What are you talking about? what is sporthitech? online vendor that sells Lic by Hipshot tuners?
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Hipshot USA vs. Hipshot LIC - Ultralight
- Thread starter SolarMan
- Start date
What are you talking about? what is sporthitech? online vendor that sells Lic by Hipshot tuners?
Yup, it's an online retailer that sells Hipshot licensed tuners (also coincidentally mentioned by someone else earlier in the thread).
The actual tuners look nice (aside from being a different size than I expected), so I probably went overboard calling them crap--[rant removed].
Edit: Seller is in contact and is trying to make it right.
The actual tuners look nice (aside from being a different size than I expected), so I probably went overboard calling them crap--[rant removed].
Edit: Seller is in contact and is trying to make it right.
Good show...hope everything works out to your satisfaction. Quick question for clarification: on the lic'd models, the female ferrule portion is mounted on the tuner body and inserted from the reverse / back of the headstock. The front-mounted male retainer component slides over the tuner post. Is the female ferrule portion too narrow / is there too much play back 'n forth?
Riis
Hmmm...I'm not sure I follow those installation instructions. These tuners essentially have two parts: the tuner itself (with key, post, etc.) that inserts from the back of the headstock, and a threaded bushing/ferrule that inserts from the front, slips over the winding peg, and screws onto the post.
...but regardless, yes: the bushing is very loose, with about a 1/16" gap on all sides when it's centered in the 11/16" headstock hole. I think it must be a 3/8" version (which would be odd since the vendor doesn't stock or sell that size). Maybe a mix-up at the factory?
My assumption is that the bushing should fit fairly tightly to keep the tuner from bending/twisting in the mounting hole (and should therefore be about 11/16" in diameter). If I'm somehow off-base here, I'd appreciate someone setting me straight before I send these things back. My month-long modding project is finally done except for tuners--I want to string this puppy up and give it a test run already!
Hmmm...I'm not sure I follow those installation instructions. These tuners essentially have two parts: the tuner itself (with key, post, etc.) that inserts from the back of the headstock, and a threaded bushing/ferrule that inserts from the front, slips over the winding peg, and screws onto the post.
...but regardless, yes: the bushing is very loose, with about a 1/16" gap on all sides when it's centered in the 11/16" headstock hole. I think it must be a 3/8" version (which would be odd since the vendor doesn't stock or sell that size). Maybe a mix-up at the factory?
My assumption is that the bushing should fit fairly tightly to keep the tuner from bending/twisting in the mounting hole (and should therefore be about 11/16" in diameter). If I'm somehow off-base here, I'd appreciate someone setting me straight before I send these things back. My month-long modding project is finally done except for tuners--I want to string this puppy up and give it a test run already!
Okay, the orientation is of little consequence if there's too much back 'n forth before tightening the retainer nut...although that may stabilize the situation to some degree. Either way, here's something that will work (done it myself):
*Grab yourself some thin vinyl tape. I use the multi-colored stuff normally used for marking cables.
*Wrap it snugly around the smooth outer diameter of the female component so that, upon insertion in the headstock, there is no movement. For that fact, it's best to over-wrap and slowly remove / snip off segments of tape until it just fits the headstock.
*Tighten all components and you should be good to go.
Riis
Thanks for the tip, Riis, but I'd really like to find a set that actually fits--which is stupidly harder than it should be.
Everything I have read says Hipshot 1/2" ultralights are designed for 11/16" headstock holes. But now I see lots of Hipshot 1/2" tuners on mainstream music store sites with boilerplate that says they fit "Gotoh mini pegs".
...which is totally useless, since the only reference I can find to a "Gotoh mini peg" is in that Hipshot boilerplate.
So, like everything else with this frustrating product, I'm left to guess...and my guess is that "mini Gotoh" means the smaller size 3/8" post. So does that mean Hipshot licenses 1/2" tuners designed to fit 9/16" holes? Who knows, because the manufacturers and vendors sure don't tell you anywhere. Heck, I HAVE a set in front of me, and I still can't figure out what size it is supposed to be, because none of the dimensions I thought I knew match up.
According to the Hipshot USA website, the 1/2" size is designed to fit 11/16", and I assume that they actually manufacture their product that way. I might have to just give up on the licensed version, which is a bummer since the USA versions are twice as much...
Everything I have read says Hipshot 1/2" ultralights are designed for 11/16" headstock holes. But now I see lots of Hipshot 1/2" tuners on mainstream music store sites with boilerplate that says they fit "Gotoh mini pegs".
...which is totally useless, since the only reference I can find to a "Gotoh mini peg" is in that Hipshot boilerplate.
So, like everything else with this frustrating product, I'm left to guess...and my guess is that "mini Gotoh" means the smaller size 3/8" post. So does that mean Hipshot licenses 1/2" tuners designed to fit 9/16" holes? Who knows, because the manufacturers and vendors sure don't tell you anywhere. Heck, I HAVE a set in front of me, and I still can't figure out what size it is supposed to be, because none of the dimensions I thought I knew match up.
According to the Hipshot USA website, the 1/2" size is designed to fit 11/16", and I assume that they actually manufacture their product that way. I might have to just give up on the licensed version, which is a bummer since the USA versions are twice as much...
Well I can tell you that USA hipshots 1/2" bushings are also loose in 11/16" tuner holes. I use metal tape that I had on hand to make it snug.
I got a set of LIC tuners from sporthitech. Drop in for my MTD Kingston Saratoga 5. Very responsive via email. Hope it gets sorted out.
I have USA tuners on my CallowHill and have had a few Laklands. I think the LIC tuners are excellent. Especially if compared to the original tuners on the Kingston. Might do the same for the Ibanez SR505. Just don't like those tuners.
I ended up going with USA hipshots and can confirm that the 1/2" bushings were still loose in 11/16" holes, but not as loose as the LIC versions. Distributor says the LIC bushings are .05" smaller than the USA, but I measured them as even smaller (and keep in mind the USA versions are undersized to begin with).
Regardless, I also used metal tape to make the USA bushings fit, and everything works great and look sharp--so all's well than ends well.
Regardless, I also used metal tape to make the USA bushings fit, and everything works great and look sharp--so all's well than ends well.
Yeah, I buy that. Glad things worked out. BTW, what did you use for metal tape? I've used vinyl in the past.
Riis
I went with foil under the (probably misguided) assumption that it would be more rigid than vinyl. In the end it worked well, but getting the exact right tension to wrap it tight, but not tear the foil tape took a minute to dial in.
I used Nashua brand foil tape that I got at my local Home Depot (I found it in the HVAC duct work section). It is a 1-7/8" wide roll, but it's on peel-and-stick wax paper backing, so it was easy to cut to size and cleanly apply. Overall it worked great.
Thanks for the tips on this and other threads, by the way. Definitely helped me avoid errors I surely would have made otherwise. I'm not sure if it was you who made this point, but putting the washer on the bushing BEFORE wrapping the tape is exactly the kind of bass-repair-for-idiots suggestion I can use!
I used Nashua brand foil tape that I got at my local Home Depot (I found it in the HVAC duct work section). It is a 1-7/8" wide roll, but it's on peel-and-stick wax paper backing, so it was easy to cut to size and cleanly apply. Overall it worked great.
Thanks for the tips on this and other threads, by the way. Definitely helped me avoid errors I surely would have made otherwise. I'm not sure if it was you who made this point, but putting the washer on the bushing BEFORE wrapping the tape is exactly the kind of bass-repair-for-idiots suggestion I can use!
Concerning the Lic'd Ultralights:
I'm going to keep ranting about the ones that came on the Fender Deluxe Jazz 24. The inner (key side) bearing is a split washer, which wears out and jams. It is garbage. They are, however, reversible. I measured the outside diameter of the ferrule to be 15.75mm, or somewhere between 9/16" and 5/8" inch diameter with my not-so-trusty $10 digital caliper. BTW the chrome plating on these ferrules is garbage too. One ferrule is blistered, while the other was blistered and came off after re-installing with a 15mm socket.
I'm hoping to get these replaced with USA-made tuners. Kapton tape works great for fitting undersized tuners in there. It's not metal, but it's dense, sturdy, and will probably provide a more solid contact than foil tape.
I'm going to keep ranting about the ones that came on the Fender Deluxe Jazz 24. The inner (key side) bearing is a split washer, which wears out and jams. It is garbage. They are, however, reversible. I measured the outside diameter of the ferrule to be 15.75mm, or somewhere between 9/16" and 5/8" inch diameter with my not-so-trusty $10 digital caliper. BTW the chrome plating on these ferrules is garbage too. One ferrule is blistered, while the other was blistered and came off after re-installing with a 15mm socket.
I'm hoping to get these replaced with USA-made tuners. Kapton tape works great for fitting undersized tuners in there. It's not metal, but it's dense, sturdy, and will probably provide a more solid contact than foil tape.
I wanted to follow up on this one, because Hipshot has been so amazing. They replaced my Lic'd Ultralights with USA-made ones, an updated version no less. They now feature a non-tapered post, meaning I can wind them nice and tight without them slipping. Smooth as silk and solid as steel (which they are, by the way). Loving this bass now. If only it would produce a signal... preamp is shot still.
I just got mine in the mail- same issue!!!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!
Sure they're the 1/2" and not the 3/8"? I just looked at the website and both sizes are listed as "HB6" with a C to designate cloverleaf. JOOC, what bass are you modding? You can always contact Hipshot directly for guidance / service.
Riis
I have a set of 1/2" Lic cloverleaf on my Lakland bass (from the Korean line) and it is the brushed silver, this bass is about 5 years old and I see no flaking of the finish at all. I just got a USA set to replace the tuners on an Ibanez AGB205 hollowbody bass and I really like them (fit perfectly). I dig the "brushed" gold handles (not really brushed, more dimpled to contend with fingerprints - those oils from the fingerprints can be hard to remove from brass and gold color handles), but the posts already show scraping from the strings (and these are the USA tuners). I have La Bella flats on the Ibanez and the strings are covered in the silk, but are they are quite jagged (more so than other strings I've used before). So looks like both the USA and Lic tuners could have issues with the posts getting scrapped and flaking - but those La Bella strings are quite jagged - Most excellent tone I've heard, so I'm not complaining, but the finish is scrapped on the post.
Hopkins - do you have a scale that you can weigh them? My 5-er has a light weight body. If I change out the generic Gotoh-copy tuners, I need the lighter weight. I was just about to pull the trigger on the USA version, which I have on my custom P/J half-fan, but if the LIC are as light weight as the USA, then I'm more inclined to get the LIC - Asian tuners on an Asian bass, USA tuners on a USA bass. Thanks.
Or for that matter, for anybody else who can provide input, that is the one detail I have not been able to find, and which has not been discussed: what is the weight of a LIC tuner, especially as compared to the USA? Thanks.
Hopkins
Commercial User
I don't have either set on hand anymore, the basses they have been installed on have been sold.
Resurrecting an old thread (why do people get annoyed with that) with my recent experience.
Just put a set of chrome LIC Hipshots on a beater Yamaha BB405 that I love. They are great. I like them better than the USA tuners for one reason: The posts are tapered, making the string hug the post lower. One may not need a string retainer with this design.
Bought them from sporthitech. No problems, and they sell them 4-line, 3+2, 4+1, etc. Fast shipping. Would buy from them again. My first choice for vendors is best bass gear, but they don't carry the LIC Hipshots.
All in all it was awesome. I'd love to use the USA tuners, but for the price, quality and enhanced design, I'd be a moron to overlook these.
Just put a set of chrome LIC Hipshots on a beater Yamaha BB405 that I love. They are great. I like them better than the USA tuners for one reason: The posts are tapered, making the string hug the post lower. One may not need a string retainer with this design.
Bought them from sporthitech. No problems, and they sell them 4-line, 3+2, 4+1, etc. Fast shipping. Would buy from them again. My first choice for vendors is best bass gear, but they don't carry the LIC Hipshots.
All in all it was awesome. I'd love to use the USA tuners, but for the price, quality and enhanced design, I'd be a moron to overlook these.
