Does anyone know if these Pure Vintage Bass Tuning Machines by Fender are a drop in replacement for the Nate Mendel Precision bass? They look like they would work.
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Fender Tuners?
- Thread starter Rnr..........4
- Start date
Ah, okay. But you have to drill new holes for the new tuners.
TV Logo with the long shafts will look a bit off, imo.
and the usa geddy
no the pure vintage aren’t drop in on nate mendel, as fenderoli said.
no the pure vintage aren’t drop in on nate mendel, as fenderoli said.
it’s not that they’re being difficult. the nate mendel is inspired by a certain era which had those tuners and headstock logo. the tuners you are asking about are from an earlier era and that’s just the mounting pattern they are. “it is what it is” situation.
The recreation of the '71 PBass of Nate Mendel should have come with (period correct) the nickel tuners, but come with the "incorrect" later chrome (Schaller) ones.
If ya don’t need them to be Fender or ‘aged’... I changed my Mendel neck to Hipshot HB2’s (drop-in). I just sold the neck- due the ‘shape’ not fitting my hands... but I put Hipshots in all my basses except, ironically, my MIJ Geddy neck! 
Hipshot Machine Head Tuner - HB2 - Best Bass Gear
Hipshot Machine Head Tuner - HB2 - Best Bass Gear
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I am wondering why the op wants to change the tuners. I noticed on my American Original 70s jazz that the G tuning shaft has bent. I had a AO 60s p bass brand new shipped with the same issue and returned it. Read that it’s a common issue with fender tuning shafts.
I have not replaced mine yet cause it still works as intended but seeing it bent sure bothers me on a $2000 bass
I have not replaced mine yet cause it still works as intended but seeing it bent sure bothers me on a $2000 bass
I would imagine like any other production situation, Fender outsources a lot of components and they take what they can get at the best price and most reliable quality and as promised delivery dates. I’ve had to scramble to replace an outside component supplier and it’s no fun. I could see a situation where a minor design change like paddle shape or paddle shaft length could be overlooked if the part we needed yesterday because our current supplier kept delivering excuses rather than components, was available today from a different source.
I added those vintage reverse tuners to my Squier 50s CV I had to drill shallow holes to allow the protruding end of the clips to not lift the tuners out of the headstock, they are very nice, but there will be no turning back
Im also looking for a lightweight tuner replacement for my Nate Mendel...any suggestions for a weight saving drop in?...
No worries. I ended up not getting the Mendel bass in the end. Like the color and all but might just pick up a Vintera instead. The tuners do make a big difference. I have a Player Precision but the tuners don't hold the tune very well sometimes. I could replace with Hipshot I guess. The tuners on the Am Pro series are excellent but I'm a sucker for the vintage look.
