Replacing classic tuners with modern ones

[GniQQ]

Does anyone have any experience on replacing "classic" tuners with modern ones?

To clarify, this is what I call "classic":
(clover shaped, giant, open gear)

And this is what I call modern:
(Y-ish shaped, smaller, closed machinery)

Are there any serious issues with the hole size, additional screws etc that is not resolvable? Are there perhaps kits for this exact purpose?

PS: victim would be a Harley Benton JB40FL which is an exact replica of the Squier 60s Classic Vibe

 

[Bloomfield]

What is the reason for changing them?

 

[GniQQ]

What is the reason for changing them?

First and foremost I never liked these. Secondly I want to replace anyway and I like (and trust) the closed oil mechanics way more.

 

[dwizum]

There really are no show stoppers with making this swap and all the problems are easily solvable. It's a matter of finding a tuner with the correct bushing size to fit your headstock (many brands are available in different post/bushing sizes, and/or they'll sell conversion bushings if you ask for them). Then you'll need to drill a hole for the correct location of the alignment screw. If you don't care about the old screw holes showing, you can leave them alone (doing so also makes it possible to easily swap back to the original tuners).

Worst case, if you end up with a modern tuner that doesn't fit the hushing holes, you can dowel them and drill to the correct size.

 

[GniQQ]

Thanks, I thought so but it's never a bad idea to ask others with more experience.

 

[JW56789]

As Dwizum pointed out, typically sealed-gear tuners (gotoh GB7, schaller M4's, etc.) have smaller posts than the big open-geared tuners. You simply have to find a replacement that is possible with the two sizes involved and the skill of the person doing the work.

 

[iiipopes]

Yes. I have replaced most of my traditional elephant ear tuners with Hipshots. Then again, it doesn't matter to me that the back of the headstock may have extra holes from the different positions of the retainer screws, since I gig, I do not collect. In my experience the 3/8 Hipshot tuners fit through the tuner bushings of many Squier and related bass necks just fine, and are a direct retrofit for the Gotoh and similar tuners on Ibanez and other basses.

 

[GniQQ]

Yes. I have replaced most of my traditional elephant ear tuners with Hipshots. Then again, it doesn't matter to me that the back of the headstock may have extra holes from the different positions of the retainer screws, since I gig, I do not collect. In my experience the 3/8 Hipshot tuners fit through the tuner bushings of many Squier and related bass necks just fine, and are a direct retrofit for the Gotoh and similar tuners on Ibanez and other basses.

Extremely valuable response, than you!

 

[Booksbrown]

Does anyone have any experience on replacing "classic" tuners with modern ones?

To clarify, this is what I call "classic":
(clover shaped, giant, open gear)
View attachment 4610839

And this is what I call modern:
(Y-ish shaped, smaller, closed machinery)
View attachment 4610842

Are there any serious issues with the hole size, additional screws etc that is not resolvable? Are there perhaps kits for this exact purpose?

PS: victim would be a Harley Benton JB40FL which is an exact replica of the Squier 60s Classic Vibe

I've noticed there is also this style that combines traditional clover and modern . Has anyone tried them?