"Best" Tuning Machine Heads

[treyhaislip]

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.

If it is a guitar I will be playing then I would go with function/ability over period-correct but that is just me...I'm not a fan of having "stuff", so no collectibles/show piece items for me.

 

[Securb]

Re: "Best" Tuning Machine Heads

Whenever I replace tuners or do a build I go with Sperzel locking tuners. They work as good as they look.

 

[dg27]

Re: "Best" Tuning Machine Heads

I'm not a fan of having "stuff", so no collectibles/show piece items for me.

I replaced the truly horrific black tuners on my '84 MIJ Fender Jazz Bass Special (and the rest of the pretty ugly (IMO) black hardware). This was long before it was a so-called "signature bass." I went for functionality and used Schallers. I also had a pickguard made (that bass did not have one).

 

[Mincer]

Re: "Best" Tuning Machine Heads

^Wow! That's one hot looking bass!

 

[dg27]

Re: "Best" Tuning Machine Heads

^Wow! That's one hot looking bass!

Thanks. I bought it on a whim off the rack at Manny's in New York and used it a lot but always had issues with it, so I did a complete rebuild in the early 2000s. I particularly disliked that there was no pickguard and drew one on cardboard and sent it to Pickguardian, who created the guard and a matching backplate for the controls. The body is an odd size.

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: "Best" Tuning Machine Heads

That is really sharp! Usually don't care for figured pickguards, but really dig that one–really ties it all in.

 

[dg27]

Re: "Best" Tuning Machine Heads

Thanks. I like tort, but with the black neck I thought this was more appropriate. And it's the old-school cellulose material (guaranteed to crack, warp, etc.)

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: "Best" Tuning Machine Heads

Thanks. I like tort, but with the black neck I thought this was more appropriate. And it's the old-school cellulose material (guaranteed to crack, warp, etc.)

Ah, so it will have tons of character

 

[dg27]

Re: "Best" Tuning Machine Heads

Ah, so it will have tons of character

Exactly: No indestructible plastic for me. All my replacement guards are cellulose.