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1954 EB-1 tuner suggestions

N

neili360

May 31, 2010
17
16
72
Eugene, Oregon
#1
I own a 1954 EB-1. Some back history on this bass... I purchased it used about 1974. Mods are: it has been refinished (can barely see the s/n); head stock was repaired, 40 years and holding; the original pickup was rewound but did not last so I replaced with a DiMarzio EB-1; no pick guard and it has no extending end pin. Also before my purchase someone wanted it to be more like Jack Bruce's EB-1 so they put Schaller tuners on it (and cut slits in the case to accommodate!!) and different knobs. It still plays and sounds good.

My question is, with all these mods, should I, for aesthetic reasons, bother to put a set of the reissued EB-1 Kluson tuners on it? About a hundred bucks gets a set, and it would look more like it was designed. Not sure if it would affect the sound. Photo as it is today.

IMG_0485.JPG.jpg
 
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#13
neili360 said:
Well, thanks for all of the feedback. I bought a set. JD, the Kluson line of tuners are reissued to original spec and sold by WD Music. They have a 25% off sale right now so $99 + free shipping. Got the nickel plated version. They state these are exact replacement for the original EB-1.
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just an FYI just installed mine on my 58-EB2 you will have to drill out the hole to accommodate the string, I used a 1/8 size bit.
 
#14
jdthebassman said:
just an FYI just installed mine on my 58-EB2 you will have to drill out the hole to accommodate the string, I used a 1/8 size bit.
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here is an update, installed the tuners and they will not tune up to pitch they slip, put the originals back on they worked fine. I am sending them back and I suggested that they get hipshot to make them. you can guess where they were made, not in the USA like the originals.
 
#17
The tuners came out good. The holes were apparently retrofitted for the Schallers so I ended up needing to re-use those 1/2" bushings instead of the Kluson which are maybe 1/4". When the Schallers were added one screw hole was filled and new one drilled, so I need to reverse that to get it properly seated.
 

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#18
neili360 said:
I own a 1954 EB-1. Some back history on this bass... I purchased it used about 1974. Mods are: it has been refinished (can barely see the s/n); head stock was repaired, 40 years and holding; the original pickup was rewound but did not last so I replaced with a DiMarzio EB-1; no pick guard and it has no extending end pin. Also before my purchase someone wanted it to be more like Jack Bruce's EB-1 so they put Schaller tuners on it (and cut slits in the case to accommodate!!) and different knobs. It still plays and sounds good.

My question is, with all these mods, should I, for aesthetic reasons, bother to put a set of the reissued EB-1 Kluson tuners on it? About a hundred bucks gets a set, and it would look more like it was designed. Not sure if it would affect the sound. Photo as it is today.

View attachment 3222909
Click to expand...

That thing is in REALLY nice shape, looks like it never left the bedroom. And it looks way better with the RI tuners, the others didn't look right. Can you intonate it with that bridge? I have a 65 EB-3 with the same bridge and it played flat, had to buy a replacement bridge which worked out fine.
 
#19
jdthebassman said:
the problem is that they cant handle the string tension on the E&A strings. and on the others you can barely get them in pitch. I have installed ghs short scale strings 95-40. once I put the original tuners on no problem. what gauge are you using? let me know how it comes out.
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Not sure why it did not work JD, sorry man. My strings are D-Addario tapewounds, 50-105, used similar scale Chromes before. Maybe something with the EB-2 neck/scale design? since these were made specifically for EB-1 and banjos. I don't know anything about that gear ratio biz but it all seems stable on mine. I left for six hours after I finished it up and still in tune when I returned. Thanks for the heads up on the holes tho, I was bracing myself. The A was tight but all but the E fit with no mod, and for the E I just removed enough silk to slide the core string through and all was good.
 
#20
bobyoung53 said:
That thing is in REALLY nice shape, looks like it never left the bedroom. And it looks way better with the RI tuners, the others didn't look right. Can you intonate it with that bridge? I have a 65 EB-3 with the same bridge and it played flat, had to buy a replacement bridge which worked out fine.
Click to expand...
Even the refinish is starting to show after 40 years but it still does look pretty good. That is the idea with the bridge and it is okay. The EB thud sort of has a tonal colour of its own so it's usually very playable, tho I mostly just play it at home anymore.
 
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