Cheap, decent, lightweight Fender-style tuning keys?

**Matthew_84** · #1 08-25-2011, 05:56 AM

Hey guys,

I have a 2000 MIA Fender P Bass. I have always played with my right wrist resting against the bass, but I recently changed my technique a bit so that it is not. Now, I realize that this bass has some serious neck dive, and I'm looking for ways to cure it.

I'd like to get some lightweight Fender-style (clover-leaf) tuning keys to replace the stock ones, but all of the ones I saw at allparts.com were around $150.00 and up. Right now, my finances can't justify this kind of expenditure but I do think that I need to do something about the dive as it's adding unwanted duties to my fretting hand.

Does anybody know of a cheaper, but still decent quality solution?

Thanks,

Matt

FrankenIbanez70 · #2 08-25-2011, 05:59 AM

Maybe try Hipshot ultra lites, very very light and you can get fender style clover leafs.

slaphappychappy · #3 08-25-2011, 06:04 AM

or put sinkers in the routing on the body. common suggestion that i did not believe til recently.

**Matthew_84** · #4 08-25-2011, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slaphappychappy

or put sinkers in the routing on the body. common suggestion that i did not believe til recently.

That's interesting, I've never heard of that one, but I like it. I guess I'd stick them down into the bottom of the control-knobs cavity? What should I use? I guess whatever it is it would have to have a good weight to it.

klaus486 · #5 08-25-2011, 06:57 PM

Try Dunlop strap locks. The type that stick out from the body and can be used with a regular strap. These add about in inch forward to where your strap attaches to the bass and has completely cured all neck dive issues for me and my Fender style basses.

walterw · #6 08-25-2011, 06:59 PM

at least using the front dunlop lock could indeed add a little balance.

Quote:

Originally Posted by slaphappychappy

or put sinkers in the routing on the body. common suggestion that i did not believe til recently.

ugh, why make a nice light bass heavier?

look at the fender deluxe bass lightweight keys, or even the new american standard keys, for about $30 each; out at the end of that long neck, they'll make all the difference balance-wise.

(with the older black "boron" housing keys, be sure to drip a bit of loc-tite into the little set screw that controls turning tension at the other end of the cloverleaf; otherwise, it can back out and get lost, taking the impossible-to-replace little metal bushing with it

)

qiuzhiuli · #7 08-25-2011, 09:48 PM

I saw on the eBay about $ 8 each.

slaphappychappy · #8 08-26-2011, 06:38 AM

it'll atleast stop you being a 10 pound weakling with the extra weight, or think of it as a work out. i found it worked well, and didnt add much weight at all, but i use the extra wide leather straps already, ya know, and i dont really care about the weight of a bass.