bass tuners / machine heads

[NickA]

I dropped my bass.  Broken neck right up at the peg box.  It's with Max at Tim Tofts...it could possibly be pinned and glued, but being well insured it's getting whole new neck.

 

.. so while it's in the workshop and in pieces, I wondered about getting some new tuning machines to replace the bent and rickety ones it's always had.

 

Looking around I don't see much on offer. 

 

These are lovely and just the job: https://www.mjbl.co.uk/double-bass-tuning-machines.... But over £500 even without a brass plate and the cost of fitting.

 

These are modern versions of the "Tyrolean style" tuners on it now: https://www.thomann.de/gb/roth_junius_tyrolean_bass_machines_3_4g.htm. Only £48!!  Must be rubbish surely.

 

It will need the brass plate as the peg box is not pretty ( it always had a plate over it and hence there are many screw holes.)

 

Has anyone replaced their tuning machines?  Any recommendations?

 

 

[Duckyincarnate]

I don't have any recommendations but in your shoes I probably wouldn't skimp on them. I needed a new endpin a few years ago and went for a nice brass Ulsa unit and I'm so glad I did. These Rubners look alright, don't they?

[Bloopdad1]

I have Baker style machines on my new Penning 5st. 

The Healey tuners are without compromise and the best in the business (obviously reflected in the price). 

[NickA]

Ah you cost-no-object pennng bass owners!  Beautiful.

 

I'm going to ask the bloke who has my bass in bits for a quote on those baker ones.  But those Rubners do look ok, so long as the plate fits the space or could be cut down.

 

Healy tuners?  Web search returns no info.

 

My bass is probably not worth more than £10k, so I don't want to put too many ribbons on it! 

Edited April 25, 2024 by NickA

[Owen]

The only thing I would change about my DB would be some really lush machine heads. Those MJBL ones look very lovely. 2 of the ones on my bass are damped by sellotape to stop them rattling. They really let the instrument down.

[Owen]

I have no recommendations, but I do love a beautiful machine head. How about getting wooden buttons/ears/paddles/whatever they are called, made? Lush.

[NickA]

No no no...not those awful hat pegs. For some reason I can't explain I really don't like them.

[Owen]

Deeply ugly. I was actually thinking of wooden paddles/turny bits rather than big lumps of brass. Imaging the money you could spend!

[NickA]

On 26/04/2024 at 11:19, Owen said:

maging the money you could spend!

Ooph.  There is no limit.  Think I'll stick with brass. 😁

[Owen]

Very wise.