Rowan Custom Guitars > Guitar Care

Various tuners are used with Rowan Guitars. Follow these instructions and your tuning machines will provide years of trouble free service.

Setup Tips: Sperzel & Schaller Tuning Machines
When re-stringing your guitar please follow the instructions below:

Loosen string tension. (No more than two strings at a time on tremolo units.)
Loosen locking wheel on bottom of tuner by turning it counter clockwise to retract the internal pin that locks the string in the tuner. Back the lock off until you feel resistance then STOP. Forcing the locking wheel further will cause DAMAGE to the tuner and is not required to remove or replace the string.
Remove string from the tuner post.
Align the hole in the tuner post so that its centerline is running parallel with the guitar neck. Thread the new string through the hole in the tuner post and pull it tight. While holding the string taught, tighten the locking wheel by turning it clockwise until it contacts the string. Apply only enough force to LIGHTLY lock the string in the post. Applying excess force is NOT REQUIRED to lock the string and will deform the string to the point where it will become difficult to remove later or in the worst case will cut the string.
Tune to pitch.

Setup Tips: Gotoh Tuning Machines
When re-stringing your guitar please follow the instructions below:

Gotoh Tuning Machines are unique in that they do not use a thumbscrew to lock the string in the post of the tuner. The slotted top of the tuner post is made with an internal thread and is screwed to the internal locking pin in the post of the tuner.
To string the guitar, simply place the string through the hole in the post and begin turning the tuner knob until the string begins to wind around the post. It will automatically tighten as you continue to tune to pitch.
To loosen the string: Back the tension off a couple of turns. Place a dime in the slot at the top of the tuner to stop its rotation. Continue to turn the tuner knob until the string unlocks and can be removed from the post of the tuner.
These tuners have a 16:1 ratio and will require quite a few turns to loosen and/or tighten.