Deedee Posted July 15, 2016 Share Posted July 15, 2016 (edited) Does anyone have any tips or tricks on the best method of removing stubborn machine head ferrules? I'm in the process of changing mine on my Fender P and they really don't want to budge 😡. The new Wilkinson tuners that I'm fitting are a little too slack to use with the original ferrules. Edited July 15, 2016 by Deedee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franzbassist Posted July 15, 2016 Share Posted July 15, 2016 (edited) Put a piece of dowel, that fits the hole well, in from the other side and tap out gently with a hammer. Edited July 15, 2016 by walbassist Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grangur Posted July 15, 2016 Share Posted July 15, 2016 I find a 20mm socket fits neatly in the hole from the other side. A couple of taps with the palm of the hand and the ferule drops out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deedee Posted July 15, 2016 Author Share Posted July 15, 2016 The problem is the ferrule is flush with the wood I.e. the outer peg hole has been rebated to take the ferrule. Therefore the ferrule doesn't protrude so there's no visible edge to knock on to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muppet Posted July 15, 2016 Share Posted July 15, 2016 [quote name='Deedee' timestamp='1468585988' post='3091956'] The problem is the ferrule is flush with the wood I.e. the outer peg hole has been rebated to take the ferrule. Therefore the ferrule doesn't protrude so there's no visible edge to knock on to. [/quote] I've had one like that before. I used a tapered piece of dowel, a bit like one of those gauges Jewellers use for sizing rings. It fitted inside the ferrule and a gentle knock with a rubber mallet was enough to dislodge it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norris Posted July 15, 2016 Share Posted July 15, 2016 As Grangur says tap the dowel in from the rear of the headstock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grangur Posted July 15, 2016 Share Posted July 15, 2016 [quote name='Norris' timestamp='1468594835' post='3092043'] As Grangur says tap the dowel in from the rear of the headstock [/quote] Exactly. Don't go digging under the rim of the ferrule - you;ll wreck the surface of the wood. Take the tuner off, turn the neck over and the ferrule will be deep in the hole. Simply slide the knocking device into the hole - it should be about 19mm diameter. it will then sit on top of the back of the ferrule. Then tap the knocking stick. There's a lot of things that will work. I've even done it with the blade of a large screwdriver - not ideal as it might damage the top of the edge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deedee Posted July 16, 2016 Author Share Posted July 16, 2016 As I previously stated, there is no accessible 'back' of the ferrules as they are flush with the wood I.e. the diameter of the hole in the back of the headstock is equal to the internal diameter of the ferrules - they are flush! Anyhoo, panic over as the perceived slack when offering the new Wilkinson tuners up into the existing ferrules wasn't as bad as I first thought. Fitted them and played with the bass tonight and they worked a treat, nice and smooth and precise. Cheers all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norris Posted July 16, 2016 Share Posted July 16, 2016 Ah the ferrules are rebated. That would make them more awkward to remove. Glad the new tuners fit ok then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grangur Posted July 16, 2016 Share Posted July 16, 2016 Totally confused - never see them like that. Pleased it worked out ok though; that's what matters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Immo Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 I had a similar problem and the replacement ferrules were a tad too wide, so I gently ground the holes to enlarge them. Of course, my hand slipped once or twice and now the ferrules are sitting loose enough to be pressed out by the string tension that pulls the tuner pegs towards the bridge. I will try to use a two part epoxy putty (and/or two part epoxy glue) to fill the holes again and fix this as I'm really not in the mood for filling and re-drilling the holes. Anyone tried this method? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alyctes Posted August 27, 2016 Share Posted August 27, 2016 I'd try ice cube on the ferrule, maybe in clingfilm to stop water getting on the wood. That might shrink it enough to loosen it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grangur Posted August 28, 2016 Share Posted August 28, 2016 [quote name='Immo' timestamp='1471521338' post='3113624'] I had a similar problem and the replacement ferrules were a tad too wide, so I gently ground the holes to enlarge them. Of course, my hand slipped once or twice and now the ferrules are sitting loose enough to be pressed out by the string tension that pulls the tuner pegs towards the bridge. I will try to use a two part epoxy putty (and/or two part epoxy glue) to fill the holes again and fix this as I'm really not in the mood for filling and re-drilling the holes. Anyone tried this method? [/quote] I'd try wrapping some tape round the ferrule to increase the size a bit and see if that holds it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neepheid Posted August 29, 2016 Share Posted August 29, 2016 Press fit ferrules are the work of the devil, I really dislike them. If I'm build/upgrading something myself then it's screw fit all the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.