Putting hatpegs on an Italian?

I'd either keep the same style or go Italian or Ventian as below

Tuning machines for double basses: What is Good For You?

 

If you've got $1,200 bucks burning a hole in your pocket, it looks like Lemuel has a set of Sloane Venetians left.

Tuning Machines by Rubner, Machine Heads

 

There’s a used set of Sloanes in the classifieds right now. Those would be my first choice, assuming they fit. I’ve seen old Italian basses with hatpegs so esthetically it’s legit.

 

There was a time when I really loved hatpegs. Now I think they're an extra thing to bonk my head on, and to my knowledge add no extra functionality (it might be different if you could "speed tune" by twisting the pegs). It's possible that if the shafts are ebony rather than metal, you'll get a bit of weight savings, but I've come to think the prettiest machines are simple, minimalist gears.

 

You might want to put away a few items on the table in the first photo before posting them...

I have a set of those Rubner hatpegs on one of the basses in the shop. In no way do they compare to Sloans; not even a fair fight.

The first thing I would do is get rid of those plastic (Delrin) bridge adjusters before they break on you at the worst time...

 

I have Rubners on my bass - not hatpegs - and I like them quite a bit. Mine are similar (but not identical) to these:

https://www.thomannmusic.com/rubner_bass_machines_140_nf_002_2.htm

I have only tried Sloanes once and thought they were geared disconcertingly low. The Rubners run smoothly with no discernable backlash and are in a nice sweet spot where they're precise enough but don't require lots of turning to adjust.

 

I don't think there is problem with hatpegs on an Italian bass. Mine is Italian too, and has hatpegs on the tuners.

 

Agree that Viennese hatpegs don’t suit an Italian (or French) bass. Your current tuners look good on that bass.

I have Rubners on my Venetian Serafin copy bass shown below. They work well, look decent and not expensive. I would prefer a thicker key.

Heard the ebony can crack on hatpegs.

There are amazing beautiful machines available. Here are some from Bailey, and there are many others out there. They do get expensive.
Double Bass Tuning Machines | Martyn J Bailey Luthier

 

Rubners on my Golia...love them! I had considered Sloane, but ultimately decided against them.


I used to have an older set of hat pegs on my old German bass. They did look cool, but they were noisy and prone to seizing up in high humidity. They got swapped out for these:


As for your bass, you do you. I bet a set of new hat pegs will look great!

 

Now you have me thinking about tuners!

Your Golia is a very decent instrument.
If the originals have to go I would get top level handmade tuning machines.
Rubners are good but not at the level of some out there. Boutique tuners, that is what I would do on my bass.

In 30 or 40 years when you sell your bass you will get all your money back.
So they cost you nothing. lol