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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 .
#61
AndyPanda said:
Mine were purchased two weeks ago and were not sitting in stock, they had to be ordered in so they are new stock. They claim to be 1/2" shaft but measures .475" and ferrules are 16mm don't fit an 11/16 hole without wrapping tape around the ferrules (16mm=5/8"). I don't know about any finish issues because I got the unfinished (a dull silver) and they look fine.

My initial reaction with the licensed was that the gearing looked and felt cheap - but I just did a side by side with the USA that I have had for awhile and I guess I cannot see it now. The USA tuners have lost most of their chrome and the Licensed never were chromed.
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Sweet! Thanks for replying; this is a huge help. I just placed my order through Sporthitech.com for a set of black licensed Hipshot Ultralite HB6C's.
I have a set of USA, non-chrome (frosted/dull silver), clover-type Hipshot Ultralites on my Precision Deluxe and I'm pretty happy with them so I'll be able to between the two if I have any nagging concerns.
It's too bad that the ferrules need to be built up with foil tape etc but it seems to be working out for everyone - I haven't heard any horror stories so far.
Thanks again for the reply AndyPanda!
 
#63
AndyPanda said:
This is how I did the ferrules. I wrapped aluminum tape (the kind you use for heating ducts). Just remember to put the washer on before you wrap the tape :)
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Update: got my Ultralites over the weekend. They look and feel great - even better than expected!
I see what you're saying about having to wrap the ferrules in foil tape - a LOT more play in the bare ferrules than I could have imagined but the foil tape took care of it.
...and yes, I did forget to put the washer on before wrapping the first ferrule. Duh.
 
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#64
Does someone have more or less recent experiences about licensed ultralite sellers in the EU area? Either web or eBay. Ordering outside EU would make them quite expensive due to the taxes and customs.

I'm considering buying a (neck)heavy bass and those licensed tuners would be excellent for reducing the weight.

Anything I should consider before making the purchase?

Thanks!
 
#65
Bump to Yussipees question above, although the loose fitting problem is very worrying to me, it really needs to fit tight, no doubt about lean then, unbelievable that they don't to be honest. I'm looking at the 3/8, is this loose too?
The price of the US version is way ott, especially as I'm in the UK.
I'm thinking about Gotoh after reading he thread, that fat post looks cool :) What d'ya reckon TB'ers?
 
#67
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 - 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?
Click to expand...

I put the USA Ultralites in my Squier Jag SS.

Can't remember what the hole sizes were...but these were the "1/2" Ultralites I believe.

Anyway....the headstock holes were a tad bigger than the Ultralites. Not by very very much at all. (Thousandths of an inch)

So installed them so that they are at the bottom ( bridge end)of the headstock hole, taking into account the slight sideways direction of string tension/pull.

Adjusted them for that so there's no slack issue. Then installed the nuts, tightened and installed back screw.

No problem works fine.

I probably should put new strings on with more wraps.

The A-string doesn't have much bend where it goes over the nut. But it plays fine.

No bevel on these Ultralites, so the strings don't automatically slide lower on the post.

I could wind them closer to the bottom but I figure they will slide back up over time.

Will see.

So far so good.

(btw...there was no noticeable neck dive on this particular Jag SS...I just wanted to make a good thing even better.)

IMG_0360.JPG
 
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#69
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Aesthetic difference between Hipshot Ultralite USA and Hipshot Ultralite Licensed.

The Licensed posts have a definitively more brushed steel or matte look, while the gear housing on the USA is more matte. The housing on the USA matches the post on the Licensed.
The Licensed do have an hourglass sort of shape where the diameter of the post is smaller at the bottom towards the gear and gets slightly larger towards the top of the post.
The USA have a taller post and a more robust screw insert and washer while being 0.2g lighter.
 

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#70
Just wanted to add, I have Hipshot Lic Ultralight Tuners on an old Cort B4 Artisan Bass, and I recently upgraded the tuners on my CIJ Fender Jag from stock to the Hipshot HB2 (with D-Tuner) (not ultralights, but it will speak to the quality of manufacture and options available).

I will point out that the Hipshot HB2 Tuners were far better than the stock Fender Tuners, which had developed a rattle. The tuning is much more precise and holds tune better.

I purchased them with the standard cylindrical posts, as well as tapered posts, which is what I ended up using as it helps the string have more tension across the nut more easily. I actually never tried the straight posts and see no reason to swap them out.

If I had to compare it to the Lic. Hipshot that I have, I’d say the Lic. Version has a bit more play to it (not as much as the stock fenders did), it doesn’t seem as tight or stiff so I always tune up to pitch, whereas the official Hipshots seem to hold tune no matter how you approach the note. (these are also 12 years older, so there’s that to consider), the shafts included on that bass are straight, not tapered. Overall, they perform pretty well and I’m not sure I’d bother replacing them with the USA models.
 
#72
The only reason I've thought about replacing mine is that I don't care for the look of the matte finish that is on the posts/nut/whatever on the LIC tuners that came on my Lakland Skyline 55-02. I'd rather have chrome/nickle finish. I know on my basses the bridge saddles kind of match that matte look, wonder if those could be swapped for some USA Lakland style saddles. Might as well get them all swapped if I'm going to get rid of that matte finish.
 
#74
Zooberwerx said:
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
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i think the 1/2" ones are actually for a std p or j 16mm tuning peg hole opening. will appreciate any correction(s) if i am inaccurate about this.
 
#75
bdplaid said:
The only reason i would buy USA tuners is to support the USA. However, when I discovered that the LIC tuners were made in Korea (not China), the deal was done.
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AndyPanda said:
Mine were purchased two weeks ago and were not sitting in stock, they had to be ordered in so they are new stock. They claim to be 1/2" shaft but measures .475" and ferrules are 16mm don't fit an 11/16 hole without wrapping tape around the ferrules (16mm=5/8"). I don't know about any finish issues because I got the unfinished (a dull silver) and they look fine.

My initial reaction with the licensed was that the gearing looked and felt cheap - but I just did a side by side with the USA that I have had for awhile and I guess I cannot see it now. The USA tuners have lost most of their chrome and the Licensed never were chromed.
View attachment 979610
Click to expand...
I think the korean version may be slightly heavier according to bassstringsonline. pp
 
#77
PawleeP said:
I think the korean version may be slightly heavier according to bassstringsonline. pp
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After some time with both, I much prefer the USA tuners. I found that the ability to switch sides comes on useful now and again. And the USA are much better quality. However...

I like the Gotoh resolites much better. Even lighter, super smooth, and seem to have a high ratio for accurate tuning.
 
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