Bass Tuners on a Budget

[Alexander Higgins]

Shopping for parts for a new bass project. I like the big "three leaf clover" bass tuners made by Schaller:
http://schallertuners.com/category/scha ... ss-tuners/

But of course, I can't afford them. Is there a brand anyone can recommend out there that's at least decent quality, but more reasonably priced? I've seen tuners that look just like these ones at a glance for under $10.00 each, but they are probably Chinese junk. Any suggestions? Gotoh makes a decent looking set, also pretty pricey for around $75.00/4 tuners.

[Peter Wilcox]

I just use the Chinese junk, such as these: http://store.guitarfetish.com/Set-of-fo ... _5813.html#
They seem to be fairly well made, smooth and functional, and not ugly. Of course, they lack a fancy logo. I have these on a couple of basses I've jammed with weekly over the last 8 months or so, and no problems so far.

[Dan Warren]

I've got some of the Stew-mac store brand on one of mine, for about 3 1/2 years now, and I've yet to have a problem with them.

[David King]

Try the Gotoh FB3s. I see them selling for under $60.

[Mark Wybierala]

I haven't had any problems with economy bass tuners but I'd stay away from any economy tuners with plastic buttons.

[Peter Wilcox]

I just had a problem with several of the tuners in a really cheap set I got directly from China. The worm was not quite close enough to the worm gear, and started damaging worm gear teeth and binding under tension. I was able to "reconfigure" (bend) them and clean up the teeth without too much trouble so they work ok, but I would now think twice about the Chinese ones.