Ratio Machine Heads by Graphtech. Any thoughts?

[Chienmortbb]

I have been looking at some new machine heads and would normally use Gotoh, however I noticed the Ratio Machine Heads and like the idea of them. 
 

Has anyone used them?

[BigRedX]

Looks a bit like a solution to a problem most people have never noticed existed. Plus there will be no benefit if you use non-standard tunings.

[Chienmortbb]

3 hours ago, BigRedX said:

Looks a bit like a solution to a problem most people have never noticed existed. Plus there will be no benefit if you use non-standard tunings.

I have certainly noticed that on the E String the ratio on most machine heads is far from ideal, especially when the end of the taper wraps around the post. Add the two together and it is very hard to tune. 

[Boodang]

I've been looking at these, they seem like a good idea. 

They're on some Warwicks and Fender customs so probably not just a solution to a problem we didn't know existed, more like a sensible evolution.

Do post if you get some although I might pull the trigger myself soon.

[ped]

Think they look great and something I'd definitely buy if I was 'modding' a bass... although it looks like they don't cater for the 3+1 Stingray crowd unless you can request the set specially. 

[Hellzero]

Interesting concept indeed, might be worth giving it a try.

 

For those wanting to know what it is, here is the link : https://graphtech.com/collections/ratio-machine-heads-bass

[Chienmortbb]

I have noticed that a lot of boutique guitar makers are now using them too. In my experience the biggest improvementwith the feel of a bass is with the machine heads. When I put Gotohs on my Aerodyne it made a great bass even better. When I put Wilkinsons on my Samick Greg Bennett it was better but not as big an improvement as replacing the stock Fender Machine Heads on the Aerodyne.

 

However the big issue with all machine heads is that the E or B strings were more difficult to get in tune than the higher strings

[Jean-Luc Pickguard]

I don't have any experience of their bass tuners, but their ultra-lightweight plastic planetary ukulele tuners are superb.

[Thunderbird]

They look like a good idea not exactly cheap though 

[Chienmortbb]

55 minutes ago, Thunderbird said:

They look like a good idea not exactly cheap though 

Yes especially when the bass is sub £300.

[Count Bassy]

I always thought that this was needed, so glad to see someone's done it. But at that price - perhaps not.

[ped]

Does anyone know if they will be a drop in replacement for these (hipshot HB1 I think?)

 

They look the same but they don’t provide any dimensions and on the guitar section there’s some guff about matching mounting plates 

 

https://graphtech.com/collections/ratio-machine-heads-bass/products/bass-ratio-4-in-line-classic-clover-leaf-button-chrome

 

[Lozz196]

They look good but after many years of knowing roughly how much to turn each Machinehead on each string to get where I need to be this would confuse me a bit, I’d probably end up snapping a few strings getting used to them.
Gotta say tho, a good set of tuners really improves an instrument, just put a set of Hipshots on a Mex Fender, nothing wrong with the stock ones, just wanted better tuning & stability as this will be my “flying” bass. New Graphtec nut too, installation courtesy of @gary mac has made a nice improvement.

[Boodang]

46 minutes ago, Lozz196 said:

They look good but after many years of knowing roughly how much to turn each Machinehead on each string to get where I need to be this would confuse me a bit, I’d probably end up snapping a few strings getting used to them.
Gotta say tho, a good set of tuners really improves an instrument, just put a set of Hipshots on a Mex Fender, nothing wrong with the stock ones, just wanted better tuning & stability as this will be my “flying” bass. New Graphtec nut too, installation courtesy of @gary mac has made a nice improvement.

I wouldn't swap hipshots for them but my Squier VM stock tuners are getting replaced with these. It already has a graphtec nut installed when it went for its last setup.

[Chienmortbb]

On 28/12/2021 at 21:53, Boodang said:

I wouldn't swap hipshots for them but my Squier VM stock tuners are getting replaced with these. It already has a graphtec nut installed when it went for its last setup.

How did it go?

 

[shoulderpet]

Ohhh 48:1 ratio on the E string!!! The tuners that came on my P bass are 28:1 and honestly going from 20:1 to 28:1 was a revelation, no more overshooting when tuning and accidentally tuning a quarter step sharp

[Boodang]

On 09/03/2022 at 11:49, Chienmortbb said:

How did it go?

 

Well, so far have got distracted with other projects... I got my Seymour Duncan weather report pickups so had a custom build done to put them in, was going to put some ratio machine heads on it but the luthier had some special order hipshots (with 'mother of pearl' style tuning keys), so went with them. In the mean time I've moved abroad, so when my basses turn up I'll get the ratios sent out and put them on the Squier. I'll post up the results when I get them on but apparently customs take time to clear our incoming stuff so don't hold your breath!

[Downunderwonder]

If I was playing a bunch of weird tunings it might be handy for the nights I give my roady off ( all of them ). But just to tune up, like someone said already, a solution for a problem I never knew I had, still don't have, will never have.