Wilkinson Tuners: What's your opinion?

dragoon419 · #1 07-05-2009, 02:14 PM

Hey,

I need to replace a 5 string set of tuners on my Thumb 5 string and am looking at Wilkinson open-backed tuners, as the Hipshot are a little pricey. I haven't been able to find much information on the quality of Wilkinson's tuners, though I've heard their bridges -- both guitar and bass -- are quite good.

This is to all on this forum who use, or have used, Wilikinson tuners:

What is your opinion of them?

Thanks for any response.

GregBillHill · #2 07-05-2009, 03:04 PM

Hello mate

I've got Hipshot tuners on my Custom 4 string, and Wilkinson tuners on my 6 string.

There is kind of no comparison that the Hipshots are significantly more accurate, but you're paying for what you get.

The Wilkinson tuners are also pretty good, they just don't feel as secure as the Hipshot ones.

If you have the choice, go Hipshot, but if you are watching your bank balance, the Wilkinson's are also an adequate replacement, without a doubt.

Craig_S · #3 07-05-2009, 03:39 PM

The plating on my Wilkinsons isn't the best, but they turn smoothly and do the job I need them to do. They're better than Mexi Fender tuners, to me. I think they're a good choice, for the price. I also have Hipshots. Hipshot (classic style; not the light models) tuners are great, but they're a bit heavier than stock because of the design.

Gopher Bob · #4 07-05-2009, 11:37 PM

I put these on a bass I've been using lately....

http://cgi.ebay.com/Wilkinson-Bass-T...QQcmdZViewItem

the gold open gear tuners

They hold tune perfectly. The issue with the plating not being durable is probably true but I have only had these tuners for two months so I'm not sure. As far as tuners I've only used sperzel, these wilkinsons and whatever stock gotoh/grover/generic tuners are on most lower end ibanez basses of the past 5 years. If you are looking for an inexpensive replacement that will do exactly what tuners are supposed to do then the wilkinson will be fine. If you are looking for fancy tuners to complement your bass for many years to come then I would spend the extra money on some fancy tuners.

I have no regrets/negative opinions about them and they are much nicer than the tuners that came stock on my SX bass (but that was expected).

dragoon419 · #5 07-06-2009, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gopher Bob

I put these on a bass I've been using lately....

http://cgi.ebay.com/Wilkinson-Bass-T...QQcmdZViewItem

the gold open gear tuners

They hold tune perfectly. The issue with the plating not being durable is probably true but I have only had these tuners for two months so I'm not sure. As far as tuners I've only used sperzel, these wilkinsons and whatever stock gotoh/grover/generic tuners are on most lower end ibanez basses of the past 5 years. If you are looking for an inexpensive replacement that will do exactly what tuners are supposed to do then the wilkinson will be fine. If you are looking for fancy tuners to complement your bass for many years to come then I would spend the extra money on some fancy tuners.

I have no regrets/negative opinions about them and they are much nicer than the tuners that came stock on my SX bass (but that was expected).

That's exactly what I want!

In chrome.

3506string · #6 07-06-2009, 01:14 AM

I've been running some on my Brice Z6 for a couple weeks Mine needed to be oiled before putting on but after that they've been fine. I bought mine as a stall until I can get some hipshots but I'll probably run these until I see a need to change them.

dragoon419 · #7 07-06-2009, 09:16 AM

They look great.

They seem to have the narrower buttons, versus the slightly chunkier ones on my Thumb. I've been wondering about that too.

Gopher Bob · #8 07-06-2009, 10:09 AM

yea the buttons are the same size as the grover/gotoh/generic tuners found on most basses and the screw placement is the same.

dragoon419 · #9 07-06-2009, 10:27 AM

The set that you ordered, did it have 3 bass side and 2 treble side tuners?

Oh, and are the Wilkinson's reversable like the Hipshots?

dragoon419 · #10 07-06-2009, 12:44 PM

Well, I just ordered a 5 string set from eBay; $31.99 USD. Pretty good.

kjpollo · #11 07-06-2009, 01:16 PM

I used 2 per side black ones on my Clement Custom. No issues-they work like they're supposed to. They hold onto the string and they stay in tune.

Is it just me or does anyone else think that tuners are like an umpire/referee in sports? You REALLY only notice them when something goes horribly wrong!!

ashtray · #12 07-06-2009, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kjpollo

Is it just me or does anyone else think that tuners are like an umpire/referee in sports? You REALLY only notice them when something goes horribly wrong!!

Since I tune my bass every time I pick it up - well, I check the tuning at least... most times only 1 string is out, if any. Anyhow - I micro-tune my bass, and especially when I'm setting intonation, I need the tuning peg to be dead accurate with no slop... so I really appreciate tuners that work smoothly, hold tuning, and have no play to them.

That said I have a bunch of basses with cheap stock tuners on them, and I deal with them without issue. It's usually only on my nicer basses that I notice "wow, these feel so *nice*!" b/c of the higher quality tuners.

rx jr. · #13 11-29-2009, 03:58 AM

I just ordered the sealed ones in gold, a 5-string set in 3+2. same price as the chrome ones! awesome! so $38 with shipping.... that makes each tuner $7.60!

ProfGumby · #14 12-04-2009, 09:04 PM

I put a set of Wilkinson sealed tuners on my 5 string. they are really nice. Very smooth and held in tune just fine. I would have no reason to think the other tuners from them are any less as nice.

Jason_A · #15 12-20-2009, 10:26 PM

I just put a set of the open gear tuners on a bass I'm building. I also have the Hipshot's on another bass. As others have mentioned, there's a noticeable difference in terms of the smoothness and tightness between the Wilkinsons and the real deal. The Hipshots feel like they are machined to a much tighter tolerance. I haven't pulled them off to compare directly, but I also suspect that the Hipshots are probably lighter weight. That said, the Wilkinson's were the cheapest tuners I could find that seemed like they would at least be "decent", and I think that would be their selling point. From my minimal experience with them so far... A) it is possible to get the bass into tune without too much fuss and B) they seem to hold the tune just fine. The fact that they're 1/3 the price of the Hipshots makes them a bargain for 90% of the performance.

fenderfunker · #16 12-22-2009, 06:40 PM

I have gold Wilkinsons on my P bass. They are a big improvement on the Japanese ones that came with the '62 re-issue neck. I like their gold bridges too.

throbgod13 · #17 05-28-2010, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rx jr.

I just ordered the sealed ones in gold, a 5-string set in 3+2. same price as the chrome ones! awesome! so $38 with shipping.... that makes each tuner $7.60!

where did you order your set from??

Greevus · #18 05-28-2010, 04:12 PM

I think Wilkinson are great for the cost. Especially compared to Hipshot. They get their name cuz your wallet takes a shot!

jworrellbass · #19 05-28-2010, 07:53 PM

Ive used Wilkenson on a few builds, they're ok. I used Gotoh GB7's on my latest. Gotohs are a few dollars more, but worth it. I'm going to use Hipshots on my next project.
I thought Wilkey's black plating wasn't that good. It started to show wear fairly quick. I used them on 3 different builds and they all did the same thing.

rx jr. · #20 10-07-2010, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by throbgod13

where did you order your set from??

ebay