jt80 - Posted - 03/28/2026:  13:58:51

I just picked up a set of used five star tuners, and they’re in good shape except a couple of them have nuts that are a little boogered up.

These are the hollow nuts that go on top of the peghead around the string shaft. 



Is it possible to get ahold of just the nuts somewhere? I don’t see them listed on stew Mac.

Edited by - jt80 on 03/28/2026 14:00:02

DHutchens - Posted - 03/28/2026:  16:29:24

Contact Jay Hoffstetter at Stu Mac and I'm sure he can help.

Bob Smakula - Posted - 03/29/2026:  17:16:20

quote:

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Originally posted by DHutchens

Contact Jay Hoffstetter at Stu Mac and I'm sure he can help.

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Jay retired from Stewart-Macdonald  a few years ago and now does woodworking projects in his home workshop. I don't think he will be able to help with the replacement nuts.

Bob Smakula

smakulafrettedinstruments.com

jt80 - Posted - 03/30/2026:  09:38:48

quote:

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Originally posted by Bob Smakula

quote:

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Originally posted by DHutchens

Contact Jay Hoffstetter at Stu Mac and I'm sure he can help.

---

Jay retired from Stewart-Macdonald  a few years ago and now does woodworking projects in his home workshop. I don't think he will be able to help with the replacement nuts.

Bob Smakula

smakulafrettedinstruments.com

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Closest I've found online so far is your store listing the replacements for Gotohs.



I'll send a message to stew mac today just in case they can help me.



I'm guessing this kind of thing isn't carried by mcmaster, etc.

DHutchens - Posted - 03/30/2026:  10:36:39

Thanks Bob. I didn't know Jay had retired.

banjoT1 - Posted - 03/30/2026:  15:00:37

I haven't undertaken a deep dive into the nut/thread specifications but those sorts of tuning machine nuts are commonly found with electrical/electronics-type of toggle switches - even audio plug-in sockets. If I were the one doing the fetching I'd stop by an electronics and/or guitar repair shop and ask if they have a (___ "like this one"___) in their junk drawer.

Old Hickory - Posted - 03/30/2026:  15:26:19

There are several different types available on eBay.

These are packaged by Fender. I think they'remade by Schaller.

Two challenges in searching for these: (1) The barrel lengths vary (you can tell from the photos). But not all tell you what length they are. Maybe most don't. Been a while since I bought any. (2) The ones you can buy are likely metric. I have no idea what the 5-Star originals are.

Old Hickory - Posted - 03/30/2026:  15:33:20

Here's a listing for some you can buy individually. Price listed is for one. Available in nickel and all the measurements are given, including the threading.  Scroll down to read everything.

You can take one of your tuner bushings to a hardware store and use the thread tester in the fasteners aisle.

jt80 - Posted - 03/31/2026:  08:18:12

An update, I contacted Stewmac through the "ask a question about our product" form on the product page, and they got right back to me. They're taking excellent care of this, beyond my expectations, through Devin. It's great to know that Stewmac has retained it's good customer service through all of their growth.