Sperzel Tuner Fit?

[ashtray]

Ok - quick question:

Ordered a new Warmoth neck (soon to arrive) with a standard BML tuner ream (I think this means 1/2").

Now I was looking to order tuners, and I've narrowed it down between the Hipshot HB6Y's (1/2) and the Sperzel locking tuners. I much prefer the locking tuners actually. Here's my question, will they fit?

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.c...sku=361020#new

They don't indicate the size.

Here's the Hipshots link in comparison:

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.c...sku=363043#new

Oh - am I reading it correctly that these Hipshots will fit both the smaller (3/8") and normal (1/2") ream?

And what the heck... anyone give me advice on which to choose? The Hipshots look lighter (and with a potentially heavy Warmoth neck, that's a good thing), but the Sperzels locking feature is attractive to me.

Thanks!!!

[Gopher Bob]

After using the sperzels for years I have finally decided that the only advantage *(to me anyway) is the fast string changes and the whole "locking" thing holds the string in tune the same as any of my other basses.

[Mr M]

Originally Posted by ashtray

Ok - quick question:

Ordered a new Warmoth neck (soon to arrive) with a standard BML tuner ream (I think this means 1/2").

Now I was looking to order tuners, and I've narrowed it down between the Hipshot HB6Y's (1/2) and the Sperzel locking tuners. I much prefer the locking tuners actually. Here's my question, will they fit?

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.c...sku=361020#new

They don't indicate the size.

Here's the Hipshots link in comparison:

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.c...sku=363043#new

Oh - am I reading it correctly that these Hipshots will fit both the smaller (3/8") and normal (1/2") ream?

And what the heck... anyone give me advice on which to choose? The Hipshots look lighter (and with a potentially heavy Warmoth neck, that's a good thing), but the Sperzels locking feature is attractive to me.

Thanks!!!

Sperzel won't fit any headstock drilled for Gotoh, Schaller or Hipshot. They require a smaller diameter. You can check http://www.tkinstruments.com/id94.htm

[mikezimmerman]

Originally Posted by ashtray

Oh - am I reading it correctly that these Hipshots will fit both the smaller (3/8") and normal (1/2") ream?

There are two different models, one for 3/8" and one for 1/2".

Originally Posted by ashtray

And what the heck... anyone give me advice on which to choose? The Hipshots look lighter (and with a potentially heavy Warmoth neck, that's a good thing), but the Sperzels locking feature is attractive to me.

My Curbows have all had Sperzels--they're standard equipment, so they just look right to me on those basses. However, I've never found the locking feature to be much of an advantage. It's slightly quicker to do string changes, but that's about it. I've never weighed them next to each other, but I'd expect the Hipshots are lighter.

Mike

[ashtray]

Originally Posted by Mr M

Sperzel won't fit any headstock drilled for Gotoh, Schaller or Hipshot. They require a smaller diameter. You can check http://www.tkinstruments.com/id94.htm

Thanks for that link. Strangely it says the bass tuners were designed to fit MOST basses. But then below where the specs are, it says they require a 7/16" hole, and most basses have a 9/16th hole, and the Sperzel tuners won't fit. Bummer. Seems like these tuners were not designed for the aftermarket as replacements for standard tuners. I think that's a marketing oversight! Oh well...

[Mr M]

Originally Posted by ashtray

Thanks for that link. Strangely it says the bass tuners were designed to fit MOST basses. But then below where the specs are, it says they require a 7/16" hole, and most basses have a 9/16th hole, and the Sperzel tuners won't fit. Bummer. Seems like these tuners were not designed for the aftermarket as replacements for standard tuners. I think that's a marketing oversight! Oh well...

You're welcome. It is not in your choices but I may suggest you to check new Gotoh res-o-lites too. They are even lighter than Hipshot ultralites making them the lightest bass tuner around (AFAIK).
Here is an ebay link that I've bought from (but not installed yet):

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Gotoh-Res-O-...3%3A1|294%3A50

[ashtray]

Originally Posted by Mr M

You're welcome. It is not in your choices but I may suggest you to check new Gotoh res-o-lites too. They are even lighter than Hipshot ultralites making them the lightest bass tuner around (AFAIK).
Here is an ebay link that I've bought from (but not installed yet):

Thanks. I ended up buying a set of each - figuring I'd either return or sell them if they don't fit. If they both fit, I'd keep them both and upgrade one of my other basses. I got them on sales for 20% at Musicians Friend (b/c my friend was placing a large order, and they had a tiered discount rate, so I jumped on!).

Now the Sperzels are back ordered until September (!), so I might cancel the order... seeing how they won't fit any of my basses - though I would love to see if they fit my Brubaker Brute, but I'm not holding my breath. (need to pull a tuner off and measure the opening)

[greenboy]

Originally Posted by ashtray

Thanks for that link. Strangely it says the bass tuners were designed to fit MOST basses. But then below where the specs are, it says they require a 7/16" hole, and most basses have a 9/16th hole, and the Sperzel tuners won't fit. Bummer. Seems like these tuners were not designed for the aftermarket as replacements for standard tuners. I think that's a marketing oversight! Oh well...

I called the owner once and suggested that he start machining for at least one market-standard size, and offer a bushing for the bigger one, and have the tuner hardware that allowed this.

He just didn't seem to get why I wouldn't just glue in doweling and then re-drill to a smaller size, and why everybody wouldn't line up to do the same : \

[Gopher Bob]

I can say when I ordered my sperzels the basses headstock was drilled for the standard gotoh/grover tuners that are found on most everything (minus the large hole fender stuff).... the sperzels fit fine even though the hole was slightly bigger.

They aren't godly enough in my opinion to wait until september.

[ashtray]

Originally Posted by Gopher Bob

They aren't godly enough in my opinion to wait until september.

Ah - but I'm LAZY enough to not call and cancel my order!

Good to know that they might fit. I'll measure the Brute over the weekend (after my gig) and see how close it is.

Are the Sperzels reversible? (b/c I would need 2+2, and ordered 4L) Actually, I think the 2+2's were in stock (!) - so maybe I will call and swap them.

[Brad Johnson]

Originally Posted by greenboy

I called the owner once and suggested that he start machining for at least one market-standard size, and offer a bushing for the bigger one, and have the tuner hardware that allowed this.

He just didn't seem to get why I wouldn't just glue in doweling and then re-drill to a smaller size, and why everybody wouldn't line up to do the same : \

Make tuners that would retrofit most basses? Yeah, that's crazy talk.


I got a similar response from a bass manufacturer when I suggested they might want to offer a wide spaced five. Oh well, you tried.