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I have an El Degas Tele, and pieces of it have failed over time. The pickups have gone microphonic, the pots have all gone bad, and now three of the tuners won't hold pitch. I've replaced all of the electronics and pickups, but in doing so I discovered that the original pickguard, control plate, and bridge were all non-standard size and wouldn't accept standard Fender replacement parts like pickups and pickguards. I've managed to put together a working guitar, and I love the neck and body. Now I just want to know if anyone has been through a tuner replacement. Are the holes and spacing on 70's Japanese El Degas "Fenders" standard, or am I going to go through hell again if I buy standard Kluson or Schaller tuners?


Thanks,

Jim

I've heard people have had luck with a Japanese maker like Gotoh for that stuff.

Being of Asian manufacture, most El Degas stuff is metric spacing. Going with import parts usually works the best. USA parts will be a pain to work with, as you've found.

What Charles said. Metric is your friend!
Gotoh hardware was commonly found on many of the top MIJ instruments made in Japan then, and today. You won't "go to" far wrong with this brand.