Sperzel tuning keys

Karen Sarkisian · From: Boston, MA, USA

I recently purchased a set of Sperzel tuning keys to replace the worn out ones on my Franklin S-10. I told the sperzel guys it is a Franklin pedel steel guitar and attached a photo. The sent tuners but they don't fit! the shaft is too big for the hole in the key head. so now I have a very nice Franklin guitar with no tuning keys! did Sperzel change the size of the rod? Is there another brand I should be looking at? I should mention my guitar has a small hole next to the main shaft hole where a pin on the tuner goes and the Sperzel's have a small pin on their tuners tat is supposed to fit in there. Ive been told that the pin is a tight fit but I can't even seem to get the main shaft thru the key head. any advice greatly appreciated. I have also emailed Sperzel. pics attached

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Emmons, Franklin, Mullen

Karen Sarkisian · From: Boston, MA, USA

also any way to get rid of the scratch in the first photo?
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Emmons, Franklin, Mullen

Jerry Overstreet · From: Louisville Ky

There have been many discussions about these old Sperzels. You can find them in a search here including a couple of mine on an old Zum. Never had any luck finding any real sources.

Last I heard, there is no direct replacement for these. Some modifications have to be made.

Might check with Kelcey at Emmons/Resound for a source. I believe I remember him stating that Gotoh machines may have a drop in fit for these.

Karen Sarkisian · From: Boston, MA, USA

Ok thank you will check
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Emmons, Franklin, Mullen

Bobby D. Jones · From: West Virginia, USA

The standard shaft size for tuning keys in the USA for years was 3/8" (.375).
On the new world market Key shafts are 10mm -(.0393)- (25/64").

I think some USA Companies still make 3/8" (.375) Shaft tuners for replacement, You must check close, When ordering. Check shaft diameter carefully.

I had 2 Grovers tuners strip about 10 years ago on a MSA S10 Classic, My gigging guitar at time.
I ordered new Grover tuners, When they came they were 10mm. I had to drill out both key head bars to 25/64". To get the guitar together for weekend gigging.

Dan Beller-McKenna · From: Durham, New Hampshire, USA

Michael Yahl is selling Carter keyheads loaded with Sperzels. It might be worth buying one of these just for the tuners IF someone can verify they are the right size for your Franklin. I suspect they are.

Here's a link.

Mike DiAlesandro · From: Kent, Ohio

Karen,

Sperzels have a lifetime warranty, they are based here in Ohio, Cleveland to be exact.

If you ship the tuners to them they will refurbish them for free.

Sounds like a good option to keep your Franklin original.

Mike D Smile

Dave Diehl · From: Mechanicsville, MD, USA

I bought two sets of Sperzel keys about a year ago. That style is made in a couple different sizes. When they took your order they should have discussed that with you... they did me. May call them back and talk with them and see if you can return them for the right size. But make sure you have all the specs you need before calling them. I found the folks there to be real helpful.

Karen Sarkisian · From: Boston, MA, USA

ok yeah I did speak to them re size and they told me they would fit. I will try them again on Monday and also check out Dans link. thanks guys
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Emmons, Franklin, Mullen

Jerry Overstreet · From: Louisville Ky

So, does anybody know the correct stock number for direct replacements for these old Sperzels that will drop in old guitars that used them?

There are a lot of early 80s era Sho-Buds, Zumsteel, Emmons SKH and others that had these installed.

It would be nice if Sperzel or anyone else would just tell us what set to buy so that everybody doesn't have to go through this every time.

Karen Sarkisian · From: Boston, MA, USA

Jon Jaffe · From: Austin, Texas

Sperzel USA
15728 Industrial Parkway
Cleveland, Ohio 44135
Phone: (216) 281-6868
Fax: (216) 281-6810

Karen Sarkisian · From: Boston, MA, USA

can someone recommend the correct drill bit or tool to make the key head holes larger? Im pretty handy but need advice on how to do it!
thanks!
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Emmons, Franklin, Mullen

J D Sauser · From: Wellington, Florida

Bobby D. Jones · From: West Virginia, USA

I would contact Sperzel direct and see if they can replace the keys, With proper diameter replacement keys, As suggested by Mr. DiAlesandro.

When you are going to work on a Steel Guitar.
No.1 tool in tool kit is a dial caliper. So you can accurately measure screws, Rods and such to within .001.

.018 is not apparent to the human eyes. Just by looking at difference between 3/8" (.375), and 10mm (.0393) shafts. With your eyes, Or person on other ends eyes, You are dealing with.

If the holes have to be drilled out to install new larger tuners. A drill press and a drill press vise would be needed. Align each hole in key head with 3/8" rod or drill in chuck, Lock down vice. Then install a 25/64" or 10mm drill in chuck and enlarge holes 1 at a time.

Karen Sarkisian · From: Boston, MA, USA

Ok thanks. Will contact sperzel on monday
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Emmons, Franklin, Mullen

Bill Duncan · From: Lenoir, North Carolina, USA

Get a 10mm straight reamer to open up the holes. Do NOT use a spiral bit or reamer. With a straight reamer it will be relatively simple. Amazon has them.
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You can observe a lot just by looking

Ron Pruter · From: Arizona, USA

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Emmons SKH Le Grande, '73 Fender P/J bass, Tick tack bass, Regal high strung, USA Nashville 112.

Karen Sarkisian · From: Boston, MA, USA

So apparently the Sperzels have always been 10mm and according to PF his father had to machine the sperzels to fit the keyhead. i dont want to take the keyhead off the guitar so if theres any 3/8" tuning keys that could fit in my guitar please let me know. is it possible to machine the holes or easier to do the keys?
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Emmons, Franklin, Mullen

Tom Jordan · From: Wichita, KS

Hi Karen,

Yep, I've had to replace Sperzels on old guitars and you do need to pry, prod and extract information Smile

If it were me, I'd ream the keyhead as Bill Duncan suggests and be done with it. That way, should you need to repace a tuner in the future, it is already to go ( if you're still using the Sperzels).

The mystery to me is why was each machine head "machined" vs just drilling the keyhead to the size of the keys being used? Retorical question...

Good luck,

Tom

Karen Sarkisian · From: Boston, MA, USA

thanks Tom
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Emmons, Franklin, Mullen

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