Hipshot Ultralites - Finishes/Weights/Generics/Vendors

Arranger · #1 02-20-2011, 11:46 AM

I've been trying to find out all the details on Hipshot Ultralite tuners, but can't seem to figure it all out.

There seem to be 'generics' that don't have the Hipshot name cast on the gear cover. Are they also real Hipshots or decent knock offs?

I'm also wondering if the all chrome versions weigh more or less than the satin/chrome models.

Lastly,
Where are the better vendors to obtain them? StewMac doesn't seem to have the all chrome models with the Hipshot cast logo and stock levels seem to be low. Some other dealers have questionable reputations.

Thanks for the guidance!

Arranger · #2 02-20-2011, 01:09 PM

Amazing! Hipshot also replied to my e-mail immediately today!

...on a Sunday, no less.

Both the Satin/Chrome and All Chrome Ultralites weigh the same. The non-branded Hipshots are still made by Hipshot. Builders often prefer them.

Only thing I'm still not sure about is where to get them and which dealers are the most reputable.

Steveaux · #3 02-20-2011, 01:40 PM

http://www.bestbassgear.com/

**lowfreqgeek** · #4 02-20-2011, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steveaux

http://www.bestbassgear.com/

Yup.

lefty1979 · #5 02-20-2011, 01:52 PM

wish I'd seen this a couple weeks ago. Ordered a set of ultralights from another resource.
No clue where my order is, waiting for a response. AND these were cheaper.

DWBass · #6 02-20-2011, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steveaux

http://www.bestbassgear.com/

Yup. That's where I got mine. They are relatively inexpensive too.

Arranger · #7 02-20-2011, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lefty1979

wish I'd seen this a couple weeks ago. Ordered a set of ultralights from another resource.
No clue where my order is, waiting for a response. AND these were cheaper.

Uh, oh... would that have been through BassPartsResource?

lefty1979 · #8 02-20-2011, 02:27 PM

No comment, since I'm still waiting for a reply from the company. I will say that I've ordered from Basspartsresource before with no problems.

joeyl · #9 02-20-2011, 05:05 PM

bestbassgear.com may not be the cheapest but Brian will take care of you and his customer service is excellent

Steveaux · #10 02-20-2011, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeyl

bestbassgear.com may not be the cheapest but Brian will take care of you and his customer service is excellent

You bet!

My last order even came with a little smiley penciled on the Packing List. The personal touch.

mongo2 · #11 02-20-2011, 06:22 PM

Have you checked out Gotoh Res-O-Lite 350s? I used Hipshot U/Ls for years but I switched to the Gotohs since 4 of them weigh about as much as 3 of the Hipshots.

macribas · #12 02-20-2011, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeyl

bestbassgear.com may not be the cheapest but Brian will take care of you and his customer service is excellent

+1 on that. Just ordered a couple of sets and they are awesome.

joeyl · #13 02-21-2011, 09:24 AM

slightly off topic but I bought a set of Hipshots licenced tuners from a Lakland, and they were the light hipshot ultralites I've used: even the bushing was aluminum instead of the steel.

Arranger · #14 02-21-2011, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeyl

slightly off topic but I bought a set of Hipshots licenced tuners from a Lakland, and they were the light hipshot ultralites I've used: even the bushing was aluminum instead of the steel.

Talking with Bill at Hipshot, your experience makes sense. Hipshot creates many non-branded versions and no doubt yours were the real deal distributed by Lakland. I must admit that Hipshot has been very forward and attentive in their communications and I couldn't ask for more from a bass parts manufacturer. The Hipshot company is a world-class act.

To keep a my collectible Fender P more consistent, I ended up ordering a set of Fender's ultralites which come on the new MIA Standards. Fender even refers to them as Hipshots, though they sport their own Fender "F" cast into the gear shell.

Thanks for your note!

BassMan99 · #15 03-27-2011, 10:42 AM

arranger and all. Hope you can help me. I have a 2003 Fender Jazz Bass. MAde in USA. It has the fender tuners with an F on them that do not use screws on thew back of the headstock, the nut on the front side of the tuner holds them on.
I want to get ultralite tuners. Its a bit neck heavy and kind of heavy in general but I love how it plays and sounds. I have been playing brutally long gigs and my back is sore.
Can you tell me which model works as a direct replacement and where to but them? I kind of prefer the fender brand but thats not a big deal to me. Light weight and price qre the deciding factors.
Also any idea how much lighter the bass is after installing?
Thank you very much.

Arranger · #16 03-27-2011, 11:13 AM

You will need to remove one of your tuners and measure the diameter of the hole in the headstock. Fender brands one of the hipshot ultralites with their own F mark and it's currently available on the new brand Precision Deluxe models. I like it because it keeps the instrument all Fender and covers the mounting of some older Fender models. You'll need to investigate your model a bit more thoroughly. Because they vary so much it's not always clear which model works and getting a finite answer to your question isn't really easy. Not too many TalkBass'ers will want to risk misdirecting you.

BassMan99 · #17 03-27-2011, 11:48 AM

thank you. I have been trying to sort this out. There are so many sites and models with not very good decriptions. I juts want the lightweight tuners that fit without modifying my bass.

Sparkdog · #18 07-15-2011, 11:20 AM

I have a set of each type of the Fender American Standard tuners if you're interested...the pre-2008 version made by Schaller and the 2008 and later version made by Hipshot, which is considerably lighter. I think these would be direct replacements for your tuners.

Mine came off of Fenders that were modded and these have just been laying around, both sets are like new. PM me if you want to discuss.