Huge Hands Posted March 26, 2019 Share Posted March 26, 2019 Good evening fellow basschatters. About 4 years ago I bought a B stock Harley Benton black 5 string acoustic from Thomann. I strung it with Roto 88's and it just sits in my lounge for when the occasion takes me. Tonight, I picked it up and the G-string wouldn't tighten, only slacken. All of a sudden there was a twang and the string went slack. I thought I'd snapped the string or core, but I now realise the tuning peg is broken. I can turn the wound peg over a quarter turn with my fingers with no resistance and it won't turn in the tighten direction using the cloverleaf equivalent (handle?) My question is - has anyone upgraded theirs? What did you buy? Did they fit without any fettling? Apart from this, I only own Fender style basses so am used to huge cloverleaf things - I don't have a box of spares that will fit this. Any help would be appreciated! I'm happy to spend a few quid on some new tuners to keep it going. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huge Hands Posted March 27, 2019 Author Share Posted March 27, 2019 Hi all, I should add that I spotted that you can buy HB replacements at Thomann - I'm not looking to put the same ones in if I can help it - was hoping to get something better built. Anyone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiOgon Posted March 27, 2019 Share Posted March 27, 2019 There should be something here: https://hipshotproducts.com/collections/bass-tuning Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huge Hands Posted March 27, 2019 Author Share Posted March 27, 2019 2 hours ago, KiOgon said: There should be something here: https://hipshotproducts.com/collections/bass-tuning Thanks Kiogon Their 3/8 Y ultralites look about right. I was kind of hoping someone might have done the same to the same bass to confirm they will fit etc before I take the plunge.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tauzero Posted March 27, 2019 Share Posted March 27, 2019 Or try Warwick - https://shop.warwick.de/en/Parts+for+Instruments/Parts+for+Basses/Machine+Heads and look about halfway down the page at the Warwick machine heads. For example https://shop.warwick.de/en/Parts+for+Instruments/Parts+for+Basses/Machine+Heads/Warwick+Parts+-+Warwick+Machinehead,+Left+_Bass+Side_+-+Satin+Chrome at 13 euros a pop. I'm not going to pull the machine heads off my HB acoustic to check, but they look compatible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Dare Posted March 27, 2019 Share Posted March 27, 2019 Got a set of Grover clover leaf tuners on my Bitsa P. Decent and won't break the bank - around £65. Google "Grover bass tuners".- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huge Hands Posted March 27, 2019 Author Share Posted March 27, 2019 5 hours ago, tauzero said: Or try Warwick - https://shop.warwick.de/en/Parts+for+Instruments/Parts+for+Basses/Machine+Heads and look about halfway down the page at the Warwick machine heads. For example https://shop.warwick.de/en/Parts+for+Instruments/Parts+for+Basses/Machine+Heads/Warwick+Parts+-+Warwick+Machinehead,+Left+_Bass+Side_+-+Satin+Chrome at 13 euros a pop. I'm not going to pull the machine heads off my HB acoustic to check, but they look compatible. Thanks @tauzero. They certainly look the same. I liked the idea of the Hipshots with the open gears, but a set would probably be more expensive than the bass itself! As there are a lot of tinkerers on here and everyone is obsessed with telling me to change the hardware on my Sire, I figured someone would have done this! I might take a punt on the Warwicks. Probably still more than the bass cost me, but probably worth it to keep it going. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huge Hands Posted March 28, 2019 Author Share Posted March 28, 2019 For anyone else that may be interested in this, I found this site: https://www.stewmac.com/Hardware_and_Parts/Tuning_Machines/Electric_Bass_Tuning_Machines/ I think they are based in the US, meaning it would probably involve import taxes so probably won't buy from here, but each item has a full measurement drawing for the tuning peg. Time to get the old ruler out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huge Hands Posted March 30, 2019 Author Share Posted March 30, 2019 Ok, I know it sounds like I'm talking to myself on my own thread, but I thought I'd update for reference in case anyone else is thinking of doing this. After a bit of measuring and looking at the various site specs, I plumped for a set of Gotoh GB707 tuners. The bushings were a much more snug fit but everything went in easily without any problems or modifications once I'd found a 15mm spanner to get the nuts off. I've attached a couple of photos. The tuners look a little on the wonk compared to each other - they are all in the original holes, so the originals were the same! The string windings have been tidied since the photo - this was my attempt to put the same strings back on to test without messing about! Although they fit through the same headstock holes, the winding posts are a lot wider too, so gives a sense of much better quality All in all, it is £50 of tuners on a guitar that cost me £70, but I'm happy with it and it means my lounge bass still lives. There you go....hello? Oh yes, that's right - I'm talking to myself.... 😀 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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