"Best" Tuning Machine Heads

[treyhaislip]

What are you favorite Tuning Machine Heads/brands for bass? Have you ever upgraded/replaced one on a bass?

 

[Chris Pile]

Re: "Best" Tuning Machine Heads

Schallers have ruled forever for a reason.
But brands like Hipshot are fantastic, too.
If you're budget minded - Gotoh.

 

[dystrust]

Re: "Best" Tuning Machine Heads

Longcat and I upgraded all of our basses' tuning machines. The Spectors and Ibanez have Gotoh GB7s while the Squier Bronco has Hipshot Ultralights.

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[dystrust]

Re: "Best" Tuning Machine Heads

Schallers have ruled forever for a reason.
But brands like Hipshot are fantastic, too.
If you're budget minded - Gotoh.

Have to disagree there. Schallers are decent, but over-priced in the US at least.

Longcat's Spector Euro had Schaller M4s, but the Gotohs on there now are smoother and more precise. Stuart Spector seems to agree as the Spector USA line switched from Schallers to Gotohs in the early 90s.

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[treyhaislip]

Re: "Best" Tuning Machine Heads

I really like Schallers and Gotohs...I wouldn't call Gotoh budget minded in terms of a "compromise" based off of price...

 

[DavidRavenMoon]

Re: "Best" Tuning Machine Heads

My favorites for bass are Hipshot Ultralights. I also have Gotoh on a few basses and Schaller on others.


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[toowrongfoo]

Re: "Best" Tuning Machine Heads

Maybe it's just me, but I put one of those hipshot extenders on on of my basses, and it's a POS. The extender works fine, but the actual "tuner" part is grindy and harsh. Hipshot never answered any of my inquires so I just live with it. My bass is MIM so I'm limited as to what I can get.

 

[dg27]

Re: "Best" Tuning Machine Heads

I really like Schallers and Gotohs...I wouldn't call Gotoh budget minded in terms of a "compromise" based off of price...

I agree 100%

I've replaced the machines on several of my basses, mostly with Schallers. I have Gotoh GB7s on my Warmoth and those are great. That bass always seems spot on whenever I go to tune it.

My MIM '62 RI Fender Jazz neck came preloaded with Fender reverse tuners; those are surprisingly good.

 

[DavidRavenMoon]

Re: "Best" Tuning Machine Heads

Maybe it's just me, but I put one of those hipshot extenders on on of my basses, and it's a POS. The extender works fine, but the actual "tuner" part is grindy and harsh. Hipshot never answered any of my inquires so I just live with it. My bass is MIM so I'm limited as to what I can get.

I'd call them. They have great customer service.
I lost a mounting screw and they gave me a bunch for free.

I haven't used their Fender style tuners, but the Ultra Lights are real smooth. I get order a set of Rick tuners for a guy in the Beatles show Rain. They seemed to be good quality.

Sometimes you just need to break in the brass gear. Then they smooth out. Spertzels do that sometimes.


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[dystrust]

Re: "Best" Tuning Machine Heads

I'd call them. They have great customer service.
I lost a mounting screw and they gave me a bunch for free.

I haven't used their Fender style tuners, but the Ultra Lights are real smooth. I get order a set of Rick tuners for a guy in the Beatles show Rain. They seemed to be good quality.

Sometimes you just need to break in the brass gear. Then they smooth out. Spertzels do that sometimes.


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+1

They replaced an ancient, broken Gotoh GB-7 extender key for free for me last year.

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: "Best" Tuning Machine Heads

+1

They replaced an ancient, broken Gotoh GB-7 extender key for free for me last year.

Customer service like that goes a LONG way! Glad they helped you out! :friday:

 

[toowrongfoo]

Re: "Best" Tuning Machine Heads

Cheers guys! But remember, they never responded. So.............

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: "Best" Tuning Machine Heads

Cheers guys! But remember, they never responded. So.............

Talking about Hipshot correct?

 

[toowrongfoo]

Re: "Best" Tuning Machine Heads

Yep.

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: "Best" Tuning Machine Heads

Yep.

Just out of curiosity, have you tried more than one medium?

I'm in no way doubting your story–just asking if you've tried all of the options available–e-mail, phone call, dealers, etc.

 

[toowrongfoo]

Re: "Best" Tuning Machine Heads

Well, I think twice with the email is one thing. Frankly, It's only an "issue" with string up new strings. It works fine other than that. I'm a pussy, I gave up :lol:

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: "Best" Tuning Machine Heads

Well, I think twice with the email is one thing. Frankly, It's only an "issue" with string up new strings. It works fine other than that. I'm a pussy, I gave up :lol:

Well, e-mails should be returned. But maybe a phone call mentioning you've e-mailed twice...that is what I would do.

 

[dg27]

Re: "Best" Tuning Machine Heads

Well, e-mails should be returned. But maybe a phone call mentioning you've e-mailed twice...that is what I would do.

Exactly what I would do too.

 

[dystrust]

Re: "Best" Tuning Machine Heads

They answered my first email within 24 hrs, so possibly your email(s) didn't get through for some reason? Try giving them a call or email from a different account.

 

[Bass_Medic_05]

Re: "Best" Tuning Machine Heads

Um depends on the bass, if I'm trying to stay original and in period or new. New I like Hipshot, but if I'm restoring an old bass then I try and find vintage period tuners.