Kluson Manufacturing Company
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Musical instrument parts manufacturing |
| Founded | 1925 in Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Founder | John Kluson |
| Defunct | 1981 |
| Fate | Closed in 1981; brand revived in 1994 by WD Music Products |
| Successor | WD Music Products (brand owner since 1994) |
| Headquarters | North Fort Myers , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Larry Davis (brand owner since 1994) |
| Products | Tuning machines, tailpieces, bridges, tuning machine bushings, pickguard brackets, other musical instrument hardware |
| Parent | WD Music Products |
The Kluson Manufacturing Company, established in 1925, was a prominent producer of musical instrument tuning machines.
Origin
John Kluson founded the company in Chicago in 1925, focusing on tuners for string instruments. It became a principal supplier for Gibson Guitar Corporation, as well as serving notable clients like Fender, Martin, and Rickenbacker.
In 1976, Gibson ceased using Kluson tuners, opting instead for models from Schaller. Despite this loss, Kluson remained operational until it closed its doors in 1981.
Revival
Larry Davis of WD Music Products acquired the Kluson brand in 1994, revitalizing its product range and restoring relationships with previous customers such as Gibson and Fender. Presently, WD Music Products, headquartered in North Fort Myers, Florida, manufactures Kluson tuning machines in Korea. The brand was also briefly licensed to TonePro Sound Labs Int'l, which produced a diecast version of the classic Kluson tuners.
Original reissues
Kluson has redesigned many of its original product lines, offering enhanced versions of stamped steel tuning machines, #9 tailpieces, Waffleback tuners, and banjo tuners for the Gibson Firebird.
Expansion
In addition to reissues, Kluson broadened its offerings to include manufacturing of Fender Telecaster, Fender Stratocaster, and Tune-o-matic bridges, along with tuning machine bushings, pickguard brackets, and other hardware made in the U.S. The "Supreme" series was launched as an upgrade featuring an 18:1 gear ratio over the original stamped steel tuners. A locking variant of these vintage-style tuners is also part of the lineup.
Revolution tuning machines
In 2015, Kluson introduced the diecast Revolution tuning machines to its portfolio. These received "Best In Show" honors from Guitar World at the NAMM Show.