Thunder 1: Original machine heads (winders) need replacement

Hi everyone,

I have a Thunder 1, a red Concord II and a black Thunder Jet....probably all because of this site! 
So thanks for the inspiration and thanks to all who keep the site running!
I expect in 2024, 2034...2054, when I will have played my last blues lick, these guitars will be worth a lot more....

Anyway, just wondering where I might buy some original Westone logo-ed machine-heads for my Thunder 1 (it would appear to be a 1984 model according to the date info provided on the site) 
I love this guitar for its great wood tones and its very appealing 'GT stripe'.
I want to keep it all original - if there can be such a thing when continuing to use a functioning 30 year old guitar.

Your help will be appreciated...

You won't get them unless secondhand.
There's two types, you'll have to put a pic. up.
Whats wrong with yours?

Here's some photos...
Winders for the 2nd and 1st strings have become loose. I'm assuming the internals are worn and that there's no way to adjust them) They don't hold string tension for long.

Some ideas on where to buy/replace them (from others on this site?) would be great.

You'll notice some little screws on the end of the tuner.
Nip them up, not super tight just enough to take up the play. Worth a try.

I tried that and the strings remain in tune - so far.
I should have looked more closely - seems an obvious fix...

Thanks!

Also check the nuts on the shaft for "snugness"...but do not over tighten.

In order for machines heads to work properly they need to be solidly attached to the headstock. In other words, both horizontally (the small screws on the end of the buttons) and vertically (the hex nuts on the shaft).

Over time, they can loosen up and periodically need a simple re-seating. The Westone heads are of good quality and rarely fail mechanically. The important thing is to not over tighten anything. That will likely cause a failure, and make turning the shaft difficult.


Edit: Also check the tiny screws on the back of the headstock. They also help hold the unit snugly in the correct position on the headstock, as well as counteracting the torque from the string winding preventing it from rotating.

Sounds very sensible and wholistic...I was looking to replace them when really they probably just need adjustment. Will wait and watch to see if they remain in tune.

By the way, what's the main difference between the Thunder 1A and Thunder ?
Noticeably different in terms of tone options?

Thanks again.

A=Active circuit .
The execution varies from version to version, but the end result is what really puts the BOOM in the Thunder. 

Do a search on our web site (link is top of this page in the menu) and you'll see lots of  info.
Even without it the Thunder is a great player, with a variety of tones depending on the woods used etc.