Replacement Tuning Machines for Squier Bronco?

[myke.nytemare]

Does anyone know the post hole size or tuner post size for the machines on a Squier Bronco bass? I have two bronco basses that have those terrible strat-style closed tuners and I want to replace them!

I definitely need smaller Y-key tuners and saw some closed Wilkinson and Grover Tuning Machines that require a 14mm peg hole and some Grovers that require an 18mm hole and also some locking sperzels that require a 7/16" hole.

Which ones would be drop in replacements (barring drilling new screw holes)?

 

[mongo2]

Does anyone know the post hole size or tuner post size for the machines on a Squier Bronco bass? I have two bronco basses that have those terrible strat-style closed tuners and I want to replace them!

I definitely need smaller Y-key tuners and saw some closed Wilkinson and Grover Tuning Machines that require a 14mm peg hole and some Grovers that require an 18mm hole and also some locking sperzels that require a 7/16" hole.

Which ones would be drop in replacements (barring drilling new screw holes)?

I've been working with a couple of Broncos and though I haven't yet felt the need to change the OEM tuners, I've given it some thought and did some searching but I've not found any that are direct replacements.

However, I have no reservations about modding the Bronco as required to work with any tuners I may eventually choose should I ever decide to change them.

 

[LCW]

i thought theu had 3/8 tuner hole size?

if so hipshot makes tuners in that size

 

[mongo2]

i thought theu had 3/8 tuner hole size?

if so hipshot makes tuners in that size

Hipshot makes tuners with a 3/8" string post. They have a bushing/nut which requires a 9/16" hole in the headstock.

 

[Koeda]

Has any one measured the peg holes yet?
What is the diameter and depth?
Thinking of getting one to play around with....
Thanks, David

 

[GlennW]

I think they're 12mm holes. I had a Bronco for a short while and one of the tuners crapped out and another was on the tip of crapping out. I replaced them with some tuners from an Ibby entry level bass, the kind that have four little mounting screws. The gears and posts were much heftier, and they worked with the big holes in the headstock, but the little holes in back needed to be redrilled. I think they're the same as the tuners on budget Epis too.

 

[ponticat]

Has any one measured the peg holes yet?
What is the diameter and depth?

Diameter: .465" - .470" (Call it 15/32")
Depth: .600"
Measured with a digital caliper.

I have four Indonesian-built Broncos, made between 2004 and 2007, that are in almost constant rotation for upgrades. I have used Hipshot Ultralite tuners on two of them. The post diameter is 3/8" and the hex bushing requires a 9/16" diameter hole. I enlarged the original holes with a cheap reamer from Grizzly, five or six dollars I think. The Hipshots are available with cloverleaf or y-shaped knobs and are a extremely nice upgrade over the cheesy originals, beautifully made and hold tuning very well. Be prepared to pay the price: about $85 four a set of four.

 

[Koeda]

Many Thanks,
I have admired your work with the Bronco's - great stuff!

Have a plan for one in the near future. Gonna be going for strat look w/3 EMG SES in there.

David

 

[J.D.B.]

I drilled my headstock out to use the 11mm post Gotohs. They look like the O.E.'s but have bigger posts and clamping bushings. Well worth the bit of extra work. I found them used on Flea-Bay for pretty cheap.

Josh

 

[ponticat]

Many Thanks,
I have admired your work with the Bronco's - great stuff!

Have a plan for one in the near future. Gonna be going for strat look w/3 EMG SES in there.

David

Thank you and good luck with your project!