tuner upgrade on Squier Bronco bass

[Doghouse_Oli]

Hi everyone...

It's my first Post on the BG side of Talkbass!!!!!!

I just bought a Squier Bronco Bass Short Scale. I like the tone alot for the price i've paid.. This will sound great with my surf band!!!!!

The only thing that bugs me is the poor quality of the tuners..... Do someone know what Replacement tuner should I choose if I want to replace them and dont want to make big modification???

Big Thanks you!!!!!!

 

[offhand35]

I don't have personal experience with these tuners, BUT I have had good experience with Stew-Mac!

These are the lowest priced replacement/upgrade bass tuners they offer. Note that one of the reviewers say these are the same ones found on Fender MIM basses.

Stew-Mac does offer a set of Gotoh's for around $46 US if you want to spend more.......

Invalid Link Removed

I have no personal interest in Stewart-MacDonald, only personal experience with them as a consumer......

 

[Bobster]

Just be prepared to ream the existing tuner holes. I believe the Gotohs and similar use 14mm holes.

So the current tuners and ferrules will need to be removed, the holes need to be reamed to fit and the new tuners installed.

Be very careful to not split the headstock when reaming those holes. Unfortunately, I speak from experience there.

Best of luck with this,

Bob

 

[Pilgrim]

Need to ask...what have you encountered that indicates the tuners are problematic?

I've had a Bronco for a couple of years and the tuners work very well, holding tune well and turning easily...so I'm wondering what's different about yours, or what I'm missing.

 

[Doghouse_Oli]

My tuner start to skip when i've remove the original string and and re install new one... But once the string was setup to pitch they kept very stable...... Also I have one key that's buzzing and there is no way just to tight this part of the key, so I put some tape and it kill the noise.... maybe I'll try to find some cheap bronco bass original tuner on the internet and see whats goin' on!!!!!

Thanks for the advices!!!!!!

 

[mongo2]

The tuners on my Bronco have worked well enough for the last couple of years.

 

[jallenbass]

I put 3/8" hipshots in mine and they dropped right in. You'll need to drill a new hole in the back of the headstock for the one screw required. And pop out the old rings.

Now that I think about it maybe I did have to drill out the holes.

 

[J.D.B.]

I used the Gotohs with the 11mm posts after drilling out the headstock holes and filling the former tuner mounting holes. Those factory tiny little tuning machines were a joke fer sure. I also went to a string-through setup to get four separate saddles for better intonation....(we'll just stop there......). These are fun to try and make decent players out of.
Josh

 

[Doghouse_Oli]

Thanks guy's for all your reply's!!!!

Do you know a website where I can find decent 3/8" shaft bass tuner at a great price???

Thanks!!!!

 

[El Pelusa]

Looks like the only tuners you can get without reaming out he existing holes are Ping tuners. The shafts are much thicker than the original crappy tuners and you have the option to leave there covers off. I'll be installing these next week. I'll let you know how I get on..

 

[El Pelusa]

Ok so I just come back from playing a show and decided to have a go installing these PING tuners into my Bronco.

They look great! Much better gear and thicker posts. Only thing I had to do was drill some new holes in the back.

They seem smooth enough. I actually prefer them without the covers. The Ping tuners have a much bigger gear.

 

[WI Short Scaler]

Ok so I just come back from playing a show and decided to have a go installing these PING tuners into my Bronco. View attachment 932726They look great! Much better gear and thicker posts. Only thing I had to do was drill some new holes in the back. View attachment 932727
They seem smooth enough. I actually prefer them without the covers. The Ping tuners have a much bigger gear. View attachment 932728

Have never heard of Ping tuners, will have to check them out for my Bronco neck.

Were they noticeably heavier than the stock ones?

 

[iiipopes]

Have never heard of Ping tuners, will have to check them out for my Bronco neck.

Ping tuners are a cheap Asian make that I would not recommend, having experience with them. They are Gotoh knockoffs.

 

[WI Short Scaler]

Ping tuners are a cheap Asian make that I would not recommend, having experience with them. They are Gotoh knockoffs.

Ok, thanks for the info. The A string on my Bronco neck seems to go flat pretty regularly so thinking I'd like to change them. But since I have no access to a drill press to make careful drilling possible, I'm reluctant to attack the headstock with a drill and split it. Haven't found anyone on here the replaced the stock ones without drilling.

 

[iiipopes]

Ok, thanks for the info. The A string on my Bronco neck seems to go flat pretty regularly so thinking I'd like to change them. But since I have no access to a drill press to make careful drilling possible, I'm reluctant to attack the headstock with a drill and split it. Haven't found anyone on here the replaced the stock ones without drilling.

Hipshot Licensed Ultralites (cheaper than the USA's) might fit, since they come in to tuner post sizes.

 

[WI Short Scaler]

Hipshot Licensed Ultralites (cheaper than the USA's) might fit, since they come in to tuner post sizes.

I looked at those but the smaller size is 3/8" and based on what I've read on TB people still had to "rout out" the holes to fit, which puts me back to attacking my headstock with a drill.

 

[Ferniff]

What was the consensus on new tuners? I'm looking for something better, not pricey, and hopefully will be an easy swap.

 

[WI Short Scaler]

What was the consensus on new tuners? I'm looking for something better, not pricey, and hopefully will be an easy swap.

Ok so I just come back from playing a show and decided to have a go installing these PING tuners into my Bronco. View attachment 932726They look great! Much better gear and thicker posts. Only thing I had to do was drill some new holes in the back. View attachment 932727
They seem smooth enough. I actually prefer them without the covers. The Ping tuners have a much bigger gear. View attachment 932728

What is the model number on the Pings that were an easy swap in the Bronco? As I said, i have no access to a drill press and still have the issue where the A string needs retuning regularly.

 

[WI Short Scaler]

Just an update for anyone looking for replacement tuners on their Bronco bass. My A string especially was constantly in need of tuning, and the E wasn't great either.

I searched all around finally got a model #, Ping 2681, direct drop in, no drilling, holes in the back of the headstock all lined up with the stock tuner holes. I left them covered like the originals but could have gone open gear too. I've had them on for about two weeks, gigged over the weekend, big improvement for me. YMMV

All done in about 1/2 hr, my kinda changeout. I love the vintage look too.

 

[andare]

Just an update for anyone looking for replacement tuners on their Bronco bass. My A string especially was constantly in need of tuning, and the E wasn't great either.

I searched all around finally got a model #, Ping 2681, direct drop in, no drilling, holes in the back of the headstock all lined up with the stock tuner holes. I left them covered like the originals but could have gone open gear too. I've had them on for about two weeks, gigged over the weekend, big improvement for me. YMMV

View attachment 4397720

All done in about 1/2 hr, my kinda changeout. I love the vintage look too.
View attachment 4397721

Can't find Ping P2681 anywhere, where did you buy them?