Should I alter my stock Fender?

philthygeezer · #1 10-21-2006, 03:17 PM

I have a 2001 American Hot Rodded Precision and I'm thinking about installing a set of hipshot tuners on it to save 0.6 pounds and cure the slight neck dive.

The thing is a gem and easily comparible to the custom shop Jazz I saw in the shop last night as far as build quality goes. The Hipshots require drilling one screwhole per tuner into the headstock. The existing BT4S heavy tuners have no screwholes.

So do I kill any collector value by making the bass more comfortable?

pj-mike · #2 10-21-2006, 08:13 PM

You can install the hipshot tuners and later re-install the old tuners if you decide to sell it. The hipshots aren't hard to install.
There's a chance that the sound might change slightly due to lower mass at the headstock. Sustain was effected on my bass.
Others have commented about a shift in an existing dead spot higher on the neck. Most people have been happy with the change. Eliminating neck dive does make for a more pleasant playing experience.

ElBajista · #3 10-21-2006, 08:23 PM

I don't think it'll adversely affect the resale value. Not by much, anyway. If you later decide to sell the bass, the stock tuners should cover up the single hole for the Hipshots.

I'd do it and not worry about any collector's value.

joeyl · #4 10-22-2006, 05:34 PM

do it, it is very worth it. At the time I did mine the bigger shaft ultralite did not exist. But the balance is so much better, and it makes a difference on the shoulders after 2 hours

Giraffe · #5 10-23-2006, 03:58 PM

Modern production basses are churned out in such enormous numbers that most models will never acheive the rarity which is one of the most important elements in determining collectability. Additionally, well-heeled collectors and dealers are stockpiling the most likely models against the day they might be worth more. "Pre-CBS" is from another century. Unless you're intending to closet that bass for the next thirty years, you probably shouldn't be worrying about collector value.

On a more important note, I believe the large post cloverleaf Hipshots are an exact replacement for most Fender tuners, in which case you hit the originals with a preservative and store them safely away, and you have reduced weight, enhanced tuner sensitivity, and you can still return the bass to original condition in case one of them turns up on the cover of Bass Player Mag.