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Hipshot Ultralight VS. Gotoh Res-O-Lite tuners

#23
jmceachern36 said:
On the Res o lites there is a way to adjust the tension. They come with an allen wrench to do so. I had them on 2 basses and never had to adjust them though.
Click to expand...

While this is a GB9 -- the 640 also employs the same 'stiffness' adjusting allen screw.
Gotoh_GB9_03.jpg
 
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#25
I like the Gotohs if for no other reason than the look. They are more authentic to the original. I think the Hipshots look at bit out of place on a vintage style bass.

I have them on both of my Sadowsky fivers, and they are great in terms of function, but the larger back plates seem to look more "right" IMO.

In terms of quality or function, I have had excellent experiences with most all products from both makers.
 
#26
Chasarms said:
I like the Gotohs if for no other reason than the look. They are more authentic to the original. I think the Hipshots look at bit out of place on a vintage style bass.
Click to expand...

+1
Gotoh's 640s are a faithful reproduction, with variances (from the original Kluson design) made for the sake of improved function. They still look 'right' sprouting up from the Fender headstock. (yes, I'm one of the wackos that cares about these things) :D

I've not used the Hipshots, but I imagine they're a great tuner.

By chance, anybody know the weights of the two tuners, for comparison?
 
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#28
KingRazor said:
You can get the Hipshots for less and they're lighter. They seem like the obvious choice.
Click to expand...

They are not lighter than the Res-o-lites. I believe they are around 10g heavier. (depending on which key style you get)

Also, in another Res-o-Lite thread, somebody links to an eBay dealer who can get a 4-string set for an almost identical price as the Hipshot Ultralites.
 
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#29
It took some digging, but here are some weight comparisons:
EDIT: I suspect the 1/2" and 3/8" are reversed in the Ultralite weights.
Mr M said:
HB6Y Ultralite Y Key with ½” dia 42 grams
HB6Y Ultralite Y Key with 3/8” dia 51 grams
HB6C Ultralite Clover Key with ½” dia 47 grams
HB6C Ultralite Clover Key with 3/8” dia 56 grams

Custom Shop Parts tuners 61 grams

Schaller M4 tuners 68 grams
Schaller BML Light Bass Tuners from Warmoth 57 grams

Gotoh GB7 tuners 64 grams

Fender Precision and Jazz Deluxe use the BT4S tuners 123 grams
Fender basses between 1966 and 1982 used the Schaller BMFL tuners 110 grams
G&L Musicman and Fender Mexican bass tuners weigh 95 grams
Click to expand...

Peter Weil said:
newer Gotoh tuners:

GB350 : 40.0g [res-o-lites]
GB707 : 64.4g
Click to expand...
 
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#31
FunkMetalBass said:
They are not lighter than the Res-o-lites. I believe they are around 10g heavier. (depending on which key style you get)

Also, in another Res-o-Lite thread, somebody links to an eBay dealer who can get a 4-string set for an almost identical price as the Hipshot Ultralites.
Click to expand...

I thought I remembered a thread where someone got the exact weights of each and the Ultralites turned out lighter. Guess I was mistaken.

Are the gotoh res-o-lite clover style tuners lighter than the hipshot ultralite clover tuners? Can you get them for $75 or less?

Guitar Center carries sets of Hipshots for $75.

EDIT: Apparently that was for the res-o-lite reverse tuners, which weigh 75 grams each.
 
#33
it depends on which ultralites you have.
clover leaf hipshots w/bushing weigh 47 grams each ( 1.66 oz)
the hipshot ultralites with the 'y' head weigh 44 grams each (1.55oz.)
res-o-lites reverse tuners weigh about 75 grams each with the bushing (2.6 oz).
fender (gotoh) standard reverse tuners weigh 125 grams each with the bushing (4.41 oz)
and fender (schaller) chrome clover leafs weigh 115 each w/bushing (4.06oz).

multiply any of those x4 and that's what a set weighs on a four string bass.
Click to expand...

Found this in a thread about dead spot issues. This is what I was based my claim on. Guess he was wrong?
 
#37
KingRazor said:
Found this in a thread about dead spot issues. This is what I was based my claim on. Guess he was wrong?
Click to expand...

He's definitely wrong.

Don't have it handy, but I have the exact weights on them somewhere because I researched this pretty thoroughly a while back, but what I do know is that I have a set of each at home and you can FEEL the difference between the Hipshots and the Res-o-Lites and those Gotohs are lighter.

I don't think anybody makes a lighter tuner.
 
#38
Wait.

So I looked into this a bit more and found the below. The Hipshot Ultralite HB6C with 1/2" posts are 57g each and the Gotoh Res-o-lite GB640's are 66.9g each. There's the 10g difference. This doesn't seem to be a fair comparison IMO as it looks like the GB640's should really be matched up against the HB3's, the weight of which I couldn't find anywhere.

Gotoh:

[This invalid link has been removed]

Hipshot:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 

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