Looking for some new Tuners

[Kenton]

Hi all hope this is the right place, I've got an 03 MIM Jazz Bass that im looking to add new tuners to but i don't wanna make new holes just fit and play, Have you got any suggestions?.

Thanks

Dan

[Pilgrim]

What's the problem with the existing ones that you're trying to solve?

[Kenton]

They don't stay in tune for long

[Cutty]

Hipshot do a model for MIM jazz basses,no hole drilling needed,i would go with these,good luck.

[Phalex]

Originally Posted by Cutty

Hipshot do a model for MIM jazz basses,no hole drilling needed,i would go with these,good luck.

Yep!

It took me a whole half hour to remove the stock tuners and install 3 hipshots and a D tuner on my MIM. Easy to install, and they're very nice too.

[Pilgrim]

Originally Posted by Kenton

They don't stay in tune for long

That's unusual for Fender tuners. You're 100% sure you're stringing correctly, including inserting the end of the string in the hole on the end of the post, bending the string 90 degrees, then wrapping from the top of the post down to lock the string in place and increase the break angle over the nut?

This isn't meant to be insulting or anything - just trying to make sure that you're doing everything possible to prevent the strings from slipping.

Edit: here's a good guide on "how-to"...
http://www.tunemybass.com/bass_string_change/

The only difference between their technique and mine is that I purposely leave enough string (at least 2" past the post when I clip it) that I start wrapping at the top of the post and I DO wrap over the string that's bent into the post. By wrapping from the top of the post down, I lock that string end in place and end up with the string as close to the headstock as possible. That increases the break angle over the nut for better string-to-nut contact.

That technique may allow a bit more string slip for the first few days, but since I don't change bass strings unless they break, they settle in soon and stay put. I can attest this works because I can pick up any bass I own, and it's within a half-step or less of being in tune even if I haven't played it in a month or more.

[Beyer160]

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

That's unusual for Fender tuners. You're 100% sure you're stringing correctly, including inserting the end of the string in the hole on the end of the post, bending the string 90 degrees, then wrapping from the top of the post down to lock the string in place and increase the break angle over the nut?

+1

Unless you have incredibly crappy hardware (which MIM Fenders don't), tuning problems very rarely have anything to do with the tuners.

[Phalex]

Originally Posted by Beyer160

+1

Unless you have incredibly crappy hardware (which MIM Fenders don't), tuning problems very rarely have anything to do with the tuners.

Hmmmmm..... Ya know.......

After I put the aftermarket machine heads on my P, I still had stability issues with tuning. The P bass was the one and only bolt on neck that I have ever owned, and I got it used. After long and careful consideration, the next time I was doing a string change, once I got all the strings off and the neck not under any tension, I checked to see if maybe the neck mounting screws could be loose.

Ya know what? Every screw was at least a half turn loose. Tightening up the neck screws and lubricating the nut and saddles has made a big difference concerning staying in tune.

The Hipshot tuning machines do fell a lot smoother than the stock MIM tuners, but in retrospect, They didn't really solve the issue I was having.

[Pilgrim]

Originally Posted by Phalex

Hmmmmm..... Ya know.......

After I put the aftermarket machine heads on my P, I still had stability issues with tuning. The P bass was the one and only bolt on neck that I have ever owned, and I got it used. After long and careful consideration, the next time I was doing a string change, once I got all the strings off and the neck not under any tension, I checked to see if maybe the neck mounting screws could be loose.

Ya know what? Every screw was at least a half turn loose. Tightening up the neck screws and lubricating the nut and saddles has made a big difference concerning staying in tune.

The Hipshot tuning machines do fell a lot smoother than the stock MIM tuners, but in retrospect, They didn't really solve the issue I was having.

Good point! I hadn't thought of that, but it is really easy to check.

[Kenton]

All my strings and neck are all right i do em as you described, That's why im looking at new tuners cause i cant figure out other than that what's causing it.

[Pilgrim]

Interesting and odd. About the only other thing is to make sure the hardware on your existing tuners is tight so they're not prone to slip.

I assume your strings are more than a couple months old...because if they're less than that, a fair amount of stretch between uses could appear to be tuner slip.

[Kenton]

i had a look at the machine heads and all is tight my strings are about 5 or 6 months old could that be the problem.

[Pilgrim]

Don't think so - after that long, the strings should have pretty well stretched. I sure wouldn't expect a major change in pitch from strings that have been installed that long.

How much is it changing pitch, and how fast? Is it losing a full note while you play it, or does it take a week sitting to lose a half-note...or what? Just trying to figure out how bad the problem is.

[Kenton]

I had to tune up about half way through a 60 min set last night, it's not way it its just a little but its still annoying.

[megadan]

If your problem is going out of tune, trying changing the nut first. Much cheaper than changing the tuners.

The graphtec nuts are nice.

[megadan]

Originally Posted by Kenton

I had to tune up about half way through a 60 min set last night, it's not way it its just a little but its still annoying.

Jeez,that's not bad at all. I tune up every other song (we have pre planned noise loops between songs to accommodate this, as the two guitarists obsessively tune as well)

I would expect only about 1 bass in 1000 to stay in tune for an entire gig.

Staying in tune sitting in it's case is another thing. Most of my basses sick for weeks with no change in tuning.

[kirkm24]

I'm going to replace the tuners on my Marcus Miller Jazz. Not because it doesn't hold tune but because they are extremely tight and the gear ratio is such that it takes a million turns to wind a new string on. I bought a set of hipshots and an extender (drop D) tuner. After this upgrade, this bass will be completely aftermarket except for the body, bridge and neck (although the stock bridge on the Marcus Miller is a BadAss II which is typically considered aftermarket).

[martyman5000]

I bought a crap neck off EBAY from a company called EDEN and also some cheap tuners. A small consignment music store called Song Bird was going out of business so I went down and bought a Mighty might neck and some Grover tuners and the difference was like night and day.

[Kenton]

I think im gonna change em its not much money and 2 of mine have all ready been changed prob by the previous owner, it might not make a lot of difference but itll give me a peace of mind till i can get my new bass.