the Fly Clone Project

Hi all, hoping I can access the hive mind and get some reliable info.

I recently acquired a 2014 Parker PDF (70, I think). Pretty much mint condition, but one of the tuning machines is slipping. Took it to my luthier, who diagnosed the problem and suggested that I get a replacement. So, two questions:

-- What locking tuners did Parker use in the later model PDFs?

-- If those are not readily available, what drop in replacements could I buy so I don't have to drill a new hole?

And, of course, if anyone has a couple to sell...

ilanberman wrote: ↑Sat Sep 14, 2024 3:29 pm Hi all, hoping I can access the hive mind and get some reliable info.

I recently acquired a 2014 Parker PDF (70, I think). Pretty much mint condition, but one of the tuning machines is slipping. Took it to my luthier, who diagnosed the problem and suggested that I get a replacement. So, two questions:

-- What locking tuners did Parker use in the later model PDFs?

-- If those are not readily available, what drop in replacements could I buy so I don't have to drill a new hole?

And, of course, if anyone has a couple to sell...

Hi @ilanberman ,

In the more pricey pdf range (pdf 100s) they use sperzel tuners so I think just locking sperzel should do the job.

I'm having the same issue with a PDF80. I know the PDF100 models came with the Sperzel tuners but I'm a bit confused on which ones to get and if they will work. I'm ok with drilling the hole for the Sperzel, but there is a small screw on the back of the existing tuners and I'm not sure if the Sperzel will cover any locating hole or screw hole from these existing tuners. Also I'm not sure if I need to get staggered or not. My Fly Classic from 1996 doesn't appear to have staggered (post heights are all the same and very short), but Sperzel mentions needing staggered for guitars with a flat headstock like Strats and this headstock is flat. But of course there are no spring trees like with a Strat.

Sperzel on PDF100
Standard Locking on PDF60

You don't need staggered ones because the headstock tilts back at an angle. Traditional inline headstocks (Fender) didn't, and "3 on a side" (Gibson) did, so you often hear that inline headstocks need staggered tuners. Modern guitars needn't follow these conventions.

So, get non-staggered ones. I actually prefer a set with the tallest posts Sperzel makes. This reduces the break angle at the nut for better tuning stability with trem use. I've had no issues with Sperzel's "pinless" models. They don't use a pin, just a little spike that grabs the wood to keep the tuner from rotation.

I don't remember about the hole; my PDF80 is in another state at the moment...

Thank you for the information.

The ones I am looking at show the pinless in the photo but the text description mentions the pin. I think I will buy them and hope that the screw hole on the original tuner is covered.

lemmy999 wrote: ↑Sun Nov 24, 2024 12:14 am I'm having the same issue with a PDF80. I know the PDF100 models came with the Sperzel tuners but I'm a bit confused on which ones to get and if they will work. I'm ok with drilling the hole for the Sperzel, but there is a small screw on the back of the existing tuners and I'm not sure if the Sperzel will cover any locating hole or screw hole from these existing tuners. Also I'm not sure if I need to get staggered or not. My Fly Classic from 1996 doesn't appear to have staggered (post heights are all the same and very short), but Sperzel mentions needing staggered for guitars with a flat headstock like Strats and this headstock is flat. But of course there are no spring trees like with a Strat.

Sperzel on PDF100

sperz.jpg

Standard Locking on PDF60

pdf80.jpg

Are the tuners on the PDF 60 locking? I don't see the locking mechanism. I'm not trying to point out anything wrong, only to gain knowledge.

alembicman5 wrote: ↑Sun Nov 24, 2024 10:44 am

lemmy999 wrote: ↑Sun Nov 24, 2024 12:14 am I'm having the same issue with a PDF80. I know the PDF100 models came with the Sperzel tuners but I'm a bit confused on which ones to get and if they will work. I'm ok with drilling the hole for the Sperzel, but there is a small screw on the back of the existing tuners and I'm not sure if the Sperzel will cover any locating hole or screw hole from these existing tuners. Also I'm not sure if I need to get staggered or not. My Fly Classic from 1996 doesn't appear to have staggered (post heights are all the same and very short), but Sperzel mentions needing staggered for guitars with a flat headstock like Strats and this headstock is flat. But of course there are no spring trees like with a Strat.

Sperzel on PDF100

sperz.jpg

Standard Locking on PDF60

pdf80.jpg

Are the tuners on the PDF 60 locking? I don't see the locking mechanism. I'm not trying to point out anything wrong, only to gain knowledge.

Yes they are. That silver part on the back is the back of the locking wheel. If you click on the image I posted it gets larger and you can see the black locking wheel with the knurled edges. But the locking mechanism on the treble E tuner doesn't hold the string well enough and it slips. Also the tuner tightens the string ok, but seems to slip and not work when it isn't under load. So if you are unwinding the treble E, you have to pull on the string to keep tension on it.

I have read the Gotoh tuners are very high quality and they appear to have a screw in the same location as the stock tuners on the PDF80/60. I will have to take some precise measurements, but this might be the best option. I can get them in staggered 18.5/20mm or non-staggered 20mm post length.

I see now. Thanks for the additional information.