966 Fender changed over to the "F TUNERS" on the Telecaster, Stratocaster, and within a couple of years the non-pedal steel guitars. If you see those hexagon shaped tuner buttons... it's late 60s, early 70s.





Here is my 1974 Deluxe 8:




And my 1968 Telecaster:

[Roger Guyett]

Thanks Andy and Doug!
Very helpful. Orig it is.

[Doug Beaumier]

Andy, I really like that Black finish on your Deluxe 8! That color was available starting in 1976. The Deluxe (and the Stringmaster) was discontinued by 1981, so there aren't many black ones out there. It's a rare bird.

[Brad Bechtel]

Well, it appears I'm incorrect. That's a variation I hadn't seen before.

"I thought I was wrong once, but I was mistaken."

[Roger Guyett]

Ben Elder had the answer first off...
thanks Ben!

[Martin Curnan]

I purchased my black fender deluxe 6 December 11 1977 new for $550 from Okadas Music at Eleele,kauai It has the same tunning keys as shown. Not the oval or llollipop style.