HB7 exploded tuner, Hipshot customer service slow

[rockinrayduke]

I was tuning my E string and it broke. Contacted Hipshot (Oscar) and he was very quick about getting back to me and told me he’d send a replacement tuner. That was at least 3 weeks ago.

I had never seen a tuner break like this but I guess s—t happens. Anyway, still waiting, knowing that Hipshot customer service is a bit slow right now, have had to remind him more than a couple of times. Thought I’d share, wagering that you haven’t see this either.

 

[96tbird]

Yeah, look at the plate. You can see the poor spot weld there and the resulting corrosion: the dark areas.

It happens.

 

[yodedude2]

i've seen them bend and break, but never seen one come apart in that manner.

 

[DCCat]

I was tuning my E string and it broke. Contacted Hipshot (Oscar) and he was very quick about getting back to me and told me he’d send a replacement tuner. That was at least 3 weeks ago.

Oscar is a good dude, normally very responsive. If he's not getting the part to you it's because he's either overwhelmed (likely) or the part isn't available (also pretty likely these days).

 

[matthewbrown]

Oddly, I just had a tuner break, too, on my MTD Kingston Heir. I had strung it with Labella Deep Talkin' Bass strings, and the D string tuner just popped and the string went slack. Now it won't tighten. Fortunately, I'm taking it to the shop anyway for a new set of Bartolini pups. Let's hope there's a tuner to replace it!

 

[Gilmourisgod]

The Hipshot staff are great, Ive called them a couple times, they always respond within a couple days. Maybe try a polite e-mail reminder? Im guessing they are swamped.

 

[Lesfunk]

The last time I spoke with them ( a couple months ago) they did mention they were having supply issues and were waiting for parts

 

[rockinrayduke]

Got the tuner today!

 

[njarrett]

I had the same thing happen to three tuners. They sent a replacement, and then two others from the same set broke at the weld joint. Has to be a bad batch. Currently awaiting a response from Hipshot.

 

[Grinderman]

Welds should never fail like that.

 

[Turnaround]

Welds should never fail like that.

They're not welded, they are flared.

 

[Grinderman]

They're not welded, they are flared.

Makes sense. I've never used Hipshot hardware but none of the other makes of bass tuning machines that I know firsthand are welded.

 

[Lord whiplash]

I had the exact same issue with my HB7's and the other three sets i have on my other basses are showing signs of the same thing, the mounted blocks are separating from the base plate. Not wanting to waste my time with HS customer service i fixed them myself by grinding down the back of the plate where the blocks mount to, cleaned the spot with 99% alcohol, applied flux to the area and applied soldered to it with tin/silver solder then grinded that flat. Worked like a charm!
I also had a problem with the 4-40 X 1/4" button head tension screws, they kept coming loose when i tuned. The problem i found was they were too short at 1/4" to get into the threading enough to grip the hole they are screwed into. Got some 5/16 length screws and that fixed the problem. Hipshot really needs to re commit to their R&D and Q.C dept. As expensive as these tuners are we shouldn't have to dealing with these design defects.