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Lets talk Tuners, what you like, anything new?

chinjazz

chinjazz

Sep 11, 2002
3,924
1,919
Atlantic Beach, FL
mtmash.wordpress.com
#1
I'm shopping around various on-line retailers for a set of tuners.

I did notice some higher end builders (Fodera), uses Gotoh tuners.
Are they the basic (non economy type)?

Gotoh Chrome Treble Side Bass Key | Allparts.com

On the other hand, I notice many more basses with Hipshot ultra lite..

I do quite like the look of the Gotoh Reso-Lites :)

Gotoh Chrome Bass Key Bass Side | Allparts.com

And now I notice some others that look interesting, these Wilkinson's:
Wilkinson Bass Key Treble Side Chrome | Allparts.com

Anyone check these out yet?

I've got a set of 1/2" Hipshot ultra light (Shiny Nickel), but really I want a smaller pin hole like the 3/8" variety, or some other good brand.

I'd like to hear what you prefer in the smaller 3/8" pin hole range of sizes.

Thanks!
 
#2
Hipshot Ultralites come in the 3/8" size as well. Great tuners but I find them somewhat inconsistent with the gearing sometimes they grind sometimes they are smooth. The black paint comes off if you touch it with a feather and the black sets come with plastic washers.... meh. Still good though.

I use these all the time they are just about as good as the Res-O-Lites but not $35 each..

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#3
Personally, I like Gotohs and mostly use them. I've tried the Wilkinsons in several different formats and they were consistent and good. I find the Gotoh to be a little more substantial, but I haven't done side by side comparisons.

I love hipshots, but the shipping, duty and exchange make them very much cost prohibitive. Over 300 canadian for a set of four makes them hard to justify... No complaints on their quality, or even the price, if you live in the US. They are quality usa crafting and if I lived there I'd probably use them or sperzels on every build. Sperzel is another quality brand that i like, but cant justify... :)
 
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#4
Means2nEnd said:
Hipshot Ultralites come in the 3/8" size as well. Great tuners but I find them somewhat inconsistent with the gearing sometimes they grind sometimes they are smooth. The black paint comes off if you touch it with a feather and the black sets come with plastic washers.... meh. Still good though.

I use these all the time they are just about as good as the Res-O-Lites but not $35 each..

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Click to expand...

Nice! That's a good price!! I might have to get these :). Here's a silly question, what size are the posts?
I don't like those sizing diagrams that don't say inch or mm for reference :)
 
#6
Beej said:
Personally, I like Gotohs and mostly use them. I've tried the Wilkinsons in several different formats and they were consistent and good. I find the Gotoh to be a little more substantial, but I haven't done side by side comparisons.

I love hipshots, but the shipping, duty and exchange make them very much cost prohibitive. Over 300 canadian for a set of four makes them hard to justify... No complaints on their quality, or even the price, if you live in the US. They are quality usa crafting and if I lived there I'd probably use them or sperzels on every build. Sperzel is another quality brand that i like, but cant justify... :)
Click to expand...

Cool, I forgot about Sperzels, but knew they were $$$. I think Gotoh is a wise way to go at least for now with my small budget.
 
#8
Kiesel (nee Carvin) sells really nice tuners for a good price - $34 for four of them: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I use these on all my "expensive" builds.

On cheap builds I use China direct tuners which are decidedly less smooth, but work and hold the tune fine. I can't recommend them for a personal build, but when someone wants a budget bass that's what I use: https://www.amazon.com/PIXNOR-Tuner...897&sr=8-2&keywords=bass+guitar+machine+heads
 
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#9
There's Schaller as well, the M4 90 has the 9 mm post.
4___10540103.jpg

they also have the Di Vinci tuner that's a compromise between a 1/2 and 3/8 post at 11 mm.
9___DAVINCI_BASS_SP.jpg

Homepage | Schaller
 
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#14
chinjazz said:
Wow, that's impressive! If it's true (relatively speaking) that Schallers are what others are compared to, is there a decent lower priced source?
Click to expand...
I haven't ever found a significant price reduction, but I don't look very often either. I accumulate my parts gradually and don't get too concerned about price. YMMV

If you want clover leaf or lollipop buttons, they have to be ordered through a retailer, Schaller only sells the elephant ear and wave buttons directly, which is a bit of a bummer.
 
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#15
Here are the Schaller options in lights and the factory retail prices in Euros. Very pricey. I am sure that if you were buying bulk and wrote the right email you could likely get a wholesale account somewhere. I am also sure you can beat the factory prices a bit by scooping up what is available on Ebay and the web, but it's hard to find the exotic colors like vintage copper and satin pearl.

Screen Shot 2017-09-18 at 8.40.38 PM.png


You can also see here that the Schallers weigh in at 42 grams, or 1.48 oz. As below, the Hipshots are slightly heavier at 51 grams or 1.8oz.

Screen Shot 2017-09-18 at 8.35.48 PM.png


These are my FAVORITE Schaller bass tuners - but unfortunately, even though they call them "light" they are a rather heavy 60 grams each. They also come in all Schaller colors:

13___10300203.jpg


They do sell just the "keys" separately, but they are 12.2 grams while the Y-Key "keys" are only 3.8 grams. Quite a difference actually.
 
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#16
chinjazz said:
Cool! Are these as good as the Gotohs?
Click to expand...

sissy kathy said:
They are the standard by which others are judged.
Click to expand...

chinjazz said:
Wow, that's impressive! If it's true (relatively speaking) that Schallers are what others are compared to, is there a decent lower priced source?
Click to expand...
I have had quite a few basses with SchallerM4S tuning keys, and they are always a bit sloppy feeling, with lots of backlash. I don't know about their more recent newer models, perhaps they are better in that regard. I prefer Hipshot Ultralites.
 
#17
The crazy over price light weight tuner become useless for me If i have no neck dive issue and no tuning stabilizing issue with stock tuning machines.

Cort put the great Hipshot tuner, hipshot knobs , hipshot bridge on their nice price Middle range bass.
 
#18
Peterson .... oh, you mean "tuning machines".

I have seen several of my customers' instruments with the closed-back tuners where the gear cover has popped off and got lost. I don't know how the heck this happens but it does, though relatively infrequently. I tend to avoid that kind of machine.
 
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#19
sissy kathy said:
They are the standard by which others are judged.
Click to expand...

I think so, too. Given a choice, I always go with Schallers. I do like the "Wavy" Grover tuners on my '73 Rick 4001, but you can't get them any more... and Rick, after a very short run of something else, from late '73 to...?, went with Schallers, too...;)
 
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