Slipping vintage tuners...

[Claymore]

Can't seem to find a solution to this problem. Tightening the screw doesn't help. I have two 70s-era basses and by no small coincidence, those are the only instruments I have that don't hold their tuning for very long. I would like to keep the original tuners if you know a hack to keep them from slipping. Any way to restore them to their former glory? Otherwise, I will have to get replacement vintage-style tuners. Thanks in advance!

 

[96tbird]

Tuner slippage is nearly a myth, it’s usually always another issue if the tuner gears are tight. My ‘62 jazz stays in tune just fine.

first check witness points, how the strings are wrapped/locked into the tuner capstan. Pics of the turners and string wraps will help.

 

[RSBBass]

What 96Tbird says. Also check the nut. If the strings are hanging up in the nut they will de-tune after a bit of playing.

 

[Fun Size Nick]

What 96Tbird says. Also check the nut. If the strings are hanging up in the nut they will de-tune after a bit of playing.

+1 to all of this but especially to this response. Try a bit of graphite in the nut slots, and if there appears to be any roughness or burring in the slots, smooth that out as well. The gear ratio of the machine heads is so high (from the perspective of the string trying to turn the peg) that it’s seriously unlikely to be something in the machine itself.