A little help needed, please.

[jworrellbass]

I posted in "the dumbest mistake you've ever made". I drilled a 3/4" hole instead of a 9/16" hole for my tuners. I was looking at Hipshot tuners and I see they sell a 1/2" ultralight tuner which requires a 11/16" hole. Has anyone used these, if so could you tell me if they will work. I can always fill in the with a 3/4" dowel and redrill. I just need to know if the tuner (back and front washer) will cover my 3/4" idiot mistake. Thanks in advance.

[Dirk Diggler]

I think the front should be fine, but the back might cause the issue. I had a similar Doh, a while back and just used nice little black fiber washers that worked great with back of the black tuners.
I can't say for sure either way as I don't recall which size I used but I'm sure they were ultra lites.

You could always call Hipshot and ask them for the exact specs, or even email them, Jason usually responds in a day or so.

Good luck,
Dirk

[jworrellbass]

Thanks Dirk,

I was freaking out and pissed when I posted. I tried to use a holesaw and fill in the holes with scrap pieces I have laying around, no good on that. So I thought I would ask some TBers first, I also tried to google and find some dimensions, but no luck with that.

[dmusic148]

I'm afraid the Hipshots won't cover it. You can see drawings if you select 'Downloads' from their site, then 'Product dimensions.'
The problem, as you will see, is that the narrow part of the body is only .072" wide. The whole base is rather small, so oversized holes are a no-no.

[jworrellbass]

Yea, I just checked and all 3 of the tuners on that sheet are
.72, I guess I'll have a good cry and think of something else. Thanks.

[dmusic148]

If you were willing/able to use 'HB' style machines, AND dowel/redrill, the large back plates would cover the backside, and I'm pretty sure the pressed-in front bushing has a large enough flange to cover the front. You'd need (obviously) the flange diameter to be at least .750", call Hipshot to confirm. Dimensions for this part are not given in the download area.
Be aware that Hipshot uses aluminum for it's string posts, so these are quite a bit lighter that standard Fender style units, but of course not as light as Ultralights.

[jworrellbass]

I just sent Hipshot an email and descriped my problem, hopefully Jason has got an answer.

If not I'm using black hardware, I think I can get some 3/4" washers, drill out the center to 9/16" and paint them. I was at Home Depot earlier and they sell oak 3/4" dowels. I should be able to cut the dowel and glue the washers to them, set them in the head stock after I sand and finish. It all sounds do-able, but who knows.

It just sucks doing all this work and then doing a really dumb thing like this.

[jworrellbass]

Well for those of you who care, Schaller's bml tuner is 1.02" wide in the back and I think the front washer is slightly larger than 3/4". YEAH!!!!! I feel so good now!

[pilotjones]

Glad to hear it. I was going to suggest dowelling, shaving 1/16 from th backside, and applying a veneer.

[jworrellbass]

I thought about doing that, the problem with that is the face of the headstock has a abalone inlay and the back is the continuation of the 7 piece neck. Don't get me wrong I've come to far not to try a veneer, Thanks for your suggestions. I just glad that Schaller make a tuner that wide for people like me. I think I'll put a piece of blue tape on my 9/16" bit. Or next time I'll just look at the bit first.

John

[Dirk Diggler]

Well on the bright side I'm betting you'll never do that again.
You know I've found it's one of the fun things with building is improvising your way out of trouble.
Congrats on finding a solution.
Dirk

[pilotjones]

Maybe the kind of fun where too much fun is a bad thing!

[Ric5]

I will sometimes drill the holes slightly undersized and then expand them as needed.