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Lightest tuners on the market

#41
AndyPanda said:
I much prefer the Gotoh GB350 over the hipshot. The weight difference is enough to notice - but the action is much better too. However the Gotoh doesn't come in 1/2". All the same, I like them so much that I've used them on a few basses that need the 1/2" size. I made a sleeve so they would fit.

If you're trying to save weight and going hipshot, be aware that the Clover key weighs more than the Tulip key.
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Out of curiosity, how did you make this sleeve? I may have use for such a thing soon.
 
#42
Eilif said:
Out of curiosity, how did you make this sleeve? I may have use for such a thing soon.
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I may have over engineered it :) I have a bunch of carbon fiber fabric and epoxy resin from other projects. So I turned a dowel the correct diameter and waxed it and then wrapped it with carbon fabric and resin to make a carbon tube. I cut that tube into four sleeves. I planned to glue them into the headstock, but I was experimenting so I just pushed them in (tight fit) and that was two years ago - they are still working fine so I may never glue them in.

If I were doing it again, I'd probably take scissors (not your wife's "good scissors") and cut a beer can into strips and wrap the aluminum strips around a dowel. Much easier and faster.

Carbon_Sleeve.jpg
 
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#44
AndyPanda said:
I may have over engineered it :) I have a bunch of carbon fiber fabric and epoxy resin from other projects. So I turned a dowel the correct diameter and waxed it and then wrapped it with carbon fabric and resin to make a carbon tube. I cut that tube into four sleeves. I planned to glue them into the headstock, but I was experimenting so I just pushed them in (tight fit) and that was two years ago - they are still working fine so I may never glue them in.

If I were doing it again, I'd probably take scissors (not your wife's "good scissors") and cut a beer can into strips and wrap the aluminum strips around a dowel. Much easier and faster.

View attachment 2753056
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Thanks for that. I may give the beer can method a try.
 
#45
Well, I recommend you doing this. Since you are going to take away the tuners and strings anyway:

Does the bass neck dive still with ALL of the present tuners off, and strings?

Then you will not mitigate any neck dive at all with any lightweight tuner, not even lessen it significantly. Especially not since it is a Warwick Thumb. BUT! If it starts to even out, and get balanced, you might get better results with RES-O-LITES or any else of these lightweight ones.
 
#46
Honch said:
Well, I recommend you doing this. Since you are going to take away the tuners and strings anyway:

Does the bass neck dive still with ALL of the present tuners off, and strings?

Then you will not mitigate any neck dive at all with any lightweight tuner, not even lessen it significantly. Especially not since it is a Warwick Thumb. BUT! If it starts to even out, and get balanced, you might get better results with RES-O-LITES or any else of these lightweight ones.
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I have solutionized the neck dive problem with one of my greatest engineering miracles to date: a counterweight that attaches to the bottom strap button.

The more weight I shave off with the tuners the less counterweight I need...

The thumb is horrible for neck dive. But it has tone in spades, and I love the neck. It's 10x easier to play now that my left hand is not tasked with fretting AND holding up the neck.
 
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#47
Yes, the Wick thumb is the don of neck dives. You can let having made a metal/iron replica of your back plate on the body, if is made of plastic. I did that for one repair I did on a Wawick (although not a thumb) and it eased it off a bit. Not fully, but so much it wasn't diving when held at angle. I had a shop made it quite cheap and quickly.
 
#48
AndyPanda said:
I much prefer the Gotoh GB350 over the hipshot. The weight difference is enough to notice - but the action is much better too. However the Gotoh doesn't come in 1/2". All the same, I like them so much that I've used them on a few basses that need the 1/2" size. I made a sleeve so they would fit.
Click to expand...

When using Gotoh GB350s on a headstock with oversized holes, I just flip the washer over so the bevel side of the washer helps center the tuner in the hole. I did the same with Hipshot U/L but the Gotohs have been my tuner of choice since they were introduced.
 
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#50
feschyn said:
I found that in order to get Hipshot Ultralights for my 4+1 headstock I had to buy a 4-pack and then a single separately. I was a bit surprised in this day and age that I could not buy a 4+1 set. I wound up buying the 4-pack from Musician's Friend, which was running a nice promotion, and the single tuner for the treble side of the headstock from Best Bass Gear.
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Hipshot Ultralights (not Hipshot Lic.) are reversible
 
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#57
I swapped mine all with Gotoh GB350 Res-O-Lites, even the Crossover one (Bass VI / baritone kinda)...

Ibanez Basses Equipped with GB350 Res-O-Lite Tuners.png


Some were tight fit, some were slightly wiggle. I didn't put anything to fill the gap with on the loose ones, cause they were only a tad and the original tuners were just the same. I suspected that they were only wood change due to climate. I just made sure that the nut sleeve and the screws were tightened. No effect or whatsoever on the usage.
 
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#59
So I got the Gotoh Res-O-Lites installed on the Warwick Thumb, and they are a big improvement over the stock tuners. Much more precise and smooth.

The weight saving weren't enough to ditch my counterweight, but every bit helps on this particular bass...
 

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