Squier Vintage Modified 70s Jazz Bass Replacement Tuners

[Jeremy Crockett]

I recently acquired a 2018 Squier VM Jazz Bass. After pulling the old, crusty strings off, cleaning the fretboard, and polishing the frets I attempted to re-string the bass. It was then that I discovered that the E machine head gear was damaged to the point where it could not be turned beyond the bunged-up gear teeth.

After searching here for an appropriate thread, I discovered that the question had only been asked once, back in 2008. So, rather than bumping an ancient thread, I thought I would post the solution that I found just in case someone searches for the same answer 16 years from now.

From what I could gather, there are no "drop-in" replacements for this particular line of Squiers. Hipshots (HB1 or HB7) were suggested in the above-mentioned thread but I am way too cheap to pay $44 each for machine heads.

I ended up on Amazon and found a set of Guyker Bass Tuners for $31. Luckily I had a $50 gift card on my account so I am still only $220 into the bass.

After watching this gentleman's video on replacing tuners,



I thought I would be competent enough to not worry about drilling holes in the headstock.

The bushings required some force to press into place and the overall size of the tuners is rather large but (again) they work and work well. At least so far they do.

Here is the result:

I hope someone finds this helpful. Any comments/criticisms are welcome. Thank you for your indulgence.

 

[Matt Liebenau]

I’m glad you got the tuners replaced and they look good. Be cautious using too much force to press the bushings in. They can split the headstock if they’re too much bigger. An ideal would be a light to medium hand press fit.

 

[Jeremy Crockett]

I’m glad you got the tuners replaced and they look good. Be cautious using too much force to press the bushings in. They can split the headstock if they’re too much bigger. An ideal would be a light to medium hand press fit.

Thank you for that. I will keep this in mind if there are any future endeavors on my part for such a replacement.

However, I keep telling myself "GAS is over".

You may all laugh derisively now.

 

[Matt Liebenau]

Thank you for that. I will keep this in mind if there are any future endeavors on my part for such a replacement.

However, I keep telling myself "GAS is over".

You may all laugh derisively now.

I’ve said that many, many times. Now however most of my GAS if for tools to build instruments.

Where's Port Saint Lucie? My folks live in Bellevue near Ocala.

 

[Jeremy Crockett]

I’ve said that many, many times. Now however most of my GAS if for tools to build instruments.

Where's Port Saint Lucie? My folks live in Bellevue near Ocala.

My Mother-in-law lives near Ocala as well. We're down SE from Ocala, about 45 miles North of West Palm Beach. They call the general area "The Treasure Coast". We've been here six years this past January.

 

[Matt Liebenau]

My Mother-in-law lives near Ocala as well. We're down SE from Ocala, about 45 miles North of West Palm Beach. They call the general area "The Treasure Coast". We've been here six years this past January.

Cool. I think we went through there the last time I visited 5 or 6 years ago.

 

[DCCat]

From what I could gather, there are no "drop-in" replacements for this particular line of Squiers. Hipshots (HB1 or HB7) were suggested in the above-mentioned thread but I am way too cheap to pay $44 each for machine heads.

Glad you found something you liked at a good price. But just for your (or others') information, "this particular line of Squiers" is a tricky statement. Someone at Hipshot told me that they don't claim compatibility with any Squiers because during any given manufacturing run, they'll use whatever hardware is available at the time, which might be different from the previous run. So basically, it's important to measure as precisely as possible. It turns out HB-7's worked for me, just barely. But I did have to sand out the holes a bit in order for the bushings to fit without too much force.