Fender Mustang Club

[Greywoulf]

Nice! Now your bass won't be heavy and your wallet won't be light.

Well tonight I ordered some Hipshot HB6c 1/2" chrome Ultralights from Musicians Friend. On sale for $100 for a set of 4, it matches the Sweetwater comp amount... Didn't want chrome ones at first, but I decided to go with the sale as the finish isn't all that important to me. Also chrome tuners will match the Fender string tree... Should be able to get this Mustang under 7lbs then!
Enjoy,
Greywoulf

 

[DavesnothereCA]

Well tonight I ordered some Hipshot HB6c 1/2" chrome Ultralights from Musicians Friend. On sale for $100 for a set of 4, it matches the Sweetwater comp amount... Didn't want chrome ones at first, but I decided to go with the sale as the finish isn't all that important to me. Also chrome tuners will match the Fender string tree... Should be able to get this Mustang under 7lbs then!
Enjoy,
Greywoulf

~
Hate to rain on a parade and all, but are they these ? :

https://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/hipshot-hb6c-1-2-bass-tuning-machine-set

If they are, then [ Danger, Will Robinson ! ] you ordered the lesser 'licensed' model, and should cancel.

Any seller who does not specify USA Hipshot is selling the offshore made licensed ones, for which $100 US per set is not even that good a price.

They are not reversible, and they are not as lightweight as USA Hipshots.

USA Hipshots have 'Hipshot USA' forged into the housing, so the pics are a dead giveaway as well.

There have been threads here in the past comparing the two classes of Hipshot Ultralite tuners.

Hipshot makes money no matter which ones you buy, so keep that in mind when you read that they defend both types :

Invalid Link Removed
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[HotelX]

~
Are they these ? :

https://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/hipshot-hb6c-1-2-bass-tuning-machine-set

If they are, then [ Danger, Will Robinson ! ] you ordered the lesser 'licensed' model, and should cancel.

Any seller who does not specify USA Hipshot is selling the offshore made licensed ones, for which $100 US per set is not even that good a price.

They are not reversible, and they are not as lightweight as USA Hipshots.

USA Hipshots have 'Hipshot USA' forged into the housing, so the pics are a dead giveaway as well.

There have been threads here in the past comparing the two classes of Hipshot Ultralite tuners.

Hipshot makes money no matter which ones you buy, so keep that in mind when you read that they defend both types :

Invalid Link Removed
~

I had some of the licensed hipshots fail on me and hipshot sent me replacements for free with no hassle. They were on a bass I bought new in 2015.

 

[SoulReflection]

I had some of the licensed hipshots fail on me and hipshot sent me replacements for free with no hassle. They were on a bass I bought new in 2015.

Their customer service is excellent.

 

[Greywoulf]

~
Hate to rain on a parade and all, but are they these ? :
https://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/hipshot-hb6c-1-2-bass-tuning-machine-set
If they are, then [ Danger, Will Robinson ! ] you ordered the lesser 'licensed' model, and should cancel.
Any seller who does not specify USA Hipshot is selling the offshore made licensed ones, for which $100 US per set is not even that good a price.
~

Thanks for the (good) ~rain~ .... I appreciate it, and I did cancel the order. The licensed ones trouble me because their 1/2" tuners have a different hole size rating than the USA ones and I don't want to mess with adjusting stuff for that! Also why would I wanna get zinc replacement tuners when the heavier zinc is what's on the Mustang now??
I think the MF guys are less than honest by not stating that their sale item is not the genuine USA Hipshot product!
Greywoulf

 

[Greywoulf]

OK, I ordered a set direct from Hipshot. Same thing, (cost a little more), chrome 1/2" HB6L, only this time Lollipop handles. However on the Hipshot site, while they do say USA Hipshot Ultralights, and also "Made in USA", the picture showing the tuner doesn't show any name forged into it's housing... So I hope I'm still getting the right ones here?
Greywoulf

 

[SoulReflection]

Thanks for the (good) ~rain~ .... I appreciate it, and I did cancel the order. The licensed ones trouble me because their 1/2" tuners have a different hole size rating than the USA ones and I don't want to mess with adjusting stuff for that! Also why would I wanna get zinc replacement tuners when the heavier zinc is what's on the Mustang now??
I think the MF guys are less than honest by not stating that their sale item is not the genuine USA Hipshot product!
Greywoulf

Yes, they know the difference so why not say so in their posting?

 

[DavesnothereCA]

I had some of the licensed hipshots fail on me and hipshot sent me replacements for free with no hassle. They were on a bass I bought new in 2015.

Their customer service is excellent.

~
Good customer service is a plus, but a bigger plus is a product which does not fail.

I'm willing to pay [somewhat] more for that.
~

 

[DavesnothereCA]

Thanks for the (good) ~rain~ .... I appreciate it, and I did cancel the order. The licensed ones trouble me because their 1/2" tuners have a different hole size rating than the USA ones and I don't want to mess with adjusting stuff for that! Also why would I wanna get zinc replacement tuners when the heavier zinc is what's on the Mustang now?? - I think the MF guys are less than honest by not stating that their sale item is not the genuine USA Hipshot product!
Greywoulf

~
That's right too.

IIRC, we discussed the 'hole' difference recently, possibly just a few posts upthread.

Yes, there are multiple reasons not choose the licensed Ultralites.

One seller of many Hipshot tuners on eBay is 'sporthitech'.

Example ad : Hipshot Ultralite LIC Tuner HB6C 1/2 Chrome - 4 Inline Set Auth Dealer | eBay

They sell both classes of Ultralites, for decent prices, and they state clearly which is which.

I'm considering dealing with them when I get around to pulling the trigger.

Note also in the example ad from 'sporthitech', that if you DID want to knowingly buy the Licensed Hipshot Ultralites, that they sell them for a full third less than the unspecified but also Licensed ones at Musician's Friend.
~

 

[DavesnothereCA]

OK, I ordered a set direct from Hipshot. Same thing, (cost a little more), chrome 1/2" HB6L, only this time Lollipop handles. However on the Hipshot site, while they do say USA Hipshot Ultralights, and also "Made in USA", the picture showing the tuner doesn't show any name forged into it's housing... So I hope I'm still getting the right ones here?
Greywoulf

~
Is it THIS page ? :

USA Ultralite® Bass Tuning Machine 1/2

I noticed this too last night, but figured that we could trust the maker [in this instance at least].

Then you mentioned it and I took another look.

In the the default pic, at first glance, the housing looks to be solid grey.

It IS hard to see, but the lettering is there [same on the 3/8" page].

Me thinks that crappy photography or poor web authoring is at play, nothing worse.

Also, there are thumbnails for multiple pics showing at first in my browser for that page, and if I click on one before the page fully loads, I can see the tuners in another colour, but if I wait for the page to complete loading, the other pics mysteriously vanish, unless I reload the page - rinse and repeat.

Again, strange web authoring.

I would say that all you are out now is whatever extra that these tuners cost you, and BTW, that eBay seller's price for the USA tuners is pretty aggressive Hipshot Ultralite USA Tuner HB6Y 1/2 Satin Chrome - 2x2 Set Auth Dealer | eBay as it also is for the licensed ones.

The downside is that they do not have them in all styles and colours at present.

But remember that the USA Ultralite models are reversible, so you could order them for a 2+2 or a treble/LH config, and reverse some or all of the shafts.

I have not personally done this, but the info is out there as to how, involving an Allen key or a small screwdriver - I forget which at present.
~

 

[Greywoulf]

Well, I figure I paid maybe $35 or so more for my USA Ultralight lollipops by going to Hipshot direct, but then I don't hafta fuss with reversing any shafts when I get them either. Also I got the lollipop handles I wanted, which not too many online or ebay dealers appear to have in stock... I did find one interesting site I was considering using but then it turned out to be buy the only 2 of these we have now, and we'll put you on a list for when the other 2 come in. I don't have the patience for that stuff; I'd rather pay a bit more to get quick delivery and be done with it!
Thanks again for all your assistance here guys,
(And I love all these silly emojis here, y'know?)
Greywoulf

PS: And wouldn't ya know it; my my LaBella Flats-MUS strings just came in now too! But I'm gonna hafta wait patiently to install them after the Hipshots arrive, as I don't want to remove and reinstall new strings twice so close together...

 

[DavesnothereCA]

....PS: And wouldn't ya know it; my my LaBella Flats-MUS strings just came in now too! But I'm gonna hafta wait patiently to install them after the Hipshots arrive, as I don't want to remove and reinstall new strings twice so close together...

~
Might be bad karma or something if you did that ! [speaking of emoji overload, BTW]

And I don't think that I've ever owned a bass with lollipop tuners so far - had all of the other shapes though.

Hmmmm.... Those might be a sweet change.
~

 

[SoulReflection]

~
Might be bad karma or something if you did that ! [speaking of emoji overload, BTW]

And I don't think that I've ever owned a bass with lollipop tuners so far - had all of the other shapes though.

Hmmmm.... Those might be a sweet change.
~

Ha, you haven't lived until you have had a lollipop or four .

 

[Greywoulf]

~
Might be bad karma or something if you did that ! [speaking of emoji overload, BTW]
And I don't think that I've ever owned a bass with lollipop tuners so far - had all of the other shapes though.
Hmmmm.... Those might be a sweet change.
~

Karma unraveling and putting one at loose ends maybe?
You've never had any lollipops? -How sad.....
But I've never had any Mustangs before either, so don't feel bad...

 

[don21480]

Anyone changed the pickguard on a Squier Surf Green Mustang? Show us a photo!

 

[felis]

This is a 6 string guitar but it gives you an idea of how tort looks with surf green:

Squier Bullet Mustang with speckled brown tortoise pickguard.

 

[Greywoulf]

This is a 6 string guitar but it gives you an idea of how tort looks with surf green:

Squier Bullet Mustang with speckled brown tortoise pickguard.

Looks nice on that guitar! -But I'd dislike it on my Squire CV Mustang bass because it's two 'lil pups would almost disappear in a pickguard as dark as that tort. -And I really like the way they make this bass look different from most basses. Without having those tiny pups standout clearly IMO the look of the CV Mustang bass loses some of it's distinct character...
Enjoy,
Greywoulf

 

[don21480]

I like tort on surf green! thanks -

 

[mongo2]

Looks nice on that guitar! -But I'd dislike it on my Squire CV Mustang bass because it's two 'lil pups would almost disappear in a pickguard as dark as that tort.

Interesting, the thing I like about tort, black MOTS or solid black 'guards is they make black pickups less conspicuous.

 

[TheOtherSteveM]

Anyone changed the pickguard on a Squier Surf Green Mustang? Show us a photo!

I changed the mint pickguard from my p/j to a white pearloid, to give an idea of what that would look like. Once I was done, I took a step back and gave it a chef’s kiss. I thought it was the perfect match.