• 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.

Tuners for a Rick 4001

GIBrat51

GIBrat51

Innocent as the day is long
Supporting Member
Mar 5, 2013
10,145
16,078
St Joseph County., Indiana
#1
c '73 Ric 4001-3.JPG R4001-6.JPG R4001-4.JPG I've put it off as long as I can, but... My '73 4001 has got to have some major work done. It's developed Negative Neck Angle to the point that I can't lower the bridge any more for good string height. It's... playable, but not for much longer. So, off to a Rick specialist it goes. And, since I will have so much done to it, I'm thinking of replacing the.. somewhat delicate... old Wavy Grovers, too. So, my question is, what really good tuners will drop into the smaller-than-Shaller tuner holes on a 4001? I would prefer a set of clover leaf tuners, of course; and I'll ream the holes out if I have no other choice. But, I'd prefer to leave the head stock as unmolested as I can. So, suggestions, please...?
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Garret Graves
#2
No good news to offer, I really searched for alternative clover leafs for my Ric clone builds, very slim pickings. Most of the Fender sized cloverleafs look comically oversized. The Ric branded Schallers have shorter tuner ear shafts and smaller cloverleafs that look right. The tuner shafts are smaller too. In your shoes I’d just get the Ric Schallers. Pricey!
 
#4
Take a look at the Hipshot HB6 too. The USA made one with a 3/8 post takes a smaller headstock hole than the HB5 and it is available in a mini clover that measures 1.3 inches across the top of the key. I don't think it will cover your Grover screw holes though.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Gilmourisgod
#5
Gilmourisgod said:
The Hipshot HB-5’s are another option, advertised as drop in replacement. It looks like the back plates would cover the Grover screw holes too. Are the Grover wavy tuners unobtanium?

Hipshot Rickenbacker Replacement Tuner - HB5 - Best Bass Gear
Click to expand...

Thanks; I'll look into those. And, yes; Wavy Grovers are very expensive unobtainium. I can't remember the last time I saw a complete set for sale; and the price for a partial set? Last ones I saw would make 3 sets of Schallers seem cheap...:thumbsup:

sissy kathy said:
Take a look at the Hipshot HB6 too. The USA made one with a 3/8 post takes a smaller headstock hole than the HB5 and it is available in a mini clover that measures 1.3 inches across the top of the key. I don't think it will cover your Grover screw holes though.
Click to expand...

Thanks; I'll look into those, too. Since the whole bass will have to be refinished (it's been borderline abused, appearance-wise), filling the Grover screw holes shouldn't be a problem...:thumbsup:
 
#6
sissy kathy said:
Take a look at the Hipshot HB6 too. The USA made one with a 3/8 post takes a smaller headstock hole than the HB5 and it is available in a mini clover that measures 1.3 inches across the top of the key. I don't think it will cover your Grover screw holes though.
Click to expand...

GIBrat51 said:
Thanks; I'll look into those. And, yes; Wavy Grovers are very expensive unobtainium. I can't remember the last time I saw a complete set for sale; and the price for a partial set? Last ones I saw would make 3 sets of Schallers seem cheap...:thumbsup:



Thanks; I'll look into those, too. Since the whole bass will have to be refinished (it's been borderline abused, appearance-wise), filling the Grover screw holes shouldn't be a problem...:thumbsup:
Click to expand...
Those may hang over the edges of the headstock a bit. I just bit the bullet and reamed out the post holes on my old July '73 4001 and installed Ultralites on that bass. The Slimlines were in really poor condition on that bass, but the ones on my old March '73 4001 were salvageable and were rebuilt with machine screws to hold the cover in place on the mounting plates.
 
#7
Jeff Scott said:
Those may hang over the edges of the headstock a bit. I just bit the bullet and reamed out the post holes on my old July '73 4001 and installed Ultralites on that bass. The Slimlines were in really poor condition on that bass, but the ones on my old March '73 4001 were salvageable and were rebuilt with machine screws to hold the cover in place on the mounting plates.
Click to expand...

Thanks. The Grovers on mine are OK for now, but I know their propensity for coming apart with age. I'm probably wrong, but I have the feeling they're on borrowed time. In any case, I'll have to wait until the yearly "Write the IRS a check" dance is over, before I do anything. Lots of time yet, for research and pondering...:thumbsup:
 
#8
GIBrat51 said:
Thanks. The Grovers on mine are OK for now, but I know their propensity for coming apart with age. I'm probably wrong, but I have the feeling they're on borrowed time. In any case, I'll have to wait until the yearly "Write the IRS a check" dance is over, before I do anything. Lots of time yet, for research and pondering...:thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Those Wavey Grovers fall apart because the cover is all that holds the key in place. Keep the cover secure and they'll hold up fine. Many of them have the covers screwed to the headstock instead of the plate.
 
#10
Jeff Scott said:
How is that done? :confused:

As in, what's the procedure to screw the back cover directly to the headstock?
Click to expand...
I would loosen the string, remove the cover and use the toothpick trick, then reattach the cover. I don't know if it is necessary or not but I would wait a day to retune. AFAIK that only works for the ones that were produced that way. The ones that have the little studs that stick into the plate, I'd try respreading the pin with a punch.
 
Last edited:
#11
I have done the re-swaging thing a couple of times. That doesn't last very long. Drilling the pins out and tapping holes for small machine screws that would screw in from the headstock side of the tuning key's baseplates into the tapped holes in the edges of the cover it really the only viable solution to fix the Slimlines. BTDT
 
#15
No worries. :cool: The WD ones are pretty common among cheap inexpensive import basses. The Grover's covers are staked onto the mounting plate with four posts that are peened into submission, but not quite enough. :D
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back