Do Hipshot ultralites look ugly on a USA fender headstock?

[cigi]

Hey,

I just bought a second had 1996 USA jazz bass. It sounds amazingn but is a bit on the heavy side and has neckdive problems. i was thinking about replacing the tuners with hipshot ultralites the 1/2" model. I compared the dimensions from the hipshot site with the original fender tuners. The dimensions of the peghole are ok, but the clover is about 0,39 inch smaller.

How do these tuners look on a fender jazz bass? Do they look ugly? Does anyone have pictures of their usa fender jazz with hipshots?

Thanks!

[bongomania]

They look completely awesome, but the Gotoh ultralights look even more awesome. I buy the Hipshots for their customer service, and I buy the Gotohs for their looks.

[Darkstrike]

[cigi]

Thanks guys!

Looks good idd.

I think I'm going to order some Hipshot ultralites soon.

[ajn]

Here's what the Ultralites look like from the back of the headstock on an MIA Jazz--with a little light maple wood putty in the set holes from the old tuners.

[bass_snake]

I kinda like them ultralites. I like how they look skinny.

Fred

[80'sRocker]

The real question is not how they look but will the fix work. I don't think this will solve your problem. Weight comparisons between the original tuners and the Hishot's can probably be measured in ounces, thus forth resulting in great tuners but still the neck dive

[ajn]

Originally Posted by 80'sRocker

Weight comparisons between the original tuners and the Hishot's can probably be measured in ounces, thus forth resulting in great tuners but still the neck dive

The actual difference in weight between four Ultalite tuners and the original Fender clamshells is almost exactly 1/2 pound. I found that made a huge difference in the amount of downward force exerted upon the end of the neck. I never really experienced much in the way of neck dive on my Jazz when standing--just a lot of weight on my shoulder. But when seated, the neck dive was considerable. The lighter tuners made a big difference in that.

[BullHorn]

I have insane neck-dive on my J. So much that I hardly play it anymore.

bongomania, you mentioned Gotoh tuners. Are they lighter? How do they look, can you provide a photo of them on a bass?

[TheFantod]

Depends what was there first. This is what my RW P-bass looks like with Ultralites:



Of course, I don't give a rats patootie what they look like. They eliminated the neck dive and that's all that matters to me.

[honestjohnny]

Add a heavier bridge to balance out the reduced weight at the headstock in addition to the lighter tuners. If the neck still dives after that, then you can relocate the neck strap button to the opposite "horn" on the body. It will allow you to pull the neck up higher.

[80'sRocker]

Originally Posted by ajn

The actual difference in weight between four Ultalite tuners and the original Fender clamshells is almost exactly 1/2 pound. I found that to make a huge difference in the amount of downward force exerted upon the end of the neck. I never really experienced much in the way of neck dive on my Jazz when standing--just a lot of weight on my shoulder. But when seated, the neck dive was considerable. The lighter tuners made a big difference in that.

I stand corrected, although I did say ounces. I wouldn't think 8 ounces would make a big difference, but apparently so. I have owned about a dozen Jazz basses with absolutely NO neck dive on any - a little confused as to why some are having this issue on a Jazz. Thanks

[MK1]

Originally Posted by 80'sRocker

The real question is not how they look but will the fix work. I don't think this will solve your problem. Weight comparisons between the original tuners and the Hishot's can probably be measured in ounces, thus forth resulting in great tuners but still the neck dive

They make a huge difference. I have a mustang bass which is notorious for its neck dive and the ultralites have taken care of it. I use a 2" luggage vinyl strap and I have no issues with it diving anymore.

[joeyl]

Originally Posted by 80'sRocker

I stand corrected, although I did say ounces. I wouldn't think 8 ounces would make a big difference, but apparently so. I have owned about a dozen Jazz basses with absolutely NO neck dive on any - a little confused as to why some are having this issue on a Jazz. Thanks

that's because the Fenders from mid 90s to late 2000s have the giant monster tuners that have the 2 pin locators. Grab 4 of these and you will see why the neck dives.

[jwr]

Where can one buy those Ultralites?

[ajn]

Originally Posted by joeyl

that's because the Fenders from mid 90s to late 2000s have the giant monster tuners that have the 2 pin locators.

Actually, the clamshell tuners were first introduced in 1983. And I'm not really sure how much more they weighed than the tuners that preceded them.

As I indicated in an earlier post, I didn't have a neck dive issue with those big tuners on my 03 Jazz when I was standing and playing, just a lot of weight I could feel on my shoulder--there's a big difference between those two issues. I've had basses with real neck dive, and they just head south in a hurry when you let go of the neck. That was never the case with the Fender. The Ultralites just made the overall balance feel better to me, and happen to lighten the load by 1/2 a pound (which I much appreciate by the end of the third set!).

[ajn]

Originally Posted by jwr

Where can one buy those Ultralites?

They are available lots of places online, but if you contact Hipshot directly, you can ask if they still have available a version of the HB6C - 1/2" with the longer posts. At the time I got mine, they had a small number of them in stock that are about 1/4" taller than the standard version, although they were never listed on their website. They sit up a bit taller on Fenders, which I think looks nicer.

[rodgersk24]

Originally Posted by BullHorn

I have insane neck-dive on my J. So much that I hardly play it anymore.

bongomania, you mentioned Gotoh tuners. Are they lighter? How do they look, can you provide a photo of them on a bass?

I'm interested in the Gotohs, as well. Anyone have a picture of them on a bass by chance?

[BullHorn]

I'm also even more interested in weight comparisons for the tuners and also for bridges, can I find it somewhere?

[depalm]

I use both

Gotoh RES O LITE




Ultralites