How often have you had to replace tuners?

[J-Bass RMR]

This last January , I had to replace tuners on the 1st Bass I ever owned; a 1978 Fretless P-Bass that I bought from my “mentor” (and now good friend) in 1980. He had replaced the stock tuners with vintage/reverse style tuners when he 1st got it.
40 years later, he found the original tuners, and sent them to me.
I HAD TO replace them!!

 

[buldog5151bass]

Never an issue. The only change was to add a de-tuner on the E string.

 

[packhowitzer]

Only once. I ordered an SX Ursa from Rondo music. It arrived with a broken clover (still a great bass for the price IMO). I used some JB weld to hold it in place until I could order and receive some hipshots that replaced the set. As I recall, the hipshots cost about as much as the bass. But I still have the bass and the tuners, and it's been a good result overall.

 

[Manticore]

Had to replace the tuners on a very inexpensive bass I bought in Bangkok a while back, but the tuners were exceptionally poorly made. I had to replace the tuners on my early '70s Ric a while back after they simply wore out. (I used that Ric almost exclusive from when it was new through the early '90s.) And I replaced a broken tuner on one of my Alembics after an unfortunate drummer-related accident. Three times.

 

[eddododo]

Once ever, on a cheap Ibanez GSR starter bass. Great Basses honestly, but the hardware is kind of like ‘metal’

 

[Pdaddy1978]

Tuners???!!.... hell, I barely ever change STRINGS!

 

[Fender4Me]

Never. Who tunes anyway?

 

[Kukulkan61]

Never

 

[GretschWretch]

I've never had to change tuners. I can think of at least half a dozen instances where I chose to change tuners.

 

[milesdavisblue]

One month had to replace two tuners on a Warwick Thumb Bass they fell apart at different times. The first one was at a rehearsal no big deal the second one at a winery gig mid song. Luckily I had my backup Fender Jazz in the bus. I have never had problems with tuners other than that.

 

[rtav]

Never ever in 40+ years of playing.

 

[PWRL]

I never had to. I did once because I wanted to, but never because I had to. I had to tighten a couple, but that's it.

 

[SteveBassJr]

My Carvin lb75. I had to replace two tuner pegs. Which made me decide to buy a full replacemen set. Btw, my experience with Carvin customer service left me scratching my head.

 

[wraub]

On a bass? Never.

On a guitar? Twice.

 

[SpyderX]

Once. Squier Bronco. Broke while tuning it. Shaft broke off under the key.

 

[kodiakblair]

Never.

Own several 40 + year old bass still with original tuners.

 

[lokikallas]

I've had a couple of Ibanez tuners break. Replaced them all with hipshot.

 

[Bent77]

3x but that’s been across about 40 basses. I also rehab stuff, play it for awhile and then wish I hadn’t sold it

 

[Guild B301]

I’ve had a few vintage guitars and basses which HAD TO have the machine heads changed.
I even have some that probably could use being replaced now - but I won’t do it BECAUSE they’re vintage!
But never just because I wanted a change.
I am pretty brand loyal, and I always choose Schaller, when I do replace them.

 

[dubmaster]

I had to replace the A string tuner on my 2005 Warwick FNA jazzman corvette after it self destructed and the post cracked spontaneously. I never trusted the Warwick tuners after that happened. I’ve never had a problem with any other basses I’ve owned; Fender, carvin, Ibanez have all been solid. That Warwick also developed a twist in the neck so it had to go.