5-String Machine Heads/ Tuners

[Ross Gibson]

Hi folks,
Apologies in advance if this has been asked before. I did conduct a search and found nothing.

I was looking at purchasing some Schaller 3+2 tuners to install on a new bass, but I noticed in the spec sheet that they are good only out to .120 string thickness.
I contacted Schaller and the reply was " sorry, wont work. Try something else". Brief and to the point.
This seems kinda odd to me given that the minimum I have seen is 0.125, and I tend to use a .135 string for my 'B' on my 5s anyway.
I have Schallers on my two Spectors and have had no issue whatsoever, acknowledging both are 20 years old now and perhaps the model/design has changed.
Any clues? Should I go with the Schallers anyway?
Any advice is welcome, except for 'use a 4-string' (I have plenty of those).
Cheers

 

[Bruce Johnson]

Hi folks,
Apologies in advance if this has been asked before. I did conduct a search and found nothing.

I was looking at purchasing some Schaller 3+2 tuners to install on a new bass, but I noticed in the spec sheet that they are good only out to .120 string thickness.
I contacted Schaller and the reply was " sorry, wont work. Try something else". Brief and to the point.
This seems kinda odd to me given that the minimum I have seen is 0.125, and I tend to use a .135 string for my 'B' on my 5s anyway.
I have Schallers on my two Spectors and have had no issue whatsoever, acknowledging both are 20 years old now and perhaps the model/design has changed.
Any clues? Should I go with the Schallers anyway?
Any advice is welcome, except for 'use a 4-string' (I have plenty of those).
Cheers

The "tail" of the string is the part out at the end, about 6" long, usually wrapped with colored silk thread. That's what goes through the hole/slot in the tuner post. The tail is smaller in diameter than the outer wrap of the string. You should never be trying to put the 0.135 outer wrap through the tuner posts.

A 0.135 string will work just fine with those tuners.

 

[96tbird]

Just like Bruce said.

You may find that you’ll have to put a wrap or two (more than you expect) on the post to get down to the narrow tail of the string to fit into the tuner post, but once the string is seated it will all be ok.

 

[Ross Gibson]

Thanks Bruce and tbird. Really appreciate the replies. I was aware of the tapering etc, but wasn't sure about the overall tension based on the string diameter. I also find it interesting that the manufacturer half-answered my question without the option of covering what you two did. Cheers R