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Replacement for Ibanez Velve Tune II tuners

Discussion in 'Hardware, Setup & Repair [BG]' started by EpicSoundtracks, May 31, 2019.

  1. May 31, 2019 #1
    EpicSoundtracks

    EpicSoundtracks

    Mar 10, 2006
    Oakland, CA
    Lollar Pickups, Dunlop Strings
    Howdy folks. I've got a 1986 RB630 Roadstar bass that needs tuners. I can't afford to buy 4 original Velve Tunes, so i'm looking at aftermarket options. The O.D. of the Velve Tune bushing is 17mm, and I'd prefer a Gotoh-style tuner to a clover. Are there any off the shelf options that would drop in? I found this Wilkinson that looks like it might do the trick, 17.1mm bushing, and the price is right at $10 each:

    [​IMG]

    I also have a set of Yamaha tuners knocking around that would work and looks pretty good, but they use 14mm bushings. Is it possible to add a bushing to the post holes in the headstock to reduce the I.D. from 17ish to 14mms?

    Thanks so much!
     
  2. Jun 2, 2019 #2
    bigtone23

    bigtone23

    Dec 10, 2014
    Denver, CO
    Grover Titans worked great in lieu of Velve Tunes on a RB820 I used to own.
     
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  3. Jun 2, 2019 #3
    wraub

    wraub

    Apr 9, 2004
    ennui, az
    You can use metal foil tape to reduce the tuner holes, just wrap the 14mm bushing with tape until it fits.


    edit: At the moment there are numerous original Ibanez tuners, as singles, on the bay for $9.99, several modern import sets that should fit for $12-20, and a full original set of Smooth Tuner II for $80.

    ...also, as the owner of two ancient Ibanii, the prices of old hardware are shocking.
     
    Last edited: Jun 2, 2019
    malikcamlica and EpicSoundtracks like this.
  4. Jun 2, 2019 #4
    EpicSoundtracks

    EpicSoundtracks

    Mar 10, 2006
    Oakland, CA
    Lollar Pickups, Dunlop Strings
    thank you! i’ll have to search again — when i looked i didn’t see any 17 or 18mm OD ones.
     
  5. Jun 2, 2019 #5
    wraub

    wraub

    Apr 9, 2004
    ennui, az
    The RB 630 is 4 on a side, correct? With the heart shaped clover leafs?

    edit: My handy Internet-based converter shows 11/16" to be ~17.4mm.
    0.4mm difference doesn't seem to be terribly different...have you looked at 11/16" tuners?
     
    Last edited: Jun 2, 2019
  6. Jun 2, 2019 #6
    EpicSoundtracks

    EpicSoundtracks

    Mar 10, 2006
    Oakland, CA
    Lollar Pickups, Dunlop Strings
    4 on a side yes, but the 1986 630 uses regular Y-shaped keys, not the hearts.
     
  7. Jun 2, 2019 #7
    wraub

    wraub

    Apr 9, 2004
    ennui, az
    Ok, my bad.
    And, you prefer the smaller style?

     
  8. Jun 2, 2019 #8
    EpicSoundtracks

    EpicSoundtracks

    Mar 10, 2006
    Oakland, CA
    Lollar Pickups, Dunlop Strings
    i do, solely to keep the stock look (if possible). not a deal breaker tho, just a slight preference.
     
  9. Jun 2, 2019 #9
    wraub

    wraub

    Apr 9, 2004
    ennui, az
    Gotoh style, not clovers, 4 on a side... Silver?
    and, not these...[​IMG]

    Price range?
    Asking for search purposes...

     
    Last edited: Jun 2, 2019
  10. Jun 2, 2019 #10
    EpicSoundtracks

    EpicSoundtracks

    Mar 10, 2006
    Oakland, CA
    Lollar Pickups, Dunlop Strings
    correct on down the line. sub-$50 maybe? trying to do this on the cheap ...
     
  11. Jun 2, 2019 #11
    wraub

    wraub

    Apr 9, 2004
    ennui, az
    I've been looking, and, you're right, not super-common.
    Still looking, though. ;)

    Also found this, a TB thread where there's mention of using metal tape as a "filler".
    17mm tuner post in 18mm hole? Bushings available?

     
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