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Hipshot Bass Xtender...do you use one?
- Thread starter streetknight
- Start date
- Jul 11, 2006
- 433
- 12
- Disclosures
- Tech Director, dBm Pro Audio Services, New York
They are problem free, as long as you make sure that all of the friction points, including the nut and saddle slots, are lubed. Also, switching to a .105 E string helps the detuned string sound a lot. .100 has just about adequate tension for D. Any lower gets like wet spaghetti.
Oh yeah, what happens if you need to tune the whole bass down a half step? Just tune like normal or do you have to set up the Hipshot again?
Every time you change tuning you'll most likely need to set up the Xtender before the gig (or between sets).
They also sell a two-step Xtender as well as the usual one-step, so you can use two different drop tunings of your choice.
I've seen a bass that the owner installed Xtenders for every string, enabling a very quick tuning change.
It would take longer to set up naturally, and you would need to have a bass with a very good neck/body weight ratio or have to deal with neck dive, but it is possible.
They also sell a two-step Xtender as well as the usual one-step, so you can use two different drop tunings of your choice.
I've seen a bass that the owner installed Xtenders for every string, enabling a very quick tuning change.
It would take longer to set up naturally, and you would need to have a bass with a very good neck/body weight ratio or have to deal with neck dive, but it is possible.
I can't see any downside personally, if you use any drop tunings.
They're not particularly expensive, usually mount using the stock holes, and give you a little extra range if you need it.
They're not particularly expensive, usually mount using the stock holes, and give you a little extra range if you need it.
Andy Brown
Commercial User
- Jul 23, 2004
- 5,675
- 312
- Disclosures
- Founder/Owner: Wing Instruments
I use them, all the basses that I use regularly have one installed.
It's easy to install and use. The tuning may drift a bit over time, so I do check and readjust from time to time... but I'm talking maybe once a week, not with every use (that would make it useless). You can adjust it before a gig in 2 minutes, and it'll work fine though the gig.
I have them on my fretted & fretless Jazz basses, and will have another once I figure out how to make it fit on my ATK.
I always check mine just before leaving the house for a gig.
That seems to be all you ever need to do except periodic lubing, generally when I replace the strings.
Fits the newer 4003 headstock perfectly:
That seems to be all you ever need to do except periodic lubing, generally when I replace the strings.
Fits the newer 4003 headstock perfectly:
JAUQO III-X
Inactive
No, it does add a bit of weight but nothing appreciable.
The added weight is negligible.
I have one on every 4 banger I have, I find them absolutely essential. Slick piece of engineering.
I have one on every 4 banger I have, I find them absolutely essential. Slick piece of engineering.
