Double Bass Upright Tuning Machines (Pegs)

[Don Higdon]

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

Mine, too (not the Sloanes). That's why it's so important that the drill be variable speed. You can reduce the lateral forces and prevent further bending.

 

[alohajoy123]

Thank you guys for all your input, knowledge, wizzardry, etc...For the bass I have, I'm going to settle on the Krutz...if I had a more expensive bass, I would get the Sloanes, but I don't believe the bass I have now is worthy of Sloanes...I'm going to save up, get a great bass, and put the Sloanes on that...that's the next goal...

 

[GriffithLea]

Mine, too (not the Sloanes). That's why it's so important that the drill be variable speed. You can reduce the lateral forces and prevent further bending.

They make flexible drill extensions - I wonder if that would help with a bent tuner handle?

 

[alohajoy123]

I still have a question on how to lubricate the gear mechanism...what on the tuning machine needs to be oiled every once-in-a-while? Is it the housing where the key turns? The place where the teeth of the gears and tuning key meet? The tuning bar that holds the string, where it meets on the bass head?

Sorry if it seems like I don't know, but I want to know where, and if its bad to put it in certain other places, if it will ruin the tuning machine...

 

[alohajoy123]

Sorry its been awhile, but just letting you folks know that I bought a set of Krutz tuning machines from KC Strings. They come in this week, and I'll get 'em installed ASAP. I'll post pics when its done. Mahalo for all your help, you guys really help me find and select a set I was happy with. Maybe one day I will work my way up to the Sloanes, but until I'm that good, I'm happy with the Krutz's. MAHALO!!!

 

[Matthew Tucker]

You know, I have started lubricating machines with black bootpolish, the kind you brush on out of a tin and buff to a high shine. (not the stuff in the tube) It's waxy, hard, seems to coat and protect the brass, gives a nice antique look in the crevices, and isn't very messy like graphite, or grease, which picks up dirt, or candlewax, which can look like your bass has psoriasis. I suspect the black colouring in bootpolish is carbon black anyway, which is benign stuff. I brush it on with a toothbrush, then buff off with a shoebrush.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoe_polish

 

[vejesse]

Anyone like the modern reproductions of individual machines with an ebony spindle? They sure cut down the added weight on the scroll that the brass machines give you.

 

[Jake deVilliers]

Anyone like the modern reproductions of individual machines with an ebony spindle? They sure cut down the added weight on the scroll that the brass machines give you.

Oh yeah, everybody knows I'm crazy about hat peg tuners. My old bass has stained maple string rollers but I like the rosewood & ebony modern versions fine.

To lighten up the metal tuners I often drill out the centres of the steel/brass shafts and replace it with birch or maple dowel. It can take a lot of weight off the scroll and does good things for the sound too.

 

[Jake deVilliers]

That's a good tip Matthew, I'll have to give it a try. Black only or will my Dark Brown work fine?

 

[alohajoy123]

With the shoe polish idea, do you try and get it into the gears, or is it something you just put on the brass to make it clean and shine? I am looking for what type of oil you use to lubricate the gear mechanism, if anyone out there knows...

 

[jallenbass]

Anyone like the modern reproductions of individual machines with an ebony spindle? They sure cut down the added weight on the scroll that the brass machines give you.

I haven't seen any that look very good to me. Any of them look like Krutz or Sloans with no big plate behind the gears?