NancyJohnson Posted November 23, 2019 Share Posted November 23, 2019 My wife is asking me what I want for Christmas and I suppose I'm at the stage in life where if I want anything I just buy it, so pickings are short, really. That said, was thinking though about throwing a D-Tuner into the mix. I have an old Aria Primary Bass that has a set of clover-leaf Schaller BMF F-Series machines, effectively these: Schaller don't seem to make a D-tuner any more, but Hipshot make the BT2: The mounting holes look similar, so I'm assuming installation would be easy enough. I'm wondering whether anyone has mixed things up and installed a Hipshot with Schallers? If so, do the clover leafs line up properly in general use or look odd? Also, could the clover-leaf/peg be swapped over from the Schaller to the Hipshot to match the patina of the Schallers (rather than having a shiny new one up against three old ratty ones)? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean-Luc Pickguard Posted November 23, 2019 Share Posted November 23, 2019 I had a hipshot BT2 extender/detuner installed on my '81 precision (not currently installed on a bass so I *could* probably be persuaded to part with it.) When installed alongside the original Fender-branded schaller BMF tuners, the extender lined up with the original tuners perfectly. There doesn't seem to be a way to dismantle the Hipshot to remove the key, however I have had success with 'peek' metal polish to shine up nickel-plated tuners that had a fair amount of patina , So if you want them all to match, getting rid of the patina might be an option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyJohnson Posted November 23, 2019 Author Share Posted November 23, 2019 46 minutes ago, Jean-Luc Pickguard said: I had a hipshot BT2 extender/detuner installed on my '81 precision (not currently installed on a bass so I *could* probably be persuaded to part with it.) When installed alongside the original Fender-branded schaller BMF tuners, the extender lined up with the original tuners perfectly. There doesn't seem to be a way to dismantle the Hipshot to remove the key, however I have had success with 'peek' metal polish to shine up nickel-plated tuners that had a fair amount of patina , So if you want them all to match, getting rid of the patina might be an option. The existing Schallers are in pretty good shape...if you want to hit me up etc. I think a D-tuner is just something I could throw on there and rarely use, but (like compressors), it would be nice to try one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted November 23, 2019 Share Posted November 23, 2019 Look what has just appeared in the for sale section Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk_lefty Posted November 23, 2019 Share Posted November 23, 2019 I had a hipshot put on a Mexican jazz alongside Gotoh basic fender replacement tuners. The luthier chap is very handy with all sorts of engineering and woodwork stuff and he had to grind down the edge of the hipshot to fit it on. If he hadn't told me I would never have known. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted November 24, 2019 Share Posted November 24, 2019 D tuners are the bomb! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrevorR Posted November 25, 2019 Share Posted November 25, 2019 (edited) The D tuner on my Wal is a Grover rather than a Schaller MB4. The MB4 version was no longer available when I wanted to order so Hipshot and their customer service guys sourced me this direct, reassuring me it would slot right in and the aligning logs would match perfectly. It did and you’d never know the difference unless you’re looking for it... Wal with the “wrong” tuner Wal with correct but unbranded tuner... If you’re uncertain on which model to order, drop them an email. I found them really helpful. Edited November 25, 2019 by TrevorR 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrevorR Posted November 25, 2019 Share Posted November 25, 2019 On 23/11/2019 at 10:41, NancyJohnson said: Schaller don't seem to make a D-tuner any more, but Hipshot make the BT2: The mounting holes look similar, so I'm assuming installation would be easy enough. I'm wondering whether anyone has mixed things up and installed a Hipshot with Schallers? If so, do the clover leafs line up properly in general use or look odd? Also, could the clover-leaf/peg be swapped over from the Schaller to the Hipshot to match the patina of the Schallers (rather than having a shiny new one up against three old ratty ones)? Thanks PS, those aren’t mounting holes on the D tuner. They are the rivet holes holding the tuner to the rotating plate... Hipshot often used the actual aftermarket tuners and incorporated those into their D-tuners. So if the OEM stops making the original tuner they can only use their own variations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyJohnson Posted November 25, 2019 Author Share Posted November 25, 2019 33 minutes ago, TrevorR said: PS, those aren’t mounting holes on the D tuner. They are the rivet holes holding the tuner to the rotating plate... Hipshot often used the actual aftermarket tuners and incorporated those into their D-tuners. So if the OEM stops making the original tuner they can only use their own variations. It's OK, Trev, I know there's a plate under the riveted one! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrevorR Posted November 25, 2019 Share Posted November 25, 2019 14 minutes ago, NancyJohnson said: It's OK, Trev, I know there's a plate under the riveted one! Ah, cool. You were just model matching. Hadn’t twigged. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyJohnson Posted December 1, 2019 Author Share Posted December 1, 2019 Well, just in case it's of any help in the future, I bought the Hipshot BT2 from Jose, the holes match up with the Schaller, so it was a straight off/on. Five minutes. The Schaller ferrule won't accommodate the shaft of the Hipshot (radius too narrow), so you need to fit the Hipshot one. All in all, very pleased. Took a couple of minutes to set up the drop. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted December 1, 2019 Share Posted December 1, 2019 14 hours ago, NancyJohnson said: Well, just in case it's of any help in the future, I bought the Hipshot BT2 from Jose, the holes match up with the Schaller, so it was a straight off/on. Five minutes. The Schaller ferrule won't accommodate the shaft of the Hipshot (radius too narrow), so you need to fit the Hipshot one. All in all, very pleased. Took a couple of minutes to set up the drop. glad it worked out well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.