Ultra light tuners question.

[bassike]

Ultra light tuners

Do ultra light tuners really make a big difference?

I have a carvin bass that I would like to upgrade.
The bass has no neck dive but I noticed that I do have to tune the bass very often,
So since I’m planning to change the tuners I was thinking that I could install the ultra light ones.

Any advice?

Are hipshot UL the bees knees, or should I just get a new set or the original carvin tuners.

[Foamy]

They are very very very nice. You'll really feel it if you hold your originals in one hand and the ultralights in the other. They obviously won't make any difference in tone, so only do it if you're after a certain effect (less dive, nicer/different look, etc...). Or heck, maybe ya just got money burnin' a hole in your pocket. They're a very nice upgrade.

[mongo2]

For me, light tuners definitely improve the balance of a bass.

I've switched over to Gotoh Res-O-Lite 350s on my basses.

4 of the Gotoh 350s weigh about as much as 3 of the Ultralights.

[dmusic148]

Your tuning issue might not be caused by your tuners- better figure that out first.
Depending on the weight of your current tuners, Ultralights may or may not be a good idea. If your bass balances well now, but the tuners are fairly heavy, Ultralights will cause a neck light situation
where it wants to stand up all the time. Been there.
To find out, remove one and weigh it with an accurate scale, such as a food portion scale.
Ultralights weigh about 1.8 oz. If your present tuners weight 2.5 to 3 oz each, you will definitely change the balance, possibly for the worse.
You don't mention how many strings you have. Obviously, more tuners= more balance change.

[bassike]

Originally Posted by dmusic148

Your tuning issue might not be caused by your tuners- better figure that out first.
Depending on the weight of your current tuners, Ultralights may or may not be a good idea. If your bass balances well now, but the tuners are fairly heavy, Ultralights will cause a neck light situation
where it wants to stand up all the time. Been there.
To find out, remove one and weigh it with an accurate scale, such as a food portion scale.
Ultralights weigh about 1.8 oz. If your present tuners weight 2.5 to 3 oz each, you will definitely change the balance, possibly for the worse.
You don't mention how many strings you have. Obviously, more tuners= more balance change.

Makes sense

It is a five string bass; I don't think I would mind the neck light situation, since I use to play double bass.
I've never experienced a bass where the neck wanted to stand up to much so there is no way to know if it'll be more comfortable or not.

The thing that comes to mind is that it'll definitely help my Warwick cause I love that bass but hate it at the same time when I try to play standing up.

[depalm]

Hipshot Ultralites are definitely a great upgrade on any bass.
I installed on some of my basses and they feel much more comfortable to play now.

[Webtroll]

You can definitely feel the difference holding them, even more so with the leverage their weight has at the end of a neck. If your bass is heavy or just neck-heavy these are a great way to reduce that weight.

[bassgod76]

I wonder if swapping ultralites out with those factory gotoh tuners that come with most Y key equiped basses requires drilling for the mounting screw? Anyone know?

[aproud1]

Originally Posted by mongo2

For me, light tuners definitely improve the balance of a bass.

I've switched over to Gotoh Res-O-Lite 350s on my basses.

4 of the Gotoh 350s weigh about as much as 3 of the Ultralights.

Is there somewhere in the US that carries these? Have had any luck searching.

[Zooberwerx]

Originally Posted by bassgod76

I wonder if swapping ultralites out with those factory gotoh tuners that come with most Y key equiped basses requires drilling for the mounting screw? Anyone know?

No alteration is needed. I've replaced the Gotoh GB7's with UL's more times than I can count. The "pivot" mounting screw is in perfect alignment.

Here's the best part: if you screw up a component during installation (I've rounded out cap tensioner screws), parts are available thru Hipshot (thanks Jason!). Try that with Gotoh.

Riis

[rappa29]

Originally Posted by Foamy

They are very very very nice. You'll really feel it if you hold your originals in one hand and the ultralights in the other.

+1...I just bought a set of 4 from a member here. I took off one of the stock tuners on my G&L Trib L2500 and just compared both in hand. SIGNIFICANT weight difference. Don't even need a scale to tell. Although I like to see numbers so I'm going to put them on food scale or something to document the difference.

Still haven't installed them though b\c I'm 1 short!

[bassgod76]

Originally Posted by Zooberwerx

No alteration is needed. I've replaced the Gotoh GB7's with UL's more times than I can count. The "pivot" mounting screw is in perfect alignment.

Here's the best part: if you screw up a component during installation (I've rounded out cap tensioner screws), parts are available thru Hipshot (thanks Jason!). Try that with Gotoh.

Riis

Looks like my Ibanez SDGR is getting some tuner love, very soon!

[Zooberwerx]

Originally Posted by bassgod76

Looks like my Ibanez SDGR is getting some tuner love, very soon!

Keep an eye on the TB classifieds and E-bay. I see these come up frequently as byproducts of "projects-that-never-came-together". The Hipshot Lic'd tuners are also a good buy but cannot be switched from right-hand to left-hand and vice versa.

Riis

[bassike]

Ah yeah I forgot to ask that
Is drilling required in most cases?
That is something I wouldn't like to do.

[Zooberwerx]

Originally Posted by bassike

Ah yeah I forgot to ask that
Is drilling required in most cases?
That is something I wouldn't like to do.

The UL's should be a direct swap-out and require no drilling. A Gotoh GB7 is 3/8" in diameter as is the Hipshot equivalent. Beware: Hipshot also offers the same model in a 1/2" Fender-esque replacement (available with both the Y and cloverleaf patterns). You probably want the HB6Y....check the website:

http://store.hipshotproducts.com/car...oduct_list&c=5

Measure (or post a pic here) before ordering!

Riis

[Rawkabilly]

I've installed Hipshot Ultralites on several Gibson's with excellent results. They can really make a difference on basses with neck-dive. As others have stated, Hipshot build quality is top-notch and they have great customer service.

[CapnSev]

The Hipshot ultralights I put on my Stingray 5 made a huge difference. They took more than a 1/2 pound off the headstock!

[SLIV]

Originally Posted by Zooberwerx

The UL's should be a direct swap-out and require no drilling. A Gotoh GB7 is 3/8" in diameter as is the Hipshot equivalent. Beware: Hipshot also offers the same model in a 1/2" Fender-esque replacement (available with both the Y and cloverleaf patterns). You probably want the HB6Y....check the website:

http://store.hipshotproducts.com/car...oduct_list&c=5

Measure (or post a pic here) before ordering!

Riis

I looked at the website. Are these things $31 A PIECE?! or for a set of four? I've got a feeling it is for each one.... WOW.

[bassgod76]

Originally Posted by SLIV

I looked at the website. Are these things $31 A PIECE?! or for a set of four? I've got a feeling it is for each one.... WOW.

You can go to Bestbassgear.com and pick up a chrome set for $20 each tuner. Hipshot's website is insanely overpriced.

[jamesie]

i´ve installed the hipshot ultralites on my jag now - not only it´s better balanced now (perfect for my taste), they are lots more precise too - i´m very satisfied with the ultralites