Rubner Tuning Machines 101

Why Did We Choose Rubner Tuning Machines?

Our mission at All Strings Nylon is to provide our customers with high quality products that won’t break the bank. As a natural consequence, when selecting a tuning machines vendor, we zeroed in on Thomas Rubner GmbH — a German family-owned and operated company with a 150-year tradition of manufacturing high quality, beautiful tuning machines at affordable prices.

What makes Rubner tuning machines stand out:

• Solid brass construction with stainless steel gears to ensure durability
• ElringKlinger Moldflon anti-friction bearings to prolong your machines’ life and provide you with a superb tuning experience
• Superior workmanship and attention to detail to ensure lasting quality and beauty
• Large selection of elegant plates, handles and rollers to meet a wide range of aesthetic tastes and needs

How to Select a Set of Rubner Tuning Machines?

With the wide variety of available designs, Rubner tuning machines will meet your needs whether you are looking for something very simple and understated, or something stunning.

Plate Shapes

There are 5 Rubner tuning machine plate shapes available for classical guitars:

Each Hauser-style and straight set consists of 1 plate with 3 treble side machines and 1 plate with 3 bass side machines. Sets for 7+ string guitars can be custom made, or you can choose the desired number of single machines in any available style. Single machines also come in handy when you require non-standard roller spacing. Stauffer style units are made for 6-string Romantic guitars with Stauffer-style heads.

Plate Colors

All Rubner tuning machine plates are made of solid brass, but you are NOT limited to its golden color. All Rubner single machines and Stauffers offer the following 3 color choices:

In addition, Hauser style and straight plates in the Rubner Vintage series offer 2 extra color choices:

Plate Engravings

All Rubner Stauffer-style headplates come fully engraved, and all Rubner single machine plates come smooth. Hauser style and straight plates offer the following 3 engraving choices:

No engraving:

Edge only engraving:

Full engraving:

While engraving does not affect the color of the golden and silver plates, on black plates the golden color of the brass will show through for an added stunning effect.

In addition to full engraving, the Rubner Luxury series models also feature hammered edges (not pictured here).

Sleeve Options

The sleeve is the metal part that covers the shaft between the worm gear and the handle.

Roller Options

Most Rubner tuning machines for classical guitars and ukuleles come with plastic rollers, which are very adequate for nylon string instruments. The one exception is the Stauffer series which comes equipped with metal rollers. To celebrate the company’s 150^th anniversary, the brand new Rubner Superior Rollers were introduced in 2014, for a total of 6 roller options available for Hauser-style and straight sets, as well as single machines:

Tuning machines with ivoroid handles also receive ivoroid rollers. Otherwise, roller color is a matter of your preference, and PVC rollers can be easily replaced.

And what is so…superior about the Superior Rollers? — Equipped with Moldflon anti-friction bearings as standard, Rubner Superior Series tuning machines provide further increased precision, smoothness, and durability thanks to the innovative end bearings mounted on the roller shafts. In addition, machine sets equipped with Superior Rollers offer outstanding aesthetics thanks to optional ornamental wood or mother of pearl inlays matching the handles.

Handle Choices

Handles provide the final touch that can enhance the appearance of any complete set of tuning machines. Many Rubner models, including Stauffers, come with either black or white plastic handles that look more attractive than you might expect. Other options include ivoroid handles, as well as handles made from a number of various light and dark woods. If you want to go for broke, you can even special order a set with real mother of pearl handles — either white or black. For details, see the complete chart of available handle options: