Double Bass Upright Tuning Machines (Pegs)

[alohajoy123]

Hey guys, thanks for all your info and support. I have been realizing that the individual tuning machines do come in a lot more styles, and a friend mentioned to me that I could always mount them on a plate. But I like the look of ind. tuners, with the wood spacing between them.

I'm kinda narrowing it down to either Matthew and Ed's tuning machines, or the Krutz. Michael Abarientos got back to me via email, and he said the price for the heart-shaped ones that are pictured are $275 + ship. The Krutz that are pictured are $365 + ship.

I like the look of both, but Krutz looks are little more intricate. Krutz's are 36:1, and solid brass. The "heart-shaped" ones look to be 26:1, and are also solid brass with stainless steel. Here in this weather, you need stainless steel, something that won't rust.

Both Matthew and Ed use that one tuning machine, and I haven't seen a bad word about it. Krutz get lots of praise, but one guy on my email list said that he got his set, one gear out of four was giving him problems, and I should watch out if/when I order those to make sure same quality for all four. But I would take that into consideration on any set that I purchase.

Sloanes are out of budget and would give me fits when I change strings (which isn't often anyways) but I'm rough with my toys, and need something to stand the test of time. That one post by Cpike didn't make Slaones fit well with me for that amount of money ($599).

Thanks for all your time and info. We're getting somewhere. Paul, if I had the money, I would get yours...FOR SURE!!!

 

[Don Higdon]

These are on my walnut bass -
http://www.aesbass.com/images/claro/claro_scroll.htm
Arnold Schnitzer put them on. I don't know who made them.

 

[Paul Warburton]

These are on my walnut bass -
http://www.aesbass.com/images/claro/claro_scroll.htm
Arnold Schnitzer put them on. I don't know who made them.

Baker style Sloanes. Figures. I rest my case.

Aloha....changing strings isn't an issue. A cordless drill with a special bit that fits on the handles of the machines makes string changes a snap. (pun intended)

 

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

FWIW, the Krutz machines are also available with plain handles.

 

[Ken McKay]

I have some Sloan gears. I don't see any adds for these here or from their suppliers so I hope it is OK to mention this here.

If not, I will remove this, MODS.

 

[bassist14]

Hey, can you guys post some pics of awesome looking tuning machines? What are some of the great tuning machines you've seen?

i like these:
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[brandonwong]

I stock a couple of Shen basses and the tuners are excellent as well.
They are fully brass and turns beautifully.
There is a 26:1 and a 36:1 version. I don't see any US site carrying them as sets but you might be able to speak to steveswanguitars.com or nickloyd about them.

Check out the tuners at www.cscproducts.com

 

[Matthew Tucker]

i like these:
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FANTASTIC! Where can I get them?

... Or do I have to bring my own screwdriver??

 

[bassist14]

FANTASTIC! Where can I get them?

... Or do I have to bring my own screwdriver??

it´s a schofield at thwaites; you bring the screwdriver and i try to distract the guys at the shop, ok?

 

[Matthew Tucker]

Might be quicker to just lop off the whole scroll. - I will bring a saw.

 

[brandonwong]

I will take the body.

 

[Paul Warburton]

Might be quicker to just lop off the whole scroll. - I will bring a saw.

Cool....while you're making your get-away with the scroll, I'll come in with my saw and get the tuning box with the machines....

 

[forester]

shame..you all would steal a stove and come back for the smoke!

 

[Matthew Tucker]

Sorry Paul, I wanted the whole thing.

 

[Carl Johnson]

shame..you all would steal a stove and come back for the smoke!

Depends on what type of smoke we're talkin' bout

Sorry but Paul's tuners win, none others come even close. I can believe there is'nt some factory in china cranking (sorry) these things out by the train load...

 

[Paul Warburton]

Sorry Paul, I wanted the whole thing.

Pig.



Thanks, Carl.....they are "different". Joeseph Bohmann was a "different" kinda guy.

 

[GriffithLea]

WRT the Sloane gears being slow at restringing time - I actually find them faster than anything else! I just loosen the old string until it's flabby, then (while holding onto the big round gear that the worm gear drives) remove the tuner handle (the bit with the worm gear). Then I can release the remaining tension in the string and remove it from the instrument very quickly.

Installing the new string is the reverse of removal. Just use the big round gear like a knob and wind the string on by hand, then reinstall the worm gear and tune 'er up.

 

[JoeyNaeger]

WRT the Sloane gears being slow at restringing time - I actually find them faster than anything else! I just loosen the old string until it's flabby, then (while holding onto the big round gear that the worm gear drives) remove the tuner handle (the bit with the worm gear). Then I can release the remaining tension in the string and remove it from the instrument very quickly.

Installing the new string is the reverse of removal. Just use the big round gear like a knob and wind the string on by hand, then reinstall the worm gear and tune 'er up.

I'm going to have to try that. I usually use a drill to crank the pegs but I don't like the vibrations that sends through neck.

 

[SAlcott]

I've used a drill for years to change strings. You must use a variable-speed drill. If you're getting vibration, it's because you're not lined up accurately with the tuner shaft.

 

[JoeyNaeger]

Yeah, unfortunately one of my pegs is actually a little bent, so it's always going to shake.