Custom Guitar Tuners - Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag
In this episode, luthier Robbie O’Brien visits VS Tuners in Brazil and shows how custom high-end tuners are made.
Video Transcription
[on-screen text reads: Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag]
Mailbag question: What is your favorite brand of tuner?
Robert O'Brien: Today's Tips du Jour Mailbag question comes to us from France. "Robert, I have never heard you talk about tuners. Do you have a favorite brand or type of tuner? Lucas in France."
Well, Lucas, just like rosettes or peghead shapes, the types of tuners used on an instrument is a good way to distinguish your instrument from other builders' instruments. And I've used a lot of different varieties of tuners over the years, from entry-level all the way up into high-end custom models. Visit LMI's website and you'll see a long list of all different types of brands of tuners. Recently, I visited a friend of mine in Brazil that makes high-end custom tuners. Here's a bit of footage about what it takes to make a high-end custom tuner.
Interview with Vitor Scatena from VS Tuners
Hi, Robert O'Brien from O'Brien Guitars. I'm here in Sorocaba in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, with Vitor Scatena. How are you, sir?
Vitor Scatena: [Portuguese].
Robert: [Portuguese]. A lot of times when we build guitars, we think about the guitar itself, but guitar tuners, tuning machines, have to be made as well. And Vitor is an expert. He makes custom tuning machines for guitars. So, Vitor [Portuguese]. [On-screen text reads: So Vitor, explain to us a bit about the process of making tuners].
Vitor: [Portuguese]. [On-screen text reads: Well, I build them a bit differently than mass produced tuners. They are crafted tuners and I emphasize customization. Each piece is unique.].
Robert: [Portuguese]. [On-screen text reads: You start with a solid block of brass]?
Vitor: [Portuguese]. [On-screen text reads: Yes, I start with a solid block. This one is partially machined. This is the main difference in my process. The pieces are machined individually].
Robert: [Portuguese]. [On-screen text reads: Instead of pieces put together it is an individual piece]?
Vitor: [Portuguese]. [On-screen text reads: Yes, one piece. Other types of tuners in the market are injected or cast. I prefer to machine them out of solid blocks. In terms of precision it is better and the piece is more durable as well. So, I start by machining the brass block, then it gets polished, plated and then put together].
Robert: [Portuguese]. [On-screen text reads: What about the engraving]?
Vitor: [Portuguese]. [On-screen text reads: The engraving is a new part of the process. There is not a lot of customizing of tuners available in the market. A good friend of ours, Rodrigo, does the engraving. His main focus is the firearm and cutlery industries. By engraving the tuners we can offer a truly custom piece to each client. I think this is really cool.
Robert: [Portuguese]. [On-screen text reads: After engraving, what is the next step]?
Vitor: [Portuguese]. [On-screen text reads: To even get to the engraving stage the piece has to be ready. I have already machined and polished it].
Robert: [Portuguese]. [On-screen text reads: You already made the knobs]?
Vitor: [Portuguese]. [On-screen text reads: Yes, the piece has been put through a thermal galvanizing process].
Robert: [Portuguese]. [On-screen text reads: And the last thing then is the engraving]?
Vitor: [Portuguese]. [On-screen text reads: Yes, the engraving and then the last thing is it goes to the bench to be put together].
Robert: [Portuguese]. [On-screen text reads: All done by hand]?
Vitor: [Portuguese]. [On-screen text reads: Yes, all by hand. I also test the pieces. That's the idea, to make a truly custom tuner that is different than what is available in the market today].
Robert: [Portuguese]. [On-screen text reads: Congratulations!].
Vitor: [Portuguese]. [On-screen text reads: Thank you].
Robert: [Portuguese]. [On-screen text reads: I think that Vitor's work is very beautiful. He and his father here in the shop doing everything custom one at a time. And if you... Why am I speaking Portuguese? I should be speaking English to the camera].
So, if you ever find yourself in Sorocaba, Brazil, be sure and drop by VS Tuners and see Vitor and his father. They do all of these tuners all by themselves, and it's a very beautiful, artistic, manual work that they do.
Robert: [Portuguese]. [On-screen text reads: Thank you very much Vitor].
Vitor: [Portuguese]. [On-screen text reads: I thank you for visiting. Come back often. We are here to serve. Thank you].
Robert: So, as you can see, Lucas, there's a lot involved in making a set of tuners. Now, which tuner is right for you depends on your market, and how much you want to spend. And happy building.
[on-screen text reads: More Luthier Tips and online courses available at www.obrienguitars.com. Private and small group guitar building and finishing instruction available.]
