L-5000 spare parts

[richwhitworth]

Hey all....

I have a question - Which I guess is the usual reason for a post, eh?

I am the proud owner of a G&L L-5000 bass - a disaster recently befell me in which my guitar was tossed aside my some drunken lout at a gig - as a consequence my G-sting machine head no longer has it's 'key' attached - I didn't think this would be a big problem until I tried finding a replacement.

Ideally I want to maintain as many original parts as possible on this bass - Replacing just the key and thread would be the best solution...But I don't really know where do get started. Especially seeing as I am currently living in Tokyo....Anyone there who can help.

Thanks a lot,

Rich.

 

[sunbeast]

Could you post a picture of the tuner? G&L has used a couple different types...I have one bass with Hipshots and one with Schallers- I'm pretty sure you could buy a replacement for either and mix or match, the only problem being that the G&L ones are generally lighter versions with aluminum posts. As long as you are just changing the clover-leaf part though, you probably won't have too much trouble- I know the Schallers at least come completely apart with interchangeable parts.
A picture would help to tell which you have...

Karl

 

[richwhitworth]

Hey man thanks for the help...actually the key has broken of the post...which is the annoying part....I've included a photo....It's not so great but I put it in the centre of a CD to give some scale if not sharpness! Hope it helps (sorry I don't have my bass with me at the moment, just the broken key....)

Do you know any good vendors who would supply such parts?

Thanks a lot...

 

[spideyjg]

The tuners were made by Schaller if they say Schaller or G&L.

As was said you can disassemble any Schaller tuner and the key will work.

I've used MusicMan tuners for parts. Dunno a source to buy the key alone.

Jim

 

[sunbeast]

Yeah- you'll probably have to buy a whole new tuner and switch out the key part. I will look for the right part model.

Karl

 

[sunbeast]

It's the Schaller BML- I had a hell of a time finding a place that will sell a single one though, you might want to try to contact G&L directly to see if they'd sell you one...(though they may not use Schallers anymore...)

Karl

 

[Alivefor5]

I would think about having it silver soldered back together.
Skilled jewelery makers that design and fabricate thier own pieces would have the necessary equipment to do the work.

 

[richwhitworth]

Thanks guys for your help - I'll try all of those options (the solder first, though I'm not sure how possible that'll be....would it be strong enough? It's definitely worth a try, even as a further spare)

I'll also check out Schaller and MusicMan....See if I can find a distributor in Japan...

I'm so annoyed about it all...I was lucky enough to pick one of these basses up for 50,000yen (US $500?) - even though it's so rare...then damn it all...got bust.

Cheers again.

 

[Alivefor5]

Silver solder is extremely strong, especially when using high silver content solder. If you've heard the term 'brazing' that is silver soldering. Welding is more melting the pieces together and would be way to hot for this application. Lead solder or 'low temp' solder would be too soft here.

The pieces may discolor from the heat and excess solder may remain which can be ground off (easily taken care of by the technician that does the work). Depending on the makeup of the metal you may be able to rechrome it for looks. That may be costly, the brazing itself should not be expensive.

When you locate someone to do the work be sure and take an assembled tuner so the individual can see what it's supposed to look like. The circumference of the area of the break is important here and they would need to see how it fits together.

 

[richwhitworth]

Thanks everyone for your help...I really know what I'm looking for now...

One final question - On my search for Schaller keys (assuming I can't find a silversmith in Tokyo) - I discovered that both chrome and nickel exist...How do I know which I have? It's a pretty old bass (I guess early 80s)...Any ideas? The keys I have are a little corroded, with a greenish tint until I polished them a little....if that helps.

Sorry to have so many questions...I'll continue to check this forum to see if there is anything I can help with...