*Reference key below, and you may also click on the drop down menu to view photos of the different styles.
Traditional rear-facing ukulele tuners are what they call "friction". This means that their ability to hold tune depends on the friction or tightness of the screw in the tuner. If you tighten the screw too much, it's hard to turn and tune, too loose and it turns easy, but also will slip out of tune. Also with the old-style friction key, there is no gear ratio, so small turns will make big changes in the pitch of your string. The UPT's are geared tuners. The pitch will be held by gears, and these gears have a 4 to 1 ratio so fine-tuning is much easier to dial in or adjust. These are built extremely lightweight and with top-notch components. We guarantee you will love these on your new ukulele.
UPT Tuner FAQ (from JAPARTS.CA)
Regarding string post length: There is an optional longer string post (UPTL) for headstocks with a thickness of 11.5 mm or more. There is no difference in price. Please measure your ukulele carefully before ordering.
Will these fit my ukulele? If you are replacing friction pegs you will almost certainly need to have the peg holes re-bored. We can do that on ukuleles ordered from our website The diameter should be 9.7-10mm or just a bit wider than 3/8". With regard to headstock thickness (see above) you'll need to measure your headstock.
Do I need to tighten the screws like friction pegs? Yes and no. Let's start with the no: You probably won't need to make any kind of adjustment. But on the off-chance that you do (you'll know - the post would un-wind from string tension) it's easy to tighten to the right amount of tension. This brings us to the yes: Technically, the planetary gear is engaged by the screw that holds the button in place. Unlike friction pegs, there is a very wide range of "works well".
Reference Key for Understanding the Model Names:
UPT/UPTL : Indicates whether the body of the tuner is short or long
UB( ) : Indicates what type of tuning button.
-UB4(x) - Bell Shaped Button (i.e. UB4N- natural)
-UB7 = Pearl Button
-UBN = Natural Button
-UBB = Black Button
-UB8 = Bronzish Button
Characters after the - : Indicates what type of body (Ex. -G = Gold Body, CW = Chrome Body)
Tuning a ukulele with UPT planetary tuners is a pleasant experience.
(JAPARTS.CA)
Click here for the UPT/UPTL Shcematic Diagram
Top customer reviews
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These fit 2012 Kamaka Tenor (HF-3) peg holes without reaming. 0 people found this helpfulRE: Gotoh UPTL Tuners, I ordered these to replace the original and troublesome Schaller guitar style tuners on my Kamaka Tenor (HF-3), manufactured in January 2012. I expected to have to ream the peg holes, but surprisingly, the holes are big enough without any additional widening. I did have to notch a tiny area of the hole for the very, VERY small gripping spike, but I used a narrow Xacto-type razor blade craft knife for that. There really should be TWO spikes on the tuners, in my opinion. However, everything fits, even though these UPTL tuners, the longer version, seem a bit short; my Kamaka's headstock is a half inch thick. One complaint I have is that the tuner post is rather small, and that means the hole that the string passes through is smaller than the hole on the guitar style tuners. Therefore, some heavier strings can not be run twice through the hole, as some of us like to do. As to tuning, so far, so good. Very quick (a little slower would be preferred, actually) and they seem to hold tune. I haven't had them long enough to describe durability. They look good, but as a retrofit they don't conceal the tiny screw holes left from removing the original tuners. One can fill the screw holes with filler or wood putty from a luthier supply shop, a toothpick, etc., or just leave them as is. The holes are barely noticeable. FWIW, my Kamaka has only one tiny screw hole per original tuner. The little washer-like trim rings that appear on the face of the headstock are smaller than the original items, so a change to these tuners may allow indentations from the original trim rings to show. Again, not a big concern and the indentations are noticeable only if you look for them. These are pricey compared to guitar style tuners, but, overall, they look good, fit, and seem to work, even if they are a bit quick. I considered the pricey Waverly friction tuners that use a loaded spring, and those are likely higher quality, but these are priced a bit less and have gears. I hope they last. FWIW, my Kamaka is a golden Koa, so I bought the gold tuned bodies with the white Pearloid buttons. The buttons are actually quite similar to the buttons on the original tuners. On another note, it took about an hour to remove the old tuners and install the Gotohs on my Kamaka, but I was slow and careful. I would have rated these tuners higher if the posts had been thicker, with more standard-sized (larger) holes, and if they'd had two spikes on the tuner bodies. I like them, but they could have been better. Unfortunately, there aren't a lot of competitors manufacturing geared ukulele pegs. I wish Waverly would make some!
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Easier tuning 0 people found this helpfulI replaced the stock tuners that came on my Pono soprano, and it now tunes up and stays in tune, like a dream. I had to purchase a reamer from a luthier supply company, and the reamed holes took the UPTs perfectly. I have a 1960s baritone made by Favilla, and a soprano made by Harmony (my first ukulele...in 1962). I'm going to order UPTs for them both.
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Favorite tuner EVER! 0 people found this helpfulHad these put on my Gretsch 9110SM when ordered. These are super easy to fine tune, hold great, and look really good. I love them so much I'm having them put on my Cordoba and Gretsch tenors as well. I think it just adds to a classic look for a ukulele.
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Amazing Difference! 0 people found this helpfulI personally replaced the stock Schallers on my Kamaka HF-2 recently. I can't say enough about how much better they are compared to the Schallers. They are more than worth every penny of the cost, and if you have them installed by HMS on a new purchase you'll not be sorry. I'm just bummed because they're out of the Ivoroids right now. I need another set for my HF-1 !