Individual replacement tuner recommendation

Rodger Bryan · #1 10-13-2007, 10:30 PM

Hi, Folks. After a recent thread was closed, I thought I would chime in late to share my experiences with K.C. Strings tuners.

I have a 1940's bass that had worn plate tuners that were slipping all over the pace and were rattling. I looked into the following:
1. Sloane tuners- regarded as some of the best around, with a wicked fine-tuning ratio. very expensive and they were backordered in August due to some manufacturing problem.
2. Jeff Bollbach's- these looked great, but after I called Jeff, he said they were no longer being made.
3. K.C. Strings- these were less expensive than the Sloanes, have a 36:1 ratio(in between the Sloanes and most of the others on the market)

I went with a non-engraved version of the K.C. Strings and have really enjoyed them. They look like fabulous and they do essentially fine-tune, compared to the old 24:1 gears thart were removed. These get high marks from me!
Zachary Martin in RI did a beautiful job repairing an ugly crack in the scroll before installing them.

Don Harris · #2 10-21-2007, 09:31 PM

I went to KC Strings when I was in KC visiting family recently to pick up a set of tuners, but when I tried them on one of their basses, they didn't seem very smooth (one string at least). I wonder if that was a build quality issue or an installation issue. It was enough to give me cold feet, but without Sloanes available I'm not sure what to do. So do yours work smoothly, Rodger?

KSB - Ken Smith · #3 10-21-2007, 09:49 PM

I have had the KCs on 5 of my Basses. One is the 7/8 Shen I have. About 2 years ago I found another similar Tuner from 'The Chicago Group'? and they look similar but with Ebony Handles.

On the KC's, when they work, they work fine. On almost every Bass I have had them on one tuner was tough to turn. I don't know if this develops over time or if it has something to do with the mounting but out of the 5 Basses (4 of which I did the installation) I only recall one Bass that didn't have a problem with one of the Gears.

The Chicago Group ones (not totally sure of the name..Arnold?) seem to work ok but feel about the same as the KC's. Maybe they are made in the same shop, I don't know.

I had the Sloans on one of my Basses and they were sweet. I have had some other Gears that worked great as well but these seems to be made before our time like the original English Baker's for instance, old Mirecourt Gears and even some nice French type ones made in Germany.

I still think the KCs are nice Gears and the fancy handled once look very Royal to me.

Rodger Bryan · #4 10-25-2007, 10:18 AM

Don, The ones I have have seem to have a tight fit between the moving parts. Are they smooth? yes, but they have more resistance than Sloane & Cremonasia tuners I've tried. After having them on for a month and working some graphite lube in there, they seem to have less resistance.

The plate tuners that I had originally slipped if I looked at them, so the extra resistance doesn't bother me.

About the Sloanes- The salesperson at Dave Gage said to check back in mid-October (this was in August when I called) They may be back in stock. The Sloanes were my first choice, but they are considerably more $.
peace,
Rodger

Don Harris · #5 10-25-2007, 11:32 AM

Rodger,

When I talked to the folks at David Gage a few days ago they said they were backordered till the first of the year. I don't think I can wait that long. Thanks for the info on your tuners. I'll probably order from KC Strings.

**Thor** · #6 10-25-2007, 11:37 AM

Hey Rodger, where is Zachary Martin to be found around here? I might have some work for him.

Rodger Bryan · #7 10-25-2007, 01:21 PM

Zachary Martin is in Pawtucket, RI. Google his name for his site. He does excellent work and he was especially patient with my waffling.

**Thor** · #8 10-25-2007, 01:45 PM

I think my guitarist has used that cat, he has an excellent rep
if its the same guy. Thanks a bunch!