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Tuning machines help please


Grangur
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Hi there,
I'm in the process of working on a cheap p bass copy, improving it. The current tuning heads grind as I turn them. Also , as they're turned they either tighten or loosen the screw that holds the big cog depending upon which way you turn the clover leaf.

I've bought Wilkinson heads and found they're too big. Can anyone please recommend some good, suitable replacements?

The existing ones have a 19mm hole and the plate measures 45mm long.

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By how much are the wilkinsons too big? if it's only slightly - I'd suggest looking for a reaming tool and trying to fit those as I'd wager you won't find better tuners for less (the wilkinsons are decent, and good value IME).

E.g. one of these: [url="https://www.allparts.com/lt-0815-000-tapered-reamer-tool-for-tuning-peg-holes_p_2069.html"]https://www.allparts...les_p_2069.html[/url]

EDIT the second:

Did some digging on the wilkinson range of bass tuners - hard to find exact dimensions on them. Seems the open back tuners have a 14 mm peg diameter:

When you include the bushing it may be over the 19 mm hole of the existing tuner holes of course.

Edited by PlungerModerno
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Many thanks. I appreciate your point there. I did consider that, but if I can I'd rather have tuners that actually fit. Since posting I've now found an old set of Squier tuners that are the size I need. My problem now is I only have 3 of them as one of the originals had a rattle in the clover-leaf.

The Squier ones are a tad bigger, but they'd do.

The other option I've come across is Grover Vintage.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/262227259390?lpid=122&chn=ps&googleloc=1006528&poi=&campaignid=207297426&device=c&adgroupid=13585920426&rlsatarget=pla-131843260866&adtype=pla&crdt=0

£63 is a fair bit to pay for tuners for a £50 bass, but I guess I can always strip it down before selling. And they are (or claim to be) good, or rather the best.

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You're very welcome. If you're willing to expand the budget to £63 - I'd be checking out a set of gotoh's resolites (especially if the bass has a medium weight or lightweight body):

[url="http://g-gotoh.com/international/product/gb640.html"]http://g-gotoh.com/international/product/gb640.html[/url]

They would be a lot lighter than most full size tuners. . . . And now that I see the prices they are a good bit more expensive than the grovers (up to double!). Here's the cheapest set I've spotted:
[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GOTOH-GBR640-Super-Light-Weight-Bass-Guitar-Reverse-Wind-Tuning-Machine-Set-/111159561347?hash=item19e1a04c83:g:A4MAAOxyHE5Rphj8"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GOTOH-GBR640-Super-Light-Weight-Bass-Guitar-Reverse-Wind-Tuning-Machine-Set-/111159561347?hash=item19e1a04c83:g:A4MAAOxyHE5Rphj8[/url]

They say reverse wind but I'd check the model no. with Gotoh before seriously considering them. If I had reverse wind tuners on a bass they'd be the first to go!

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