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Schaller Tuners - Nickel or Chrome

Baker69

Baker69

Mar 24, 2008
2,048
1,149
UK
#1
I'm going to be swapping out the tuners on my Sterling SUB Ray 5 for some Schaller BM's but I notice they come in Nickel and Chrome finishes?

What is the noticeable difference in appearance between them, my gut instinct is to go for the chrome finish but perhaps someone could advise or recommend otherwise? Is the nickel finish not quite as bright & shiny as chrome?

Are there any advantages or disadvantages between having either of the 2 finishes?
 
#3
Baker69 said:
I'm going to be swapping out the tuners on my Sterling SUB Ray 5 for some Schaller BM's but I notice they come in Nickel and Chrome finishes?

What is the noticeable difference in appearance between them, my gut instinct is to go for the chrome finish but perhaps someone could advise or recommend otherwise? Is the nickel finish not quite as bright & shiny as chrome?

Are there any advantages or disadvantages between having either of the 2 finishes?
Click to expand...

Like Richard, says, nickel plating looks darker, and is more of a warm color. Chrome is brighter, more white-blue reflection. Chrome looks newer; Nickel looks older. Nickel plated hardware is usually put on instruments to look more vintage.

Also, nickel plating will tarnish over time. The tarnish doesn't hurt the plating, and it can be cleaned off with metal polish. Nickel plated hardware needs some occasional maintenance. Unless you want it to look tarnished and vintage.

Chrome plating doesn't tarnish and needs no maintenance. It'll stay shiny and new looking forever. Unless it gets covered with slime.

Your choice.
 
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#7
Just depends on what you like - and whether you like polishing the nickel once in a while. Personally, I don't mind polishing nickeled things; I much prefer nickel's warm glow to the cold brightness of chrome. Every Schaller tuner I have on basses - or guitars - are nickel finish. But, like I say; it just depends on what you like - and if you want to invest in a can of Nevr Dull Magic Wadding metal polish...:cool:
 
#8
GIBrat51 said:
Just depends on what you like - and whether you like polishing the nickel once in a while. Personally, I don't mind polishing nickeled things; I much prefer nickel's warm glow to the cold brightness of chrome. Every Schaller tuner I have on basses - or guitars - are nickel finish. But, like I say; it just depends on what you like - and if you want to invest in a can of Nevr Dull Magic Wadding metal polish...:cool:
Click to expand...

Yes, I hear what you say, and as they would be fitted on what was originally a budget bass perhaps the Nickel one's may give it a sort of quality look/feel and as you say chrome can be quite cold and clinical.
 
#10
I did the exact same swap on an older Sterling SUB Ray 5 and to be honest, it was kind of a pain. Nothing on the Sterling tuners lined up with the Schallers. The screw holes were off. The Sterling post holes were way too large. I had to use wood filler to take all of the slop out of the tuner sleeves as the oversized holes put all of the tension on the screws. In the end, it was not a plug-and-play ordeal. For the work, I would install Hipshot Ultralights. I did this on my Sterling Ray 4HH. You can order sleeves to make the Hipshots fit perfectly. You will see the old screw holes. I covered mine with laminate but you don't have to. I used these sleeves for the installation and got them from Hipshot: Adapter Nuts and Bushings 1/2" Licensed Ultralite -> 23/32" (18mm) Headstock Hole / Nickel. The Schallers are nice but heavy. Looking back, I would now go the Hipshot route on my SUB Ray 5 but I am too cheap to change them out again.
 
#11
I did read on here on TB that the holes lined through on one side of the tuners so I've always been aware that there is some work to do, and also I read that you should re-use the stock sleeves which will work and not the Schaller ones which are the incorrect size.

I don't fancy fitting the Hipshot Ultralights and having all 4 screw holes exposed on every tuner, it doesn't really matter though and they are not going to be visible while the bass is being played, but I just like things to look right. With the Schallers they will work fine and look the job. I'm not concerned really about the weight.
 
#13
Baker69 said:
I did read on here on TB that the holes lined through on one side of the tuners so I've always been aware that there is some work to do, and also I read that you should re-use the stock sleeves which will work and not the Schaller ones which are the incorrect size.

I don't fancy fitting the Hipshot Ultralights and having all 4 screw holes exposed on every tuner, it doesn't really matter though and they are not going to be visible while the bass is being played, but I just like things to look right. With the Schallers they will work fine and look the job. I'm not concerned really about the weight.
Click to expand...

In regards to the empty screw holes, no matter what you do, short of painting over. they will always be noticeable. Doweled, or left empty, they’ll alway be easy to see.

My idea is that small tuner screws look better than dowels or empty holes, so have a think about just putting the screws back in the empty holes and calling it good. Going from a vintage tuner plate to ultralights is going to leave scars. To me, shiny screw heads look better than the alternatives. YMMV
 

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