1983 USA Fender: replacement tuners with no drilling?

[the art guy]

I've got an '83 American Fender P Bass, and I'm considering replacing a couple parts to make it more my taste as a player, but I don't want to affect resale (in other words, I want to be able to put it back to stock with no new holes or anything).

Is there a way for me to determine what tuners would fit, like maybe Hipshot Ultralites, or possible AV Fender reverse tuners? I'd like to be able to know without buying them in advance if possible. Here's a stock image of what the '83 standard ones look like.

[the art guy]

Oh, it just occurred to me that maybe this is in the wrong forum. I guess if someone needs to move it, that's fine. Not sure.

[Buskman]

What exactly don't you care for with the current tuners on there?

And I'm not 100% sure, but would the newer Hipshot-designed tuners on the 2008-current Am Std basses work? I'm thinking they would...

[mazdah]

Those tuners are one of the best (or even THE BEST) tuners Fender ever put on their basses. Heavy, perfectly staying in tune.

I don't recommend changing them.

[WoodyJ]

I recently replaced the stock tuners that came on my American Special with the taller vintage-stye tuners that come on the Vintage Reissue basses.

On these, drilling is required (4 holes for each tuner) and the back of the headstock has to be notched in two spots under each tuner because of the way they are made.

Functionally, your tuners are fine. I changed mine mainly for looks. In your case I'd recommend you leave the original tuners in place since you have a Fullerton-era bass and they are holding their value very well. Most buyers of these want them 100% original.

Here's the vintage reverse tuners:



The back side (on a different bass):

[bassclef112]

Originally Posted by mazdah

Those tuners are one of the best (or even THE BEST) tuners Fender ever put on their basses. Heavy, perfectly staying in tune.

I don't recommend changing them.

+1. Those are the same tuners that were on the Elite basses and made by Schaller. World class with a unique footprint. I'd leave this bass as is.

[lowphatbass]

Originally Posted by mazdah

Those tuners are one of the best (or even THE BEST) tuners Fender ever put on their basses. Heavy, perfectly staying in tune.

I don't recommend changing them.

+1

Had them on my '83 Jazz as well. If you don't care for them that much you could always pick-up another neck. But do be careful, some of the finishes are pretty thick and that body can be prone to finish cracking around the pocket.

[A-Step-Towards]

AV reverse tuners will not work, you wil have to drill a total of 16 or more holes. Those tuners on yours are not held in place by screws, the nut on the front of the tuner along with a pin on the back of it that goes into a hole holds it all in place.