Hipshot USA tuners, MIM jazz

[vivaknoxvegas]

I ordered 1/2" ultralites, they are too small. By my math the 3/8" won't help, going the wrong direction. Am I doing it wrong? Do I need to keep the original grommet, round metal rim in the wood hole or something?

2018 Fender MIM jazz.

 

[96tbird]

How much too small?

You can't get some wood veneer strip trim to size and simply wrap it around the tube of the tuner to fill a gap. As long as the top washer hides the hole, good to go.

 

[C Stone]

I ordered 1/2" ultralites, they are too small. By my math the 3/8" won't help, going the wrong direction. Am I doing it wrong? Do I need to keep the original grommet, round metal rim in the wood hole or something?

2018 Fender MIM jazz.

Tuners manufacturers, peg hole size, grommet wall thickness, post thickness, whether the previous owner sanded out a little to accommodate aftermarket pegs can all have a bearing, if the old grommets work without post slop it should work, you could also consider copper shielding tape for grommets, it has worked
for me when I purchased Fender MIM tuners for a MIM P bass that were too small, good luck!

 

[Lownote38]

Use the original grommets.

 

[96tbird]

Use the original grommets.

By grommets I assume you all mean ferrules, which since OP is fitting Ultralights, you don't use any ferrules at all. Hipshot ultras have ferrules that thread onto the machine from the front.

 

[p12bassnut]

When I ordered my ultralights from Hipshot, they included oversized nuts (built in ferrel) because the peg hole is actually a bit larger on the MIM model. I don't remember the size but of you give Hipshot a call they can help you out.

 

[C Stone]

By grommets I assume you all mean ferrules, which since OP is fitting Ultralights, you don't use any ferrules at all. Hipshot ultras have ferrules that thread onto the machine from the front.

Nah ferrules in bass lingo are for string thoughs or used for neck attachment, people use the terms interchangeably but "bushings" are actually the correct term in refference to tuners. If the bushings are too small you can add some copper shielding tape to them to snug them up.

 

[vivaknoxvegas]

I have emailed Hipshot twice, no reply to either. Super helpful.

I will try using the original Bushrulemmets. I took them out originally, down to just the wood holes, and saw that it was too small. Then I put the original tuner back on to record something. I will get back into it this afternoon and maybe post some pics.

 

[C Stone]

I have emailed Hipshot twice, no reply to either. Super helpful.

I will try using the original Bushrulemmets. I took them out originally, down to just the wood holes, and saw that it was too small. Then I put the original tuner back on to record something. I will get back into it this afternoon and maybe post some pics.

Bushrulemmets

So I looked at the ultralites (I was unfamiliar with them) there is a threaded base on the tuner itself with a sleeve that fits over the top to align and secure the tuner base so the old "Bushrulemmets" won't work, keep us posted though, it looks like you can still (as an option) wrap copper tape to the top bushing/sleeve to build it up for a nice tight fit. Good luck!

 

[vivaknoxvegas]

Looking at this again… I've actually made it work more than my first attempt. There is still a small gap on the back, see pics. Is this somewhat normal or?

I could maybe even put a thin metal washer that's large enough to cover the opening in the wood.



The front of the bass headstock will look fine.

 

[p12bassnut]

Normal for a MIM. The hole size is ever so slightly larger than a MIA.
I did this mod on my MIM P neck and have the same look.
I personally wouldn't put a washer to cover the gap.
Does not affect playability at all. Also, the lightweight tuners makes the bass balance overall so much better.

 

[vivaknoxvegas]

Great thank you @p12bassnut I just needed confirmation. I think I can live with that tiny gap. Everything up front looks great.

 

[eastcoasteddie]

The holes in the MIM headstock are 18mm.
The HB7 are the exact replacement for MIM
http://docs.hipshotproducts.com/20710_HB7_TUNING_MACHINE_DIMENSIONS.pdf

The USA Ultralite bushing is 17.5mm, which isn't really a huge difference (.5mm is pretty small)… Unless I've misunderstood the OP's issue
http://docs.hipshotproducts.com/20675_ULTRALITE_1-2_CLOVER_KEY.pdf

the photo of the back side of the headstock looks like the issue is that the post hole in the headstock is not completely concealed by the tuner body, which is 18.3mm wide.
That, and the now 4 exposed screw holes per tuner would bother me.

I was going to do UltraLites on my Squier, but went with full-size HB7 tuners instead, and I am happier for it.

I'm planning a full Warmoth build and I bought UltraLites for it already, but I am considering switching to HB1's after seeing that post hole coverage…

 

[vivaknoxvegas]

@eastcoasteddie good stuff, those HB7s do look great.

The extra holes don't bother me really. It was a functional change for me to get some weight off the bass.

I think Hipshot, who still has not responded to three emails that I've sent, should provide a solution to cover that slight opening. For $40+ per tuner, that would be a nice add to the customer.

 

[vivaknoxvegas]

Here's what it's looking like. I haven't set the screws in the back yet. I need to line them all up as straight as possible first.

 

[eastcoasteddie]

Here's what it's looking like. I haven't set the screws in the back yet. I need to line them all up as straight as possible first.

View attachment 4440139

A neat trick I've seen here on TB is to put a ruler or straight edge under all 4 tuners to line them up. The bottoms are straight and it should work out easy-peasy. Easier than doing it one-by-one.

 

[96tbird]

You can fill the empty holes with the old tuner screws if you want. Looks better than empty holes if you're so inclined.

 

[vivaknoxvegas]

You can fill the empty holes with the old tuner screws if you want. Looks better than empty holes if you're so inclined.

But then think about all that weight I'd be adding back to the bass.

 

[cholyoke]

I use these nylon trailer bushings to fill the gaps between the hipshot bushings and the fender holes.

(4) New Nylon Trailer Leaf Spring Bushings 9/16" I.D. x 1-3/4"

Each nylon bushing is enough to make four smaller bushings for the tuners. I cut the nylon bushings into four smaller bushings about the length of the hipshot tuner bushing and split the nylon bushing parallel to its length. If the nylon bushing is too thick for the hole, you can trim a little off of the ends to make it fit. They do a pretty good job. I have also done what you are doing now.

 

[96tbird]

But then think about all that weight I'd be adding back to the bass.

Snip them in half.