Question: How much weight will I shave off by switching to Hipshot Ultarlights?

[Cory]

I've got an really nice 5 string that is on the light side (body wise).....and along with that is a tiny bit neck heavy for what I like. I have been thinking of taking the factory tuners off and installing Hipshot Ultralights on it. This is such a great sounding and playing bass that I'd like to try and save it!

Any one know how much weight I will save off of the original Schaller BM tuners?

Thanks!

[CapnSev]

I shaved about a 1/2 lb on my Stingray 5 when I put Ultralights on, replacing the original tuners.

[bass rocks]

i dont know the weight of schaller bms wiegh them on a mail scale

[Cory]

Originally Posted by CapnSev

I shaved about a 1/2 lb on my Stingray 5 when I put Ultralights on, replacing the original tuners.

Thanks CapnSev!

I think that might just do the trick!

[walterw]

a little weight shaved off makes a big difference out at the end of a long bass neck.

[mongo2]

Just another data point...I use only 4 strings but I've found that Gotoh Res-O-Lite 350 tuners are lighter than Hipahot Ultralights with 4 of the Gotohs weighing about as much as 3 of the Hipshots, but the Gotohs have a different paddle shape.

[Pilgrim]

I think you can look up the weight of replacement parts by hitting the specific manufacturer's website. The suggestion above for weighing an existing tuner will tell you what the factory tuner weight is.

[ponticat]

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

...hitting the specific manufacturer's website

Hipshot DOES NOT specify weight:
Ultralite Bass Machines > Store > Hipshot Products

Mojotone (Gotoh vendor) DOES specify weight:
Bass Machine Heads

[Cory]

Got it figured out now.........

it will shave off a little more than 1/2 lb off of my bass. I decided I could get a rough estimate by taking two of the tuners and two strings off. The neck dive stopped and it sits just right. Looks like I will be ordering a set of ultralights.

Thanks everyone!

[nervous]

Wether or not you find that difference useful is perhaps more the point. If you have a little neck diving it can certainly correct that. If not then will you like the tuner? I had them on a Cirrus 6 and the difference was negligible and I don't know if I liked the Hipshots enough to do it again. I found them a bit fragile.

[bassbo2112]

I'm looking into Hipshot Ultralights and just got off the phone with them, so I figured I would share the information they gave me.

HB2 vs HB6C ultralight 1/2"

HB2
.205 lbs = 3.28 ounces
total weight for a 4 string = 4*3.28 = 13.2 ounces
total weight for a 5 string = 5*3.28 = 16.4 ounces

HB6C (1/2")
.105 lbs = 1.68 ounces
total weight for a 4 string = 4*1.68=6.72 ounces
total weight for a 5 string = 5*1.68=8.4 ounces

Generally looking about 1/2 lb less weight with ultralights

[mdogs]

Originally Posted by bassbo2112

I'm looking into Hipshot Ultralights and just got off the phone with them, so I figured I would share the information they gave me.

HB2 vs HB6C ultralight 1/2"

HB2
.205 lbs = 3.28 ounces
total weight for a 4 string = 4*3.28 = 13.2 ounces
total weight for a 5 string = 5*3.28 = 16.4 ounces

HB6C (1/2")
.105 lbs = 1.68 ounces
total weight for a 4 string = 4*1.68=6.72 ounces
total weight for a 5 string = 5*1.68=8.4 ounces

Generally looking about 1/2 lb less weight with ultralights

Good info! Hard to believe a 1/2 lb is insignificant on any bass!

[TheFantod]

I posted this a while back, a comparison of Fender Old School Reverse Tuners & Ultralites (1/2")

Weight savings of lighter tuners, in pictures!

[bjabass]

I put a set on a P frankenbass and the weight is not the only benefit. The 1st thing you will notice is they tune like BUTTER!