Double Bass What replacement tuners for a Yamaha SLB200?

[John Le Guyader]

I need to replace the tuners on my Yamaha SLB200 Silent Bass. I bought it used in rough shape a couple of years back and three of the tuner keys are really in rough shape with one barely functional. It’s taken some tumbles in the past and the keys are loose, with one finally braking off. I am not sure how to figure out what to buy to replace them and there are no parts for sale from Yamaha for this model. Any advice would be welcome.

 

[BobKay]

John, I sent you a PM.

 

[BobKay]

Here are the part numbers for the tuners on my SLB300, in case that helps.
VCG85600
VCG85700

Two of each for a complete set, of course.

 

[John Le Guyader]

Here are the part numbers for the tuners on my SLB300, in case that helps.
VCG85600
VCG85700

Two of each for a complete set, of course.

Thanks Bob

 

[El Thumpo]

So, I bit the bullet and put real DB tuners on my SLB300. Could not be happier with the result. Have you considered that?

 

[John Le Guyader]

So, I bit the bullet and put real DB tuners on my SLB300. Could not be happier with the result. Have you considered that?

There’s an idea…what did you use?

 

[DoubleMIDI]

By getting replacements from Yamaha you get the same quality as you have now.

If you put a string down, unscrew the peg and the plate you can measure the peg diameter and length and get in contact with Rubner in Germany to get high quality replacements. You might need to drill new holes for the tuner plate, but the peg will fit.
You don‘t need the more expensive decorated tuners if budget is an issue.

Keep in mind that for a DB the pegs are conical and have different lengths whereas yours are cylindrical and (almost?) identical length. So the pegs are a custom fit.
But they do this kind of stuff and it shouldn‘t be too expensive.
And the pegs don‘t break, so you only need to get the plate with the cogwheel if the cogwheel or the tuner gear ever get damage again (what hardly happens at all with Rubner tuners).

I once asked them myself (but didn’t order) and they were very nice and helpful.

 

[John Le Guyader]

By getting replacements from Yamaha you get the same quality as you have now.

If you put a string down, unscrew the peg and the plate you can measure the peg diameter and length and get in contact with Rubner in Germany to get high quality replacements. You might need to drill new holes for the tuner plate, but the peg will fit.
You don‘t need the more expensive decorated tuners if budget is an issue.

Keep in mind that for a DB the pegs are conical and have different lengths whereas yours are cylindrical and (almost?) identical length. So the pegs are a custom fit.
But they do this kind of stuff and it shouldn‘t be too expensive.
And the pegs don‘t break, so you only need to get the plate with the cogwheel if the cogwheel or the tuner gear ever get damage again (what hardly happens at all with Rubner tuners).

I once asked them myself (but didn’t order) and they were very nice and helpful.

Thx - There is a lot of good advice in your suggestions. I knew I was going to have to take one out for measurements if I was not going with a Yamaha replacement. I like your idea of contacting Rubner and may well do that.

Next step will be to take off one machine head off, take measurements and see if there is an off-the-shelf double bass machine head that might work before I bother Rubner.

 

[Jefenator]

Bass guitar tuners might work. You'll have to get the shaft & collar size right and might have to drill new holes for the small mounting screws. What's on there looks a lot like the common Schaller bass guitar gears:
Adjustable Tension Bass Tuner Set - StewMac
Hipshot might also have some solutions. (I like how their ultra lite gears have collars that thread in.)

 

[El Thumpo]

At John's request, I've written up some details on upgrading the tuners on my SLB. You can find them here: Yamaha SLB300 New model

 

[DoubleMIDI]

The bass guitar tuners have a very short peg. The Yamaha tuners have a long peg that goes into the opposite cheek of the pegbox, like DB tuners.

John might try to find a thick peg (Fender-style) BG or a DB tuner where the Yamaha peg fits into the cogwheel of the new tuner, but if you cannot try before you buy, I wouldn‘t do that.

Since the Yamaha is an instrument with value, it makes sense to pay a bit more and get quality.
I wouldn’t go that route with a Stagg EDB. But there short-peg Fender-Style BG tuners are used.