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How many here use HipShot D-Tuners?

Indispensable? No. Useful? Heck, yeah.

I have one on my '78 P and my Nash J. When the right tune comes up, it's sweeet! I have yet to play a low-B axe with a low D that's as rich and growly as a detuned E.

I don't have one installed on my '51 RI or my Musicmaster because 1) those axes are so retro in vibe, lower notes usually wouldn't be so appropriate and 2) the Musicmaster has non-standard tuners.

I would like to eventually get one on my Dingwall. (Is it an A-tuner when you put it on a low B? :D) That axe would do drop-A very nicely.
 
I have one I added to my Traben Kore two years ago, and one that came stock on my Fender Roscoe Beck, and I utterly love them, very useful, very cool, I plan on getting more in the future, espcially for my Roscoe LG, and SKB, for drop-A tuning.
 
How many here use HipShot D-Tuners?
1. If you so do you find it useful?
Yes.
Playing with horn players and vocalist who would like to change keys I found myself de-tuning from time to time so it made sense to get one. I also ran into a couple songs we wanted to cover that was recorded with a five string.

When the E-string tuner on my Pedulla finely broke, I broke down and bought one.
2. How many basses do you have that are fitted with a Hipshot D-Tuner?
Two



You guys will like this one.

When I purchased my first Hipshot better than ten years ago, they didn't make one to fit my Pedulla, or maybe I just couldn't find the right one. The headstock on the MVP/Buzz basses are pretty narrow and IIRC the closest one I could find fit the old 2X2 Ibanez headstock.

Pfft, don't ever tell me "it wont fit". I own a Dremel tool! Plus, I myself am a tool!

Here is the results.
Just keep in mind. I didn't have much to lose with an already broken tuner, and a gig on Friday.
head.jpg
hipshot.jpg


Not only did I cut a notch in the de-tuner so it would fit the headstock, I had to drill out the original threads and use epoxy to weld a new nut at an angle so the set-screw tuner wouldn't hit the G-string tuner when de-tuned.

Taint pretty, but it worked.
Form follows function in this case.


Oh yeah, if you can't tell. Eventually, another tuner broke and I had to replace the other three. :D
 
1.
If you so do you find it useful?

2.
How many basses do you have that are fitted with a Hipshot D-Tuner?

3.
Have you thought about getting one? And if so why haven't you?

1. I do, and I find them very useful. I've used them since before 1983, just about as soon as they came out.

2. Lessee... 4 of my 5 four-string basses have them. If I was gigging regularly the 5th would have one on it as well.

John
 
3.
Have you thought about getting one? And if so why haven't you?

I play mainly 5's.

The main two reasons why I might hesitate in getting one would be:
1) I don't like the idea of having a string with significantly less tension on it. You'd have to play it lighter and the quality of the sound will be different.

2) I don't like the fact that the relationship between the notes on opposing strings would be different (5th instead of a 4th).
 
I would probably have more, but nobody seems to sell them locally, and the website only has specs for three? four? of the models. So knowing which one to buy is hard. I telephoned once, but they couldn't help.

So I finally ordered one since it looks like the MIM version is a direct replacement. But if I could have found the specs, I would have owned one at least 4 years ago.
 
I don't try to be different, but sometimes I am....

I just picked up a EBMM Sterling and the seller included a drop D tuner in the case. I sold the tuner as soon as I got it. I had no use for it and really didn't need it. Obviously they are utilized by quite a few people...just not by me.
 
Yep I have one. It comes in handy for when I need a low D. I played a 5 string for years, but I really just don't like the string spacing, or conversely the neck width on a 5. I can fake most things that call for a 5 string with a flick of the switch.

I don't want to mess with my Ric, so I only have it on my Fender. That's the one I play mostly anyhow.