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Replacing Fender tuners

jdbutz

jdbutz

Feb 10, 2007
222
1
Indianola, Iowa
#1
I've got a Highway 1 P bass that I'd like to swap the tuners out of. I was wondering if I could swap the Highway 1 tuners (which are the same as the MIM tuners)

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for the tuners that are in the American Series (made by Fender),

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or ones for 1966-1982 Fenders (made by Hipshot),

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or the reverse wind keys of the pre-1966 Fenders (made by Hipshot),

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I'm planning on adding a matching Hipshot Bass Xtender also. I know that Hipshot makes a direct replacement for the Highway 1, but I'm looking for a different look. Does anyone have any experience doing this? I'm open to any advice or info that people have. Thanks!
 
#4
I'm really thinking about the reverse winding tuners of the pre-1966 Fenders. The cloverleaf is just a tad different than the others, and I'm trying to give my bass a vintage vibe. I'm just wondering if they're too big for my headstock. Anybody know? Besides, I'm just not thrilled with my tuners now. I think that I can do better, quality-wise.
 
#6
Hipshot makes a direct replacement, the HB7, for MIM Fenders. I prefer the old reverse style, though you have to have the holes redrilled, and there's a tab that has to be pressed in on each key. A reasonably sober luthier can do all this for maybe $40. MF has the keys pretty cheap, and they really look good on any Fender. Gotoh makes the exact same ones, at bassguitarparts resource.com. If you're doing it yourself, go with the HB7 (they say on their site that they're direct replacements).
 
#9
If the tuners you already have are the same as those installed on the MIJ's that use the vintage style. They suck and I could understand why you would want to sort them out.

I don't know much about tuners other than what I've experienced playing them and the MIJ vintage that has no fender emblem sucked big time. Trying to get it locked in was a feat. The later fender tuners you have a picture of are smooth and reliable. as on the late J bass.
The tuners on my MIA 75 that look the same as the crap ones but do have fender on them don't have any of the same poor workings of the ones that came on the MIJ. These ones i'm assuming are just a better manufactured item.

The ultralight hipshots are my favorite as used on Sadowsky and Miller 5 string. They seem to be the best I've had any use of. No surprise Sadowsky using them. Never went out and dead smooth dialing in.
 

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