Chinese machine heads

[saxobass]

E-bay is carrying several lots of machine heads made in China. The single type are described as made from copper. Not sure how likely, or desirable, this is. Does anyone have any information or advice about such products?

[Bloodaxe]

[quote name='saxobass' post='796886' date='Apr 5 2010, 07:58 PM']E-bay is carrying several lots of machine heads made in China. The single type are described as made from copper. Not sure how likely, or desirable, this is. Does anyone have any information or advice about such products?[/quote]

Wouldn't copper be a bit soft for that? It wouldn't be my material of choice for a machine head for fear of either breakage or gear wear.

Pete.

[henry norton]

It's probably meant to be something like brass - a copper alloy. Copper is way too soft, too expensive and difficult to machine so whatever it is, it ain't copper....

[saxobass]

I will try to get more info. Like you, I`m sure that copper alone is far too soft.

[keeponehandloose]

I have some of these.
They are brass and are actually very good.
I was dubious about them so,,,,,,,
I bought from a renowned luthier some high quality machines for just over £100.
Quess what,they were EXACTLY the same as the Ebay ones for 35/40 quid.
Cant remember the luthiers name ,but even after VAT etc ,I bet I coud've saved £40 or so buying from Ebay.

[saxobass]

[quote name='keeponehandloose' post='801817' date='Apr 10 2010, 01:34 PM']I have some of these.
They are brass and are actually very good.
I was dubious about them so,,,,,,,
I bought from a renowned luthier some high quality machines for just over £100.
Quess what,they were EXACTLY the same as the Ebay ones for 35/40 quid.
Cant remember the luthiers name ,but even after VAT etc ,I bet I coud've saved £40 or so buying from Ebay.[/quote]
Many thanks. That`s very helpful. Were they the single machine heads or the normal paired doubles?

[keeponehandloose]

[quote name='saxobass' post='802064' date='Apr 10 2010, 07:46 PM']Many thanks. That`s very helpful. Were they the single machine heads or the normal paired doubles?[/quote]
The ones I have got are the singles.
I am an engineer by trade so take it from me that these are very well made .
They are weighty and smooth to turn.The base plate is probably about 3mm thick.Compare that to your current tuners.
They look quite ornate,and to be honest I think that they are worth the £100 they cost me.
Bloody Chinese!!