• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

"Sting" bass owners, is this normal?

F

f.c.geil

May 12, 2011
3,381
265
#1
I just got another Sting bass (replacement), and this one has the same issue as the first, namely seemingly poorly installed tuning machines. They are warped and not flush with the headstock. See images below. Is this an issue, or is it possibly normal? I love the way these basses sound, and otherwise build quality on them seems first rate. I don't want to put more money into a brand new $900 bass, so new tuners and/or luthier work is out of the question. If this will cause problems, I'll send it back (again), but if not, I may just keep it as is. So, will this cause problems, or is it okay? Is it what I should expect on these? If you need other pictures, please tell me what you need, and I'll strive to get you what you need to better diagnose this.

Thanks so much for your help!

photo-1-e1387948838398.jpg


photo-2-e1387948994971.jpg
 
#3
Wow, thats wild! It looks like Fender is failing to drill relief for the tuner clips on the back of the tuners. It' a pretty simple 1/2 hour job for your local repairman. (Shouldn't cost more than 50 bucks really.) The tuners need to be removed & 2 shallow holes drilled for each tuner. Weird that this isn't being done at the factory.
 
#5
M.R. Ogle said:
Weirdly authentic. My old '56 tuners ride the same way.
Click to expand...
That's taking "period correct" to a whole new level.

It can't be good for tuning accuracy, but then those tuners aren't exactly models of precision craftsmanship anyway.

If they're binding or working worse than your typical bent-plate MIM tuner in any way, I'd get it looked at. But if they're working OK and you can live with the way it looks, then why not leave it alone?

From what I hear, a lot of people like those basses.
 
#6
It's normal -- no need to send it back.
What you're seeing is the way Fender originally installed the Kluson reverse tuners. They did it this way for many years, until around the end of 1964, when they began drilling the two large 'divots' into the headstock to allow the tuner plate to install flat against the headstock.
 
#11
tekdiver500ft said:
Wow. Okay, I had no idea that this was normal or correct. Sweet, I don't have to send it back!
Click to expand...

Yep. If it bothers you, you can always drill the divots yourself, or have any competent luthier do it for you. Or, get a set of Gotoh GBR640 Res-O-Lites, which have a smooth backside. A fellow TBer asked me about this issue awhile back. Here's what I sent him, to explain things visually. Hope this helps.

Rev_Tuners_Pinch_Tab_Holes_02_zpsff37f5d9.jpg
 
#12
Willicious said:
It's normal -- no need to send it back.
What you're seeing is the way Fender originally installed the Kluson reverse tuners. They did it this way for many years, until around the end of 1964, when they began drilling the two large 'divots' into the headstock to allow the tuner plate to install flat against the headstock.
Click to expand...

This is true, I have a 65 P neck which has two shallow countersunk holes per tuner. This would be very easy to duplicate with a drill press, or even a hand drill. If it were mine I'd want them to sit flat, ymmv etc.
 
#16
'Vintage correct'? Yes. Is it necessarily going to cause tuning problems? No. Does it look 'wonky'? Yeah, I think so.

It really is an easy project with a drill press and a screwdriver to countersink those clip tabs, thus ending up with clean & flush tuners on the back. Mostly a cosmetic mod, but it's certainly not bad to take some unnecessary pressure off the hardware.

There's no defect here, but those bent tuners dont look 'better' and do nothing for tone or function. On the other hand, eventually they will compress the wood and start laying a tiny bit flatter anyways! (Not all the way, but the wood will give as long as the finish is thin enough...)

It's a good weekend project and you don't need a "luthier" (oh how that term is over applied, imo) just a repairman or any competent carpenter.
 
#17
scotch said:
It's a good weekend project and you don't need a "luthier" (oh how that term is over applied, imo) just a repairman or any competent carpenter.
Click to expand...

It's an easy after-dinner project. Remove all mounting screws, take some black sharpie to the little clip tabs, and loosely re-install the tuners. Now the sharpie will imprint a perfect center mark where you need to drill the countersink divots. Get a drill bit of the right diameter (mentioned upthread), and wrap some scotch tape around the bit to denote the correct divot depth (also mentioned upthread). Then carefully drill into the headstock. The divots don't even need to be perfectly straight. Simple.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back