Those GIANT Fender tuning keys!

[Ekulati]

After starting with a Fender back in the 80s, then switching for years to other basses (Carvin, Yamaha, Hofner), then grabbing another Fender a couple years ago, I finally figured out what feels weird to me: it's the giant tuning keys.

Likely of course these are a carry over, when Leo first did his thing, from the double bass, which the P etc. was designed as an alternative.

But they just seem, to me anyway, so...I dunno... unnecessarily big!

YMMV. Just commenting. No response required.

 

[mongo2]

The original Fender bass tuners were modified Double Bass tuners which happen to be quite large.

Danelectro and Hofner use guitar sized tuners. I recently replaced the "skate key" tuners on my Danelectro made Silvertone 1444 with Kluson style guitar tuners.

 

[InternetAlias]

Yup, they are huge. For my next bass build I bought guitar tuners with sufficiently large holes, I will only need to widen one of them, and that's for the E string.

 

[ashtray]

I want a set of lollipop tuners for my next P bass.

 

[elgranluis]

Well, the fender bass and headstock are quite large . Tiny tuners would probably look odd

 

[JIO]

I want a set of lollipop tuners for my next P bass.

Gotoh now makes an accurate RI of the lollipop tuner (as late 60's) - only thing different is the missing Fender stamp. I for one like the big tuners, especially the pops and 70's clovers. Small tuners on a Fender headstock look out of proportion.

 

[InternetAlias]

Well, the fender bass and headstock are quite large . Tiny tuners would probably look odd

Well, the obvious next step is to reduce the size of the headstock, too I like ernie ball guitars' 4+2 headstocks, I imagine a 3 + 1 headstock that's guitar sized would still suit fender basses.

 

[Paulabass]

A bass key should be big enough to serve a holiday ham on.

 

[Gluvhand]

Well, the obvious next step is to reduce the size of the headstock, too I like ernie ball guitars' 4+2 headstocks, I imagine a 3 + 1 headstock that's guitar sized would still suit fender basses.

Reducing the headstock would probably just make the “dead spot” issue worse. Or not.

 

[MoeTown1986]

Funny, I can't stand a bass with smaller than Fender sized tuners. HAHAHA, I like the big ol' clovers and lollipops.

 

[InternetAlias]

Reducing the headstock would probably just make the “dead spot” issue worse. Or not.

Depends on too many factors to consistently predict what would happen, but there are small headstock'd guitars and bass guitars that don't have dead spots.

 

[Gluvhand]

Depends on too many factors to consistently predict what would happen, but there are small headstock'd guitars and bass guitars that don't have dead spots.

I totally agree but you don’t generally see people removing mass from Fender headstocks to try and correct dead spots.

 

[InternetAlias]

I totally agree but you don’t generally see people removing mass from Fender headstocks to try and correct dead spots.

I know people who've accidentally removed a dead spot from their fender basses by installing lighter tuners. Apparently it works. It seems that it's the mass change that helps, not additional mass or reduction of it necessarily. Of course since we don't absolutely understand the mechanics of the issue or all the peculiarities of every piece of wood and the overall construction, theorizing past that is unnecessary, it just comes down to practice.

 

[B-Mac]

After starting with a Fender back in the 80s, then switching for years to other basses (Carvin, Yamaha, Hofner), then grabbing another Fender a couple years ago, I finally figured out what feels weird to me: it's the giant tuning keys.

Likely of course these are a carry over, when Leo first did his thing, from the double bass, which the P etc. was designed as an alternative.

But they just seem, to me anyway, so...I dunno... unnecessarily big!

YMMV. Just commenting. No response required.

Unless it’s a Lyte

 

[GretschWretch]

It's the giant tuning keys that tell me, "This is a BASS!"

 

[tpaul]

I like the heart-shaped tuners that Ibanez used to use.

Since Fender has the clovers and Ibanez has the hearts, that leaves spades and diamonds up for grabs...

 

[Drucifer]

I like the heart-shaped tuners that Ibanez used to use.

Since Fender has the clovers and Ibanez has the hearts, that leaves spades and diamonds up for grabs...

Pink Hearts, Yellow Moons, Orange Stars, Green Clovers, Blue Diamonds, and Purple Horseshoes

 

[Acoop]

I like the size of the original tuners and thought the small shaft late 60's and 70's tuners a bit odd. ... Just shows to go yeah!

 

[jnsnj]

Agreed the tuners are unnecessarily large but so is the headstock. I put a neck with a 2x2 headstock on a pbass body and it fits in a guitar case.

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

They certainly have a cool vintage look, but they add a lot of unnecessary weight. If I ever got a Fender-style bass, I would replace them with Hipshot Ultralite or Gotoh Res-O-Lite versions.