Replacement lightweight Tuning Machines for a Power Jazz Bass Special?

[Pirellithecat]

Contemplating an overhaul on the above bass.   It's a bit weighty, and the original tuners are a bit old and worn out (bit like me really!).   So thinking of replacing them with lightweight  ones - I see the Gotoh Resolite GB640, might do the trick weight wise but will need new holes etc.  The Gotoh FB30 looks like a direct replacement but is even heavier than what's on there now (i suspect). Anyone know of an alternative? 

[Pirellithecat]

Anyone know the weight of the Wilkinson WJBL200's - they look like a direct (ish) replacement so if they were OK in terms of performance they might be an option ....... 

[tauzero]

Licensed Hipshot Ultralites? 1/2" and 3/8" available - https://hipshotproducts.com/collections/bass-tuning

 

Used on Cort GB4 and GB5, nice tuners.

[Pirellithecat]

9 hours ago, tauzero said:

Licensed Hipshot Ultralites? 1/2" and 3/8" available - https://hipshotproducts.com/collections/bass-tuning

 

Used on Cort GB4 and GB5, nice tuners.

Thanks for this - Works out well in Weight terms - i was thinking of something more "traditional" but I'll have a nother look.   The Sandberg ones are very light ?40g, and if I go for a different look then these might also be a good option.   

[Dood]

I have PJBS’s too. I can tell you that the Wilkinson and the FB30 tuners do indeed drop straight in. I think Gotoh actually OEM’d the original tuners tbh! I can’t remember the weights but the Wilkinson tuners may have been a smidge heavier but when I got mine they were about £25 a set!! So, that was a little while ago.

on the subject of the res-o-lites, I did ask Gotoh (or rather whine like a big baby) for them to make a version of the FB30, but they declined saying 5hey had no plans to, which is mad as I’d buy about 5 sets then and there, the 640 and the rest of the res-o-lite range are the best out there, I love them! 
 

Filling holes and re-drilling is dead easy, I’ve done a few guitars now with either cocktail sticks and wood glue or colour matched wood filler.

i the the 640’s would look pretty nice on the PJBS headstock! I might end up seeking out another PJBS at some point, I think I’m getting a bit obsessed with them!

[Pirellithecat]

Dithering about what to do with mine.   Had a bit of a set up with it this afternoon, and whilst I had the strings off removed a Machine Head and Weighed it - it's 106.1g.   So if i were to replace them all with Resolite GB640's it'd knock 165g off the Headstock weight.   I'll probably leave that until I've used the bass a bit more as there are other things I'd also like to change, partly to reduce the weight and partly to see how it sounds with different electronics. 
I've carefully removed all the "stock" electronics and, probably temporarily added an EMG PJ Geezer Butler set and the ABC control.    It's certainly easier to use and dial in a tone on the hoof, but it doesn't have the character of the original.   Probably worth upgrading to some form of active set up if I decide to keep it and mod it.   Another thread methinks ..........  

[Dood]

8 hours ago, Pirellithecat said:

Dithering about what to do with mine.   Had a bit of a set up with it this afternoon, and whilst I had the strings off removed a Machine Head and Weighed it - it's 106.1g.   So if i were to replace them all with Resolite GB640's it'd knock 165g off the Headstock weight.   I'll probably leave that until I've used the bass a bit more as there are other things I'd also like to change, partly to reduce the weight and partly to see how it sounds with different electronics. 
I've carefully removed all the "stock" electronics and, probably temporarily added an EMG PJ Geezer Butler set and the ABC control.    It's certainly easier to use and dial in a tone on the hoof, but it doesn't have the character of the original.   Probably worth upgrading to some form of active set up if I decide to keep it and mod it.   Another thread methinks ..........  

 

I'd really love Gotoh to make the matching lightweight set, I think they'd sell loads. Oh and my basses would liek them That said, one of my PJBS basses has Wilkinson and the other two have stock tuners and, with a wide strap, I don't really notice the weight if the bass after a normal 3 hour function. That said, one of my basses is much heavier than the other two, and, interestingly, that's reflected in the tone too. 

I love the GZr pickups, probably the best passives that EMG have ever churned out, but deep down,m I've been an Active EMG'er for over 25 years now and I love what they do, so I'd definitely recommend them, they do sound really good in the reverse P-J configuration, both pickups full on. That said, I have been having a hankering for EMG's Alnico PJ version (The standard pups are Ceramic), for a more traditional vibe. 

 

Here's what I used to ream out the smaller holes (by hand) to fit the larger potentiometers in my basses that I have upgraded. The pots dropped neatly in afterward. 

[Pirellithecat]

1 hour ago, Dood said:

 

I'd really love Gotoh to make the matching lightweight set, I think they'd sell loads. Oh and my basses would liek them That said, one of my PJBS basses has Wilkinson and the other two have stock tuners and, with a wide strap, I don't really notice the weight if the bass after a normal 3 hour function. That said, one of my basses is much heavier than the other two, and, interestingly, that's reflected in the tone too. 

I love the GZr pickups, probably the best passives that EMG have ever churned out, but deep down,m I've been an Active EMG'er for over 25 years now and I love what they do, so I'd definitely recommend them, they do sound really good in the reverse P-J configuration, both pickups full on. That said, I have been having a hankering for EMG's Alnico PJ version (The standard pups are Ceramic), for a more traditional vibe. 

 

Here's what I used to ream out the smaller holes (by hand) to fit the larger potentiometers in my basses that I have upgraded. The pots dropped neatly in afterward. 

Many thanks ...... !  Very tempted to have a go at the activisation project!  As though i really need another bass ............!   Are the EMG Alnico PJ pickups the PJAX series or just a combination of the PA plus the LJA?  I think I'd probably go for the "non X" series as I suspect I'd like the separate tone controls rather than the VLPF .... but who knows!? 
Better find something to sell to raise the funds ......  

[Dood]

1 hour ago, Pirellithecat said:

Many thanks ...... !  Very tempted to have a go at the activisation project!  As though i really need another bass ............!   Are the EMG Alnico PJ pickups the PJAX series or just a combination of the PA plus the LJA?  I think I'd probably go for the "non X" series as I suspect I'd like the separate tone controls rather than the VLPF .... but who knows!? 
Better find something to sell to raise the funds ......  

 

No problem!

 

Good question, I think you can just order them as Alnico PJ and yes, I beleive it woulkd be a PA and LJA, that would make most sense. Hmm, maybe a Pa and LJ combination would also be fun, it would give the J a bit more oomph whilst the PA would sound more traditional. Now I'm thinking about this a bit too much ha ha!! 

 

It might be worth asking EMG if its still ok to use a passive tone with the PJAX if that's what you want specifically? I can't imagine it wouldn't. Having the VLPF wouldn;t limit you from using the other preamplifier options, you could leave it out altogether and install an active pre instead - the whole thing pops together with quick connect installation that makes it (within reason) easy to customise. You could replace the pan control with a three way switch, add the EXB or VMC, plenty of options to play around with!  I think the PJBS is an absolute gem of a bass. I got my first one when they were massively out of fashion, for £200! I'd grab another before the prices go too bonkers as I really want a 70's jazz tone combination out of one!