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Hipshot Bass Extender installation

Discussion in 'Hardware, Setup & Repair [BG]' started by bluntmonk, Jan 1, 2015.

  1. Jan 1, 2015 #1
    bluntmonk

    bluntmonk

    Jan 1, 2015
    I bought a hipshot bass extender key (BT7) for my stock 2005-2006 Fender MIM pbass (according to the serial number). I bought it new from Tom Lee in Vancouver in 2008.

    The tuning key for the extender does not match the original stock tuning keys. The extender key is larger with a slightly different shape. The groove on the end of the string post is shallower and slightly different shape. The screw holes also do not match up with the screw holes from the original bass tuner, so I figure I'll have to drill some new holes.

    Are these things normal, or did I order the wrong key?

    Sorry for grammar etc I'm typing on a tablet touch screen
     
  2. Jan 1, 2015 #2
    sissy kathy

    sissy kathy Back to Bass-ics Gold Supporting Member

    Apr 21, 2014
    Arbutus, MD
    I ordered the BT2, the holes line up but the slot for the string is deeper and the top of the post is square rather than round but it does match the hipshot tuners. I guess if you want everything to match you need to change all the tuners to hipshots.
     
  3. Jan 2, 2015 #3
    bluntmonk

    bluntmonk

    Jan 1, 2015
    Did you install it on a MIM Precision? I don't really care if it looks different - just trying to avoid drilling too many holes that's all.
     
  4. Jan 2, 2015 #4
    sissy kathy

    sissy kathy Back to Bass-ics Gold Supporting Member

    Apr 21, 2014
    Arbutus, MD
    No, I decided I don't want to install it at this time. so its sitting in my parts box.
     
  5. Jan 2, 2015 #5
    bluntmonk

    bluntmonk

    Jan 1, 2015
    Cool - I called Hipshot and left a message with them. Hopefully they'll get back to me soon
     
  6. Jan 3, 2015 #6
    oysteivi

    oysteivi

    Aug 10, 2013
    Trondheim, Norway
    My BT7 fit perfectly on a blacktop precision (MIM) and a MIM fretless jazz. Looked the part, too.

    I now have it mounted on my Squier Matt Freeman, where it didn't drop right in. The worst part of the install was that I had to go and buy the right drill bit for the pilot holes.. The install itself took me 30 minutes to an hour, because I'm not very talented at woodworking, and I was being really really careful not to make any big mistakes. Also, two of the holes I had to make were annoyingly close to the original pilot holes, so I had to drill at a slight angle away from the old hole to avoid slipping into it and to make a secure seating for the screw.

    Now that you mention it, I see that my tuner looks slightly out of place, too. It sticks up less, and the head is larger and differently shaped. Since I didn't notice it when installing, I doubt anyone in the audience will ever notice, and it's certainly not going to bother me.
     
  7. Jan 3, 2015 #7
    bluntmonk

    bluntmonk

    Jan 1, 2015
    The BT7 head has a larger surface area than those that came with my MIM P-bass, and if I were to use the original bass peg head it would be very noticeable. Also the bushing that I got with it is slightly smaller than the original (diameter on the hundreds of an inch difference) so it slides in and out of the peg hole pretty easily. I ended up drilling new screw holes and trying to install it, but they were slightly off from my markings which caused the string post to be slightly off-center as well. When I tried tuning, the string post would get hung up on the sub-plate assembly - nothing quite like buggering up a few screw holes to learn a lesson! I have since filled in the holes and I don't care if they'll be visible. When you drilled the holes, did you clamp the sub-plate assembly onto the bass head to make sure you drilled in the right place?

    I've read some positive things about Hipshot support so I suspect that if I send them the measurements and photos they may point me to the correct model.
     
  8. Jan 3, 2015 #8
    wvbass

    wvbass Supporting Member

    Mar 1, 2004
    West Virginia
    I think it is a BT7 that is installed on my '03 Highway 1 Precision. It was a drop in replacement. There is something odd here; you should post pictures of the headstock, machine heads, and your BT7.
     
  9. Jan 3, 2015 #9
    oysteivi

    oysteivi

    Aug 10, 2013
    Trondheim, Norway
    I just used a tool that is apparently called an "awl" in English (screwdriver-like thing with a pointy end). First to mark the screw positions through the holes in the base plate, and then after removing the plate to expand the holes slightly to avoid drill bit slippage. Seemed to work well enough.
     
  10. Jan 4, 2015 #10
    bluntmonk

    bluntmonk

    Jan 1, 2015


    Image descriptions:
    1. Headstock with no tuner. The stock holes have the darker outline around them. I have filled in all holes with wood dowels and glue.
    2. Headstock with sub-plate assembly. Note how the string post hole in the sub-plate assembly doesn't line up with the tuner hole in the headstock when I line it up with the top-left screw hole. None of the other screw holes line up.
    3. String post and swivel plate assembly.

    I double-checked the packaging and it all labelled as BT7.

    It's Sunday so I don't expect to get any reply from Hipshot until sometime next week or whatever.
     
  11. Jan 4, 2015 #11
    wvbass

    wvbass Supporting Member

    Mar 1, 2004
    West Virginia
  12. Jan 8, 2015 #12
    bluntmonk

    bluntmonk

    Jan 1, 2015
    Confirmed with Hipshot and by measurements that a BT3 is an exact fit
     
    oysteivi likes this.