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Hipshot USA vs. Hipshot LIC - Ultralight

USA or LIC - Hipshot Ultralights

  • USA is worth it: spend the extra $$$

    Votes: 83 69.2%

  • LIC is just as good: be smart and save the $$$

    Votes: 37 30.8%
  • Total voters
    120
  • Poll closed .
SolarMan

SolarMan

Guest
Aug 2, 2011
2,328
112
Marlborough, MA
soundcloud.com
#1
Ok, I have searched and I'm not satisfied - I can't find a thorough discussion on this topic:

Hipshot USA vs. Hipshot LIC - Ultralight

What I did find out:

#1) Most people say that they feel very much the same. That you can't really tell the difference

#2) One thread I saw a guy said he liked Licensed better than USA - but when offered a brand new set of LIC for his used USA - he balked

#3) Some folks say the dimensions are slightly different - I have read the the USA are a very teeny bit smaller dimension wise - and I have read the the USA are a very teeny bit larger dimension wise

(I assume that if it is true then it is a metric vs. standard measuring bias? Or anecdotal evidence from people replacing LIC with new USA and noticing the peghead holes are tight or loose?)

#4) You can reverse the USA tuners for 2X2, but you can't reverse the LIC. Then, wait! You CAN reverse the LIC! :hyper:

#5) Sadowsky uses LIC on the Metro line. But he won't sell them to you - "only for repairs"

(now I get and respect that stance, but my question is: do they say Sadowsky on them or something? are they Special Hipshot LIC other than a different logo - or are they just Regular Hipshot LIC with a different logo?)

#6) There is no video and no FAQ regarding how to reverse the Hipshot USA tuner on the Hipshot website - that I can find. And none on You Tube. I know I must be wrong here. There has to be one somewhere!

I just bought a set of 4 without knowing there were 2 different Hipshots.

Seems like any great company now has a seperate "line" that is basically the same thing with a different name and a better price - just made in China (who I think is doing amazing work these days)

So, anyone got any pertinent info?
 
#2
If we are talking about vintage style, USA can not be reversed. The worm gear will not pass trough the bearing blocs. One is slid over the shaft, the clover goes on , the other bearing is pressed on and the bearings are spot welded onto the plate. Without removing the clover and breaking the welds free, the shafts are not removable from the bearing blocks.
 
#5
SolarMan said:
Ok, I have searched and I'm not satisfied - I can't find a thorough discussion on this topic:

Hipshot USA vs. Hipshot LIC
What I did find out:

#1) Most people say that they feel very much the same. That you can't really tell the difference

#2) One thread I saw a guy said he liked Licensed better than USA - but when offered a brand new set of LIC for his used USA - he balked

#3) Some folks say the dimensions are slightly different - I have read the the USA are a very teeny bit smaller dimension wise - and I have read the the USA are a very teeny bit larger dimension wise

(I assume that if it is true then it is a metric vs. standard measuring bias? Or anecdotal evidence from people replacing LIC with new USA and noticing the peghead holes are tight or loose?)

#4) You can reverse the USA tuners for 2X2, but you can't reverse the LIC. Then, wait! You CAN reverse the LIC! :hyper:

#5) Sadowsky uses LIC on the Metro line. But he won't sell them to you - "only for repairs"

(now I get and respect that stance, but my question is: do they say Sadowsky on them or something? are they Special Hipshot LIC other than a different logo - or are they just Regular Hipshot LIC with a different logo?)

#6) There is no video and no FAQ regarding how to reverse the Hipshot USA tuner on the Hipshot website - that I can find. And none on You Tube. I know I must be wrong here. There has to be one somewhere!

I just bought a set of 4 without knowing there were 2 different Hipshots.

Seems like any great company now has a seperate "line" that is basically the same thing with a different name and a better price - just made in China (who I think is doing amazing work these days)

So, anyone got any pertinent info?
Click to expand...

In response:

1) I can't really feel much of a difference.

2) Don't know why he balked...may be he had his doubts about the Lic'd, as well.

3) The US units (Ultralite GB-7 equivalents) are slightly larger and may require a couple swipes of sandpaper in the mounting holes before installation. The male / female thread orientation is reversed (tuner body / mounting ferrule). The Lic'd cap screw tensioners are larger.

4) Yes, you can punch out the washer with a piece of dowel or whatnot should you chose to reverse the configuration. The US models are much easier.

5) I have one in front of me and there is no logo other than "Hipshot Lic." It's a very nice product for those working within a price-point. I wouldn't hesitate to use them on any project.

6) Reversal is easy on the US models and requires a single hex key to remove the cap screw tensioner...that's it. PM me if you're having difficulties.

EDIT: Just saw the picture and you're good to go. Appears to be a US Ultralite, either 3/8 or 1/2 (don't have my glasses on). They can be used on either the bass or treble side with the aforementioned mod.

Riis
 
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#7
mwolff said:
I have both and I couldn't interchange the threaded bushings so it may be metric versus standard threads. That would be the slight difference in size and I can't remember which was smaller.
Click to expand...

"3) The US units (Ultralite GB-7 equivalents) are slightly larger and may require a couple swipes of sandpaper in the mounting holes before installation. The male / female thread orientation is reversed (tuner body / mounting ferrule). The Lic'd cap screw tensioners are larger."

Unless there have been major design changes, the configuration looks like this:

*US: Tuner body - male, ferrule - female.

*Lic'd: Tuner body - female, ferrule - male

When I replaced Lic'd units with genuine US Hipshots, the larger diameter female mounting ferrule (internal threads) would not pass through the headstock without some light enlargement of the mounting holes thenselves.

Riis
 
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#9
SolarMan said:
Just added a Poll

There needs to be a place with concise information on this product !

(IMHO)

People across the planet will be able to see the responses here by "googling" Hipshot USA vs. LIC
Click to expand...

I just did a search which kicked me back to several TB threads, several of which embrace input from your's truly. Like it or not, your TB brethren are apparently the "keepers of the knowldege" much like those big-headed guys in a particular Star Trek episode. This is, indeed, a sad statement, but in the meantime...

All hail!!

Riis
 
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#10
These are good tuners but if it were my bass I would use the Gotoh Resolites. More expensive but man are they nice! The Hipshots are fine but the Resolites are outstanding.

Zooberwerx said:
Like it or not, your TB brethren are apparently the "keepers of the knowldege" much like those big-headed guys in a particular Star Trek episode. This is, indeed, a sad statement, but in the meantime...

All hail!!

Riis
Click to expand...

I'm afraid Capt. Pike agrees Riis... one beep! Oh sad Saturday night!
 
#11
The two things that matter most - to me - are tension and gear tolerance. I have both USA and LIC tuners and (again for me) the USA's have slightly less tension, making the tuners move a little more freely. Both versions have immaculate tolerance - no slop whatsoever between the gears.

I chose LIC in your poll; I feel that both Hipshots are quality tools for your bass.
 
#12
sj_bass said:
The two things that matter most - to me - are tension and gear tolerance. I have both USA and LIC tuners and (again for me) the USA's have slightly less tension, making the tuners move a little more freely. Both versions have immaculate tolerance - no slop whatsoever between the gears.

I chose LIC in your poll; I feel that both Hipshots are quality tools for your bass.
Click to expand...

That's the beauty behind both the US and Lic'd models. The tensioner (cap screw, nylon washer, slightly larger metal washer) can be adjusted to set the tension / turning resistance to your preference. I like 'em nice 'n snug, myself. Make sure you have a properly fitting hex key and some blue loctite, just in case. Here's why:

I've gotten a couple of factory fresh tuners where the cap screw was so jammed up that the cap screw socket began to round out before freeing-up. Don't know what they're using as a thread sealant but, man, it was tenacious. I ended up slotting the head with a Dremel blade and removing with a flathead screwdriver. One call to Hipshot and replacements were quickly on their way. I've found it best to remove the cap screws entirely, chip off the old sealant, apply new loctite and re-install. Wait a few hours to allow the loctite to fully cure. Unless the headstock real estate is really crowded, you can pull this off with the tuners mounted.

Riis
 
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#13
Zooberwerx said:
That's the beauty behind both the US and Lic'd models. The tensioner (cap screw, nylon washer, slightly larger metal washer) can be adjusted to set the tension / turning resistance to your preference. I like 'em nice 'n snug, myself. Make sure you have a properly fitting hex key and some blue loctite, just in case. Here's why:

I've gotten a couple of factory fresh tuners where the cap screw was so jammed up that the cap screw socket began to round out before freeing-up. Don't know what they're using as a thread sealant but, man, it was tenacious. I ended up slotting the head with a Dremel blade and removing with a flathead screwdriver. One call to Hipshot and replacements were quickly on their way. I've found it best to remove the cap screws entirely, chip off the old sealant, apply new loctite and re-install. Wait a few hours to allow the loctite to fully cure. Unless the headstock real estate is really crowded, you can pull this off with the tuners mounted.

Riis
Click to expand...

Riis,

Thanks for the tip! If I feel compelled to make that adjustment, I will definitely take your advice. The difference between the two (USA and LIC) is so slight that it's hardly noticeable...

As always, TBers are the best!
 
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#14
You cannot buy LICs by themselves, unless you buy them from a manufacturer or used. They are not for sale in retail. Your experience with Sadowsky confirms this.

I can't confirm if the dimensions of the whole machine are different, but I can confirm that the diameter of the ferrule is different (metric vs US). If you are ordering US Ultralites for your bass that had LICs, you might need to call Hipshot and ask for the appropriate ferrules. Or as Riis suggested, just enlarge the holes.

I have never seen an Ultralite LIC that has a 3/8" post. All of the many ones I have seen are 1/2". What fools people sometimes (and it is actually my favorite feature of the LICs) is that the post is tapered, being larger at the top and narrower at the bottom. So if you measure on the bottom, it is closer to 3/8". The tapered post, in my experience, allows for an easier string changing and a tighter string settlement. I also liked the satin look and feel of the LICs better. So if they were available in 3/8" I would seriously think about replacing my 55-94s tuners for LICs.
 
#15
macribas said:
You cannot buy LICs by themselves, unless you buy them from a manufacturer or used. They are not for sale in retail. Your experience with Sadowsky confirms this.

I can't confirm if the dimensions of the whole machine are different, but I can confirm that the diameter of the ferrule is different (metric vs US). If you are ordering US Ultralites for your bass that had LICs, you might need to call Hipshot and ask for the appropriate ferrules. Or as Riis suggested, just enlarge the holes.

I have never seen an Ultralite LIC that has a 3/8" post. All of the many ones I have seen are 1/2". What fools people sometimes (and it is actually my favorite feature of the LICs) is that the post is tapered, being larger at the top and narrower at the bottom. So if you measure on the bottom, it is closer to 3/8". The tapered post, in my experience, allows for an easier string changing and a tighter string settlement. I also liked the satin look and feel of the LICs better. So if they were available in 3/8" I would seriously think about replacing my 55-94s tuners for LICs.
Click to expand...

The Ultralites on my Sadowsky were 3/8" not 1/2" and the string posts sport a cylindrical shape, not the hourglass Gotoh profile. IIRC, the 1/2" do have the inverted taper as mentioned. Here's a good shot of the Sado's headstock...there's no mistaking the 3/8" tuners:

SadoHSFront-1.jpg


Riis
 
#18
Don't mean to bring this thread back from the dead, but...

I just bought a set of 1/2" LIC ultralight cloverleafs (HB6C) and found that the ferrules for the headstock holes were only 9/16" diameter. I agree with the OP that available information on these products is sketchy, but from what I can figure out the 1/2" versions are supposed to fit 11/16" diameter holes.

...so my LIC versions appear to have 1/2" winding pegs (that taper down), but only 9/16" diameter ferrules--which makes them different from the USA version, I think...and means they don't fit my Fender head stock.

Can anybody corroborate? Or am I confused somehow?

Also, on a side note, naming these things after the size of the winding peg (which seems somewhat inconsequential) as opposed to the size of the ferrule/hole (which is critical) is both weird and confusing. I bet they could sell a lot more product if anybody could figure out whether these things fit! :)
 
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#19
I have a set of both.

The USA are reversible, the Lic are not (or at least not easily reversible)
The USA have a straight tuning post, the Lic are tapered from top to bottom.
The USA have a slightly smaller body than the Lic. This is a point in the Lic favor as the USA tuners don't quite cover up the entire tuning hole (11/16" hole for 1/2" tuners)
The Lic tuners have a lower gear ratio than the USA so they are easier to turn and turn slower, which I find surprising.
The satin plating on the USA tuners is better, the plating is flaking off of the Lic tuner posts.
 
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