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Question About Lollipop Tuners On Fenders

ctufankjian

ctufankjian

Sep 28, 2007
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Endorsing Artist: Unicornbass.se
#1
It's always been my understanding that the oval lollipop tuners came on transitional period Fender basses, or instruments from 65/66. I'm wondering if it would be possible for an instrument stamped 1968 to come equiped with these keys. I have a bass that's stamped 1968, and has these, and otherwise resembles an earlier post CBS bass. The logo is the earlier version etc. Has anyone ever seen these tuners on basses made later than 1966?
:eyebrow:
 
#2
It's very possible. Fender employees would generally randomly reach into a box for parts, as needed. There are all sorts of Fenders constructed with parts from different years of manufacture.

Because of this, a bass with a serial number of xxx678 might actually be older than one with a number of xxx237.
 
#3
Pics

Fender1.jpg
 
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#7
ctufankjian said:
I'm sure you can imagine how siked I am to hear that!
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That's a real beautiful Precision you got there, it has quite a few of the early details left over. I'd sure like to know if it still has a C width neck, or a B neck.
It for sure has the transition logo that coincides with the tuners. About mid 68 is when Fender came out with the B width neck, the big TV headstock logo, and the tuners changed from ovals to elephant ears.
 
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#8
I had a '68 Precision that had lollipops that were original. While I had the bass, I did a little bit of research around the internet, and the impression I got was that it was more Precisions that received these at a later date, while Jazzes got them more around '66.
 
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#10
Caca de Kick said:
That's a real beautiful Precision you got there, it has quite a few of the early details left over. I'd sure like to know if it still has a C width neck, or a B neck.
It for sure has the transition logo that coincides with the tuners. About mid 68 is when Fender came out with the B width neck, the big TV headstock logo, and the tuners changed from ovals to elephant ears.
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Which is wider at the nut? B or C. I've had several p basses from the 70's and I found the nut to be much wider.
 
#15
Guys I have a question - are there any Lollipop tuners, that will fit in my 51 Precision Reissue (Japan) and E and A mechanics are reversed? I love these shape of tuners, but I dont know, if exists what I´m looking for... Thanks for any advice.
 
#16
My '68 Precision (Jan 68 neck date) came with a B-width neck, the older style smaller decal and lollipop tuners.

If anyone is interested I have an as-new set of Hipshot HB2 lollipops for sale for $50 shipped. Will fit 1967-82 Fender basses or reissues from that era. PM me if interested, I'll post in the TB Classifieds as soon as I can take some pictures. Here's the info from the Hipshot site:

HB2 Lollypop > Store > Hipshot Products.
 
#18
Lollipop tuners were on jazz basses from 1965 and on precision basses from 1967 until Fender switched to Schaller 'elephant ears' tuners in 1968. I read somewhere that lollipops were manufactured in-house by Fender. Perhaps someone will confirm that
 
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#20
Bass_Kiwi said:
Guys I have a question - are there any Lollipop tuners, that will fit in my 51 Precision Reissue (Japan) and E and A mechanics are reversed? I love these shape of tuners, but I dont know, if exists what I´m looking for... Thanks for any advice.
Click to expand...

Bass_Kiwi said:
Nobody knows? :(
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As far as I know, all the Japanese '51 P reissues came with the reverse-wind pre-CBS style reissue tuners, which have a different hole pattern than the lollipop tuners. The lollipops have the same hole pattern as the "elephant ear" tuners of the late '60s and '70s. If you really want lollipops, you can drill new holes in the headstock for them, and the lollipops' base plates will cover up the old holes (FYI).

Also, the lollipops are not reverse-wind, but they will still work on your bass regardless if it has reverse tuners installed now.
 
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