Tuner broken?

[BassAgent]

The tuner of the D-string on my Yamaha TRB seems to have broken down, all of a sudden (I really don't have a clue what happened, I didn't touch it except to tune it).

It's supposed to look like this (it's the G-string):



But it looks like this:



Do you guys know a solution? Or do I have to buy new tuners?

[wallybill]

Is that a Grover? If it is - you can mail it back to them and they will replace it. I sent one and I got the new one back in a week.

[BassAgent]

No, it's an original Yamaha Japan tuner.

[T-Bird]

Hi.

Hard to tell from the pics as the perspective is often distorted in cheaper cameras lenses when attempting macro, but is the worm shaft bent?

If it's not, and it's just the plastic washers that have taken a bit of a beating, You can probably get a few from your local guitar tech. Seems like someone have crunched them by overtightening the butterfly.

Regards
Sam

[ctmullins]

What model Yamaha is this? MY RBX200F came from the factory with tuners that look exactly like the Gotoh GB7s. These are cheap, and readily available.

Does the post turn at all when you turn the key?

[BassAgent]

TRB5II.

The post turns, mostly. It's sometimes stuck.

[BassAgent]

I'm going to replace the tuners. Except I don't know which ones to get. The current tuners look like this:

[T-Bird]

Hi.

Originally Posted by BassAgent

The current tuners look like this:

Now here's a pic that explains things much better.

There might be a chance that You don't need to replace anything but the washers, if even those.

As You can see, the D tuner worm shaft has moved "upwards" for some reason. That can mean that something is broken inside, but most likely the butterfly screw has just come loose, and let the shaft slide. Then someone has tighten the screw without taking the string off and that has crushed the plastic washers.

Take the string off, take off the butterfly screw, then the butterfly and the washers. Try to move the worm shaft either by rotating the wheel shaft (post), or by pressing the potruding end in. After that, reinstall the washers, the butterfly and the screw. Adjust the screw for desired friction.

That should do the trick.

If it doesn't, then the wheel screw has come loose. That is a good possibility as it seems that the grease cover is ready to pop. While the butterfly is off, move the string post up and down. If there's more than 1mm play, try to tap the post down gently. Chances are that the grease cover will come off. If it does, tighten the wheel screw , add some grease if necessary and reinstall the grease cover.

Regards
Sam

[BassAgent]

Thanks for the tips! Unfortunately, nothing seems to work... One of the washers has decided to break in half and the rest of the tuners aren't what they're supposed to be...

However, I don't know what tuners to buy. Hipshot? Schaller? Gotoh? And if so, which types fit my bass? I've heard that Yamaha hardware is regularly "it just doesn't really fit", just like IKEA. I know you can buy parts at Yamaha, but aren't they super duper expensive?

[T-Bird]

Hi.

Ok. So all the tuners are acting up, not just the "broken" one?

In that case, take one off and measure the sleeve/boss and the thickness of the headstock. Most of the machine head manufacturers have the dimensions listed on their site, or You can ask here.

Just an educated guess, but those look a lot like the "regular" 14mm tuners to me. Since the securing screw ear is symmetrical too, that might line up with the old hole nicely as well.

Regards
Sam

[ctmullins]

Gotoh GB7. I promise. I have these on several of my instruments. Although I must state, the most recent set I bought had thick, straight posts instead of the slimmer, waisted ones. I prefer the waisted ones just for aesthetic reasons, but both work great.

Edit: Looks like these are what you need!

[Zooberwerx]

Try this....

Unscrew the retaining screw, remove the "Y" and washers, take a pic and post. I may have replacements in my vast array of junk. No kidding.

Riis

[DSB1]

This isn't rocket surgery. Try replacing the washers. If that doesn't work replace the tuners. If in doubt measure.

[Musiclogic]

Originally Posted by BassAgent

Thanks for the tips! Unfortunately, nothing seems to work... One of the washers has decided to break in half and the rest of the tuners aren't what they're supposed to be...

However, I don't know what tuners to buy. Hipshot? Schaller? Gotoh? And if so, which types fit my bass? I've heard that Yamaha hardware is regularly "it just doesn't really fit", just like IKEA. I know you can buy parts at Yamaha, but aren't they super duper expensive?

Yamaha Tuners are gotoh compact bass tuners with the Yamaha logo. Gotoh compacts, schaller compacts, and grover compacts will all fit, but Gotoh is the correct replacement or a Jin-Ho(Korea) compact, if the bass is not Made in Japan.

Hope this helps

[BassAgent]

The bass is Made In Japan.

Yamaha seems to ask $150 for a pot, so I don't wanna know what original tuners kost.

Gotoh GB-7 will fit? Positive?