Which basses use 24-spline and 18-spline shafts?

[ToneStyler UK]

I need to compile a definitive list of bass guitars with "fine" 24-spline shafts and those with "coarse" 18-spline shafts, in order to determine production levels of a new range of tone controls. I can find only general information, such as USA-made basses use 24 splines, and Epiphones use 18 splines. I need data that is more accurate than this. For example, the shafts of some basses of the same brand may differ, depending on where or when they were made. So, I'd be very grateful to owners of basses with splined shafts, who can tell me the following information, so that I can discover the popularity of their instruments:

(1) Make, (2) Model, (3) 24 or 18 splines, (4) Country of manufacture, (5) Year of manufacture.

Thank you. The results will be made public for the benefit of all.

[keeponehandloose]

make them 36 and if i calculate correct it would fit either

[happynoj]

What's a spline?

[yorks5stringer]

[quote name='happynoj' timestamp='1395271486' post='2400635']
What's a spline?
[/quote]

I need to compile a definitive list of bass guitars with "fine" 24-spline shafts and those with "coarse" 18-spline shafts, in order to determine production levels of a new range of [b]tone controls[/b]

[HowieBass]

Splines are the ridges on the shaft of the pot where the knob/dial is a push fit.

[ToneStyler UK]

[quote name='keeponehandloose' timestamp='1395254800' post='2400334']
make them 36 and if i calculate correct it would fit either
[/quote]

A nice idea... in theory. Even if a 36-spline shaft were to exist as a component for a potentiometer, the angles of the splines would be different from those of both a coarse-spline knob and a fine-spline knob. This might work for soft-plastic knobs, but still would not meet high-quality standards, and they would not work for hard-plastic knobs.

[neepheid]

Are you making an aftermarket modification for basses? If so, just use whichever pots you like because people who are into modding (or custom building) will likely customise the knobs as well? Also if you want to use concentric pots then I suspect it's solid shaft or nothing.

[davidpike]

Why not make them with a soft nylon insert, specifically designed to be smaller than the outside diameter of the shaft of the pot? The splines would the cut their own channels.

Edited March 21, 2014 by davidpike

[ToneStyler UK]

[quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1395339641' post='2401386']
Are you making an aftermarket modification for basses? If so, just use whichever pots you like because people who are into modding (or custom building) will likely customise the knobs as well? Also if you want to use concentric pots then I suspect it's solid shaft or nothing.
[/quote]

Yes, we've been making ToneStylers for years with D-flat shafts for set-screws and with "fine" 24-spline shafts for USA push-on knobs, which are very successful, but they do not fit "coarse" 18-spline knobs. It's true what you say: that players will change their knobs, but we think that we might be losing a number of sales to Epiphone and other owners who are not prepared to "spoil" their instrument by changing its original 18-spline knobs. We're trying to estimate what that number is, to determine whether to make the pots with coarse shafts or not, and, if so, in what proportions.

[ToneStyler UK]

[quote name='davidpike' timestamp='1395394739' post='2401887']
Why not make them with a soft nylon insert, specifically designed to be smaller than the outside diameter of the shaft of the pot? The splines would the cut their own channels.
[/quote]

Thanks for this novel suggestion. I may be missing the point, but I can't see how this would enable players with Epiphones and other imported instruments to fit their original 18-spline knobs over our 24-spline shafts. If such an insert could do this, it would certainly solve our dilemma.

[neepheid]

[quote name='ToneStyler UK' timestamp='1395761630' post='2405925']
Yes, we've been making ToneStylers for years with D-flat shafts for set-screws and with "fine" 24-spline shafts for USA push-on knobs, which are very successful, but they do not fit "coarse" 18-spline knobs. It's true what you say: that players will change their knobs, but we think that we might be losing a number of sales to Epiphone and other owners who are not prepared to "spoil" their instrument by changing its original 18-spline knobs. We're trying to estimate what that number is, to determine whether to make the pots with coarse shafts or not, and, if so, in what proportions.
[/quote]

Ahh, I get what you're up to now (now that I've actually taken the time to look on your site instead of making assumptions), you're selling single pot replacements, not entire gubbins replacements. Of course that makes sense that people would want the original knob. D'oh! Carry on!

I don't have much to offer beyond your rough generalisation (which is on the whole pretty sound from what I gather).