Any Disadvantages to Hipshot Ultralight tuners?

[gmarcus]

I have a Fender Highway 1 P-bass. It is one of the new ones with the Graphite rods in the neck. Its a really nice bass, not dead spots, great tone, nice action and actually pretty light (8.5lbs on the bathroom scale). I've been toying with the idea of installing a set of Hipshot Ultralight tuners. I know I will be left with extra holes from the old tuners, but I was wondering if the ultralights will in anyway effect the tone or introduce dead spots. I notice most people don't bother replacing their tuners on a P-bass, but the idea of loosing 1/2 pound from the head stock is making my back smile.

[datsgora]

a 1/2 lb difference......whoa, I never would have thought it to be that much. I too am interested in some responses by people who have done this........do the old school tuners give the head stock the mass it needs?

[theshadow2001]

Im pretty sure you only save a few ounces. like 6 or 8.

[gmarcus]

Its like taking a small cup of coffee off of your head stock. I haven't removed the old tuners yet, but I read here that they are really heavy. I believe it, they have a huge metal gear and all of that metal mounting plate.

I'm just not sure if the Bass needs all of that mass to sound like a P-bass. Leo was a master designer, but he also used what was available at the time. G&L basses have light weight tuners.

[rpatter]

I never really thought of the weight aspect, but the Hipshots are excellent tuners. Everything else feels cheap after using them. I highly recommend them.

Ralf

Originally Posted by gmarcus

Its like taking a small cup of coffee off of your head stock. I haven't removed the old tuners yet, but I read here that they are really heavy. I believe it, they have a huge metal gear and all of that metal mounting plate.

I'm just not sure if the Bass needs all of that mass to sound like a P-bass. Leo was a master designer, but he also used what was available at the time. G&L basses have light weight tuners.

[theshadow2001]

Originally Posted by gmarcus

1/2 pound = 8 onces

oops

I really don't have a clue when it comes to imperial measurements (obviously!) Metric all the way

[meev992]

hhaha, i have a hard time thinking of weight, in anything BUT metric, it just makes more sense to me.

[fender3x]

Is it possible to get machines similar to the ones on G&L basses? They have alu posts and are supposed to be pretty light...

[uethanian]

the price.

cmon its like 100$ for a four string set. and for what? less metal than regular tuners?

[gmarcus]

"oops

I really don't have a clue when it comes to imperial measurements (obviously!) Metric all the way"

No worries. My 7 year old son wishes that time could be metric too

Is $100 dollars worth not messing up my back....yep as long as it doesn't wreck my bass.

Okay maybe I'm just bored and feel like doing something to my bass. I'm also looking into a HAS P-bass wiring harness........ for $70 it has a tone control that you can pull up and it becomes an adjustable mid scoop, but you know, when I play I just leave it wide open so I really don't need any of this stuff. I should probably try to play more gigs

[Nino Valenti]

Removing weight from the headstock may cause some deadspots on the neck.

[gmarcus]

That is my biggest fear. I am hoping that someone who replaced their tuners can let us know if there really is a dead spot problem or not.

[Pilgrim]

One vendor's info on Ebay for Gotoh-style tuners sez: "At 44 grams each, USA-made Ultralite series tuners are 30% lighter than Gotoh GB7 keys."

44 grams = 1.55 oz. Therefore 4 Ultralites are 6 oz total. If Gotohs are 30% heavier, let's say they're 2 oz each. 4 x 2 = 8 oz.

Another auction on Ultralite replacements for Fender cloverleafs says: "At 57 grams each, USA-made Ultralite series tuners are almost 50% lighter than full-size Fender keys."

57 grams = 2 oz. Therefore a set of Ultralites is 8 oz. If Fenders are 3 oz. each, then a set of 4 = 12 oz.

But - at $100+ per set, it seems like a lot of money to reduce headstock weight by 2 to 4 oz., even if the tuners have a lot of leverage at the end of that full scale neck.

I'm trying an experiment this weekend. I have a Jay Turser '54 P-clone that's a neck diver and weighs only 6.5 pounds. I installed a Fender bridge cover, and I'm going to try loading it up (inside) with the adhesive tape weights used to balance mag wheels. I have 12 oz. of tape weights that my tire shop gave me free, because I'm a regular customer.

If adding 12 oz. of weight inside that bridge cover makes a balance difference, I'll be happy and the bass will still weigh less than 8 pounds.

[meev992]

Personally, I put as much heavy stuff on my bass as possible...

But I'm young, and have a lot of vigor in me....Might be switching to ultralights in a decade or so

[dogbass]

I replaced the stock tuners on my Vintage Modified P with Hipshot Ultralights and 1) it saved a bit of weight; 2) they are crafted superior to the stock tuners ( I would say this applies to the Fender Hwy 1 as well) 3) it improved the balance of the bass 4) no effect on tone; 5) no added dead spots. Is it worth $100....thats your call.

[Showdown]

Originally Posted by meev992

Personally, I put as much heavy stuff on my bass as possible...

But I'm young, and have a lot of vigor in me....Might be switching to ultralights in a decade or so

Enjoy it while you can.....

I used to not care about weight, but now at 46 I have to keep my basses around 8 lbs. or less to make it through a gig without pain.

[momo]

If dead spots are already there, would ULs possible help remove them?

[gmarcus]

That is exactly the kind of info I needed. It sounds like it might be worth it for the balance improvement.

[gmarcus]

Hey Showdown.

How do you like that Rumblecat bass?

[Zooberwerx]

They're light (as the name implies) and turn smoothly. Well worth the $$$ in my book. I usually snug the tensioner screws a bit; I like 'em nice and tight with no play.

Riis