Is There a Lightweight Musicman Replacement Tuner???

[sjb64]

I have a new Musicman Sterling 5 string that I love. The only problem is that it's fairly neck-heavy. The body size (smaller and thinner than a SR5) is the problem; I wish they had gone with a compact type tuner like the Hipshot Ultralite.

Are there any lightweight replacement tuners avaiable for it made of aluminum or even part plastic (similar to some Fender tuners) out there?

[NicJimBass]

Good grief, I'm not alone! I just got a Bongo 5 that's just neck-heavy enough for me to consider swapping tuners. I used Hipshot Ultralights on my SR5 for a while, but I much prefer the smooth tuning of the stock tuners to the rigid tuning of the Hipshots. Hopefully there's a nice compromise.

[sjb64]

I'll bet the Hipshot Ultralites didn't work so well on your SR5 with the 11/16" bore on the headstock. Oh well.

TTT.

[depalm]

Originally Posted by sjb64

I have a new Musicman Sterling 5 string that I love. The only problem is that it's fairly neck-heavy. The body size (smaller and thinner than a SR5) is the problem; I wish they had gone with a compact type tuner like the Hipshot Ultralite.

Are there any lightweight replacement tuners avaiable for it made of aluminum or even part plastic (similar to some Fender tuners) out there?

I replaced the stock tuning machines on my 93 Sterling for the Hipshot Ultralites.
This bass is much more comfortable to play now. Huge upgrade!
I hope MM stop been so stubborn and start using lighter tuning machines on their basses!

[sjb64]

It's too bad EBMM doesn't just switch to these tuners on their Sterlings. I'm surprised that even some of the 4 string sterlings are neck heavy.

There has to be an all aluminum exact replacement out there, that will cover up (or use) the original tuner screw holes.

[mongo2]

I've used G&L tuners on my MMs. They're drop in replacements and use an aluminum post so they're considerably lighter than the OEM tuners.

[sjb64]

I know that Hipshot's BT1 (I think) is a replacement tuner for G&L and Musicman. I was told (by Hipshot) that it has an aluminum post and that a set of five will reduce the weight by the weight of one OEM Musicman tuner. I removed the G string tuner to see how much of a difference it would make and it wasn't as dramatic a improvement as I would have hoped for; the bass was still slightly neck heavy.

If this is the only option I may end up doing it. Does anyone know if it's possible to just switch out the string post, assuming that Hipshot will sell just the aluminum string post?

[joeyl]

Originally Posted by sjb64

I'll bet the Hipshot Ultralites didn't work so well on your SR5 with the 11/16" bore on the headstock. Oh well.

TTT.

Hipshot makes them with a 1/2" shaft that fits 11/16" tuner holes. I have used the smaller 3/8" before on a Fender before the 1/2" type was available, just flip the washer upside down to keep the tuner centered. And since the nut tightens the whole assembly to the headstock, there is no problem as compared to push fit bushings.