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Cirrus Hipshot tuner problem

zuma

zuma

Dec 21, 2006
2,563
1,903
East Los Angeles
zumaz.com
#1
I have this super annoying rattle on the A string tuner on my Cirrus bolt-on 5. These are the ones with a brushed gold finish. They say "Hipshot Lic" on them. They attach to the back of the neck with one single screw. In an attempt to tighten all screws I discovered exactly where the problem is.

If you wiggle the actual D shaped tuner handle, there is a quite a bit of play. If I strike an open string and make it buzz I simply hold this part of the tuner and the buzz disappears. The wiggle is right where the D shape meets the shaft NOT the side where the screw is. Is there any thing I can do here? I can't see how to get to that part of the tuner.

I figured a replacement was best. I called Peavey and they said it is over $50 for just ONE tuning key. I could try to warranty it but I would rather not deal with the service centers if I don't have to.
 
#2
You have the type of handle (button or peg) as you say, that is inserted between the two halves of the stem? Better known as a lollipop, based on your D shape description. If so, get a vice grip on both sides of the stem and squeeze those puppies tight. Use some thick leather to protect the metal. This worked on an old set of Schallers I have. A tiny drop of super glue might work too.
 
#4
Where the lollipop meets the shaft there is a wiggle. It seems to be loose in one plane only. It moves "up and down." It doesn't seem to move "side to side."

cirrus_hipshot.jpg
 
#6
This doesn't seem like an easy fix. I believe that I've seen other tuners (that have the Schaller-style knob) with a screw that fastens the handle onto the stem but Hipshot makes them differently. Unfortunately, I don't know how to fix this problem and I don't have any similar tuners to study/experiment on.
However, Hipshot has always struck me as a good American company and I believe it would be best to contact them about it. I'm not sure if they are a "Lifetime Warranty" type of company, but I bet if you butter 'em up, they'll send you a replacement piece or pay for you to send it in and get it fixed. Either that or they'll tell you how to do it yourself.
Best of luck to you.
 
#7
Thanks all. I contacted Hipshot and I am awaiting a response.

One UltraLight on their website costs $40 and I assume that's without shipping. This makes Peavey's $50+ price a little bit more reasonable as they usually don't charge shipping on these small items. I am thinking the brushed gold finish is custom for Peavey as the gold on the Hipshot website looks pretty shiny.

I'll update here as soon as I hear anything. I can't wait to get rid of this annoying rattle in an otherwise impeccable instrument.
 
#10
May I assume that tightening the tensioner screw on the opposite side has no effect? Just grasping at straws, mind you. I've been through more than a handful of Hipshot products and never encountered this problem. OTOH, they do have a bad habit of putting an overly-generous gob of Loctite on the tensioner screw during the manufacturing process and then fail to tighten them to spec. leaving a lot of play in the shaft.

Riis
 
#11
Yes, definitely tried the tensioner screw. I certainly made the tuner a lot tighter but the problem remained. I actually received this from Hipshot today:

The Y part of the key is simply pressed on. If you can move the key to make a gap for the glue, that would be perfect. I recommend a thin slow set glue for this and it should only require a drop into the gap. The thin slow set will allow it to creep into the gap and will set-up from there.

They went on to say that if it didn't work that they would replace the key no problem. I am going to give it a shot. This is a player and I just want it it to work without buzzing. I just bought some thin glue and I will report back as soon as the glue dries!
 
#12
Sweet! That worked like a charm. I just hope it doesn't loosen up over time. Quick follow-up question...I used the smallest extension tube I could find but I still managed to overflow a TINY bit of glue at the seam. I have the CA removal fluid. I am just afraid if I use it that some of the gold plating will come off along with the CA. Think it will? What if I just used some of the Micro Mesh type of sanding pads?
 

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