Anyone try "Wilkinson" machine tuners? Any good?

[CoffeeLove]

Want to put "black" tuning machines on my budget Sterling Stingray 25ca, but Schaller or Hipsot will be around $200. Just curios if anyone has tried the Wilkinson brand, specifically in black? I purchased super cheap black tuners once, a set of 5 for $25, and they were absolute garbage, stripped out almost immediately and the black finish came off as well.

Thanks

 

[NigelD]

I had that a set on a Jazz. They work fine. The finish will wear off the post if you change strings often.

 

[CoffeeLove]

I had that a set on a Jazz. They work fine. The finish will wear off the post if you change strings often.

OK. I am not worried about the post too much, but rather the machine mechanism not working/turning well or the black finish/color stripping right off the "gear" as it is turned. The super cheap set I bought long ago from China directly ($20 for 5 of them) stripped almost immediately, and the gear paint (or whatever it is) also also came off on the first few turns as if we're just spray painted black.

 

[Lesfunk]

I truly believe that you could find schaller BM tuners set for a better price than $200 if you look around and be patient
Good tuners are worth it IMO.
In fact, I just saw a set of four on eBay new for $85. You could get a single tuner separately and be under $125 I think
Hipshot…well, those are going to be expensive

 

[CoffeeLove]

I truly believe that you could find schaller BM tuners set for a better price than $200 if you look around and be patient
Good tuners are worth it IMO.
In fact, I just saw a set of four on eBay new for $85. You could get a single tuner separately and be under $125 I think
Hipshot…well, those are going to be expensive

Could you provide a link, not seeing them.

 

[Lesfunk]

Could you provide a link, not seeing them.

NEW Schaller Vintage Bass TUNERS for Fender Precision & Jazz Black TK-0791-003 | eBay

 

[Lesfunk]

This is also a quality option
GOTOH GB10 Bass Tuning Machines Tuners - Open Gear - 4L x 1R - Cosmo Black | eBay

 

[SteveCS]

Just be a little cautious with the Wilkinson ones as I don't think that baseplate pattern shown above will fit on the MM headstock.
As for Schaller BM, the OEM ones made for MusicMan have short keys, which are not available retail. The Hipshot HB1 is available with short keys. IMHO the short key hits the MM aesthetic much better than the long key.
Here's my Ray34 with short-key Hipshot HB1 and EBMM with Schaller...

...and some long-key Schaller BM for comparison...

 

[CoffeeLove]

Just be a little cautious with the Wilkinson ones as I don't think that baseplate pattern shown above will fit on the MM headstock.
As for Schaller BM, the OEM ones made for MusicMan have short keys, which are not available retail. The Hipshot HB1 is available with short keys. IMHO the short key hits the MM aesthetic much better than the long key.
Here's my Ray34 with short-key Hipshot HB1 and EBMM with Schaller...
View attachment 4532477
...and some long-key Schaller BM for comparison...
View attachment 4532478

Great info, thank you

 

[Lesfunk]

Great info, thank you

To be fair, I put long key schallers on my sterling and found them to look just fine. It’s only about 1/8” difference