Vintage reverse tuners... Why God why!

[Paulabass]

It's like those push, and pull signs on doors. Do they mean push it from this side, or people coming from the other direction should push. Confusing to say the least.

 

[EatS1stBassist]

I realize when Leo invented the precision bass on the 8th day it was a thing of almost perfection...

but why would anyone choose to replicate reverse tuners....

pick a direction and stick with it....

just got done replacing my second set of them.... thank god that is over... although my brain is probably fully rewired, and I will need extensive retraining.

Because God like to travel in both directions!!

 

[Fat Freddy]

I don’t see reverse tuners as a problem. They’re just different.

Yeah, but different is scary and should be banned....Shouldn't it?....

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

I like problems which are actually problems. This...is not.

Only had problems with those refusing to turn or turning with some issues ...

 

[mrjim123]

The opposite of clockwise is clockfoolish.

 

[Laurent]

Well, try driving on the other side of the road when in Ireland or in the UK and you will have a larger set of problems than turning a tuner!

 

[bearfoot]

I think Leo of all people would most disagree with "he got it right the first time". What time are we referring to? The guy was a lifelong tinkerer. He never got anything right the first time in his life. That's why he was great. He kept at it.

 

[bassdude51]

The tuners changed to the forward turning during summer '65, CBS's first year of ownership.

Umm, not quite. I've seen Kluson reverse tuners on Fender Basses up to 1967. (Just a couple of weeks ago, I saw a 1967 Telecaster Bass on eBay with reverse Klusons.) Many times, old stock would be found and used on newer basses. I've seen CBS basses with pre-CBS black bottom pickups. I have a 1966 P Bass (Feb. neck) with reverse Klusons.

I've seen 1966 Jazz Basses in 3 different styles. Dot markers, block markers, neck binding, no binding and with 3 different kinds of tuners. Klusons, Lollipops, and the Fender made clover leaf.

 

[Pet Sounds]

I have basses with reverse tuners, and it takes me about one second to get reacclimated to them on stage.

 

[Les Fret]

but why would anyone choose to replicate reverse tuners....

pick a direction and stick with it....

Totally agree! I don't see the point in reverse tuners either. Also don't get it why they use them on reissue basses. Just because it is a reissue, but why reissue bad things?

 

[JimmyM]

Well, try driving on the other side of the road when in Ireland or in the UK and you will have a larger set of problems than turning a tuner!

Hell, just try crossing the street! Nearly got hit twice in New Zealand trying that! Wasn't about to attempt driving after that.

 

[toomanyslurpees]

Leo was originally intending to string the Pbass with propane strings, so it really makes a lot of sense with that in mind...

Yeh... that joke was pretty weak...

 

[Bass4ThePublic]

Hmmm.. since reverse tuners came before non reverse tuners, wouldn’t non reverse tuners be reverse tuners?

 

[WillyW]

I wouldn’t care which I had as long as there was only one type.

 

[JimmyM]

Leo was originally intending to string the Pbass with propane strings, so it really makes a lot of sense with that in mind...

Yeh... that joke was pretty weak...

Those who work with propane got a huge laugh.

 

[JimmyM]

Hmmm.. since reverse tuners came before non reverse tuners, wouldn’t non reverse tuners be reverse tuners?

That works for Gibson Thunderbird and Firebird bodies, but the reason it doesn't for tuners is because non-reverse tuning keys tighten the strings in the same direction that they're stretching, toward the headstock. Everything toward the left, or right if you're a lefty. Doing it the other way is counter to the direction of the string being tightened.

Now why on headstocks with tuners on both sides do the ones on the bottom go the opposite way and they're not called "reverse tuners," I have no idea

 

[okcrum]

I do the Christopher Walken Trivial Psychic thing. As soon as I touch it, I just know. Kinda like a manual transmission and me not having to concentrate about whether I'm in a 1996 Ford or a 2006 Jeep, or a 1984 International. Somehow... somehow... I just know.

Does that work on a '68 Saab. too? If so, I'm impressed!

 

[endy_y_p]

Most of my J's and all of my P's have reverse tuners.

I bet it’s a very beautiful collection then.., Fender only put reverse tuner on their top tier bass, picture please..

 

[bobyoung53]

I like it! I suggest random rather than alternating positions though.

This is just like my old 1965 Plymouth Valiant that had left hand threaded lug nuts on the right side of the car and right hand threaded lug nuts on the left side of the car, allegedly to prevent loosening. Chrysler and Fender; two peas in a pod.

I had several Chryslers with left hand nuts on the right side, my 62 and 65 Darts both had them IIRC.

 

[bobyoung53]

The tuners changed to the forward turning during summer '65, CBS's first year of ownership.

I had a 66 Jazz with forward tuning lollipops on it.