Introduction
In order for a guitar to sound good it will need tuned from time to time. If you have ever walked into a music shop then there is an abundance of tuner guitar tools. But what are the tools and how do they work? This article is going to explain what the tools are, what they are used for, and how each one works.
Winder
If you have ever changed tuner guitar strings then you are well aware of the task and how complicated it can be winding them. That is why there is a string winder that can be taken anywhere. This little tool has a mounting pin that is attached to a level that can spin when the handle is turned. Just sit the string winder on the tuner guitar and start turning the handle. The string is no match and tightens up so easily and nicely.
Reamer
When looking at the tuner guitar look at the tuner post. If there is metal around those posts it is a bushing. The bushing is what helps to make the proper spacing and hold the posts in place. Otherwise everything would be flopping all over and there would not be any playing the guitar.
If you look at the peg hole you will notice the bushings are only about half way down. Instead of trying to miss with a drill in hopes that everything is done correctly a bushing reamer is used. In order for the bushing to stay upright the peg hole is counterbored. Then a little lacquer is added under the bushing which will give it even that much more support as the strings are being played.
Tuner Press
While looking at your tuner guitar you will notice that it appears they are pressed right into the peg holes. It is the bushing that is sitting sung in the peg hole that gives this false impression. If you need to replace the bushings the last things you want to do is try and insert them with a hammer. A hammer is going to damage your guitar and then it will need to go see a professional in order to get properly fixed.
A bushing press is used for properly installing each bushing. When looking at the device it looks just like a vise grip except the jaws have a special fitting on them. It is the jaw with the flat edge that is going to rest against your headstock. This keeps the headstock from receiving any damage. The jaw that goes over the bushing has a fixture that will slip right over the top of it. Now squeeze the grips until the bushing lip is resting on the headstock.
Even though the tool is nice to have and very simple to use you might be on a tight budget and just not able to afford one. So go to the garage and grab one of your C-clamps and some plexi-glass. The plexi-glass will go between the jaws and the guitar in order to help with extra protection. Just line the bushing up and start turning your C-clamp until the lip is resting on the headstock.
