replacement machineheads for squier bronco

[walruswaspaul]

I am looking for some replacement machineheads for my squier bronco as the ones on their at the moment are ok but feel very tight when I am tuning my bass , the machineheads are the small type (as pictured) not the usual elephant ear tuners. I would like to avoid any major mods if possible , any suggestions ?

[J.D.B.]

Yeah they're junk. I drilled to 9/16 and went with some good used Gotoh's. Now it doesn't ooze out of tune while I (beat) play it!
Josh

[jrfrond]

Those tuner are budget with a capital "B". You can get equivalent replacements, but there are no GOOD machines with the same footprint.

I recommend Hipshot Lites with the correct cloverleaf key. That's what I put on my son's bass. Best there is, in my opinion.

[walruswaspaul]

thanks guys , I think I will have to follow your advice and get some Gotoh or Hipshot tuners , how did you find the drilling and how did you remove the metal rings surrounding the tuners (as in the pic below, have drawn arrow to show what part I mean)

[J.D.B.]

The grommets just push/tap out from the rear with a dowel. Drilled them open on a drill press, no trouble at all. Tooke a couple minutes, maybe.
Josh

[walruswaspaul]

just noticed as well that there is a little buzzing coming from the machineheads if I play too aggressively so those machineheads are definately going , meanwhile i'll have to find some way to get rid of the buzz until I get the new machineheads