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Bass Tuners on a Budget

Posted: Thu Feb 20, 2014 1:24 pm
by 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.

Re: Bass Tuners on a Budget

Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2014 2:53 am
by 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.

Re: Bass Tuners on a Budget

Posted: Sat Feb 22, 2014 2:11 am
by 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.

Re: Bass Tuners on a Budget

Posted: Sat Feb 22, 2014 1:29 pm
by David King
Try the Gotoh FB3s. I see them selling for under $60.

Re: Bass Tuners on a Budget

Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2014 12:55 pm
by Mark Wybierala
I haven't had any problems with economy bass tuners but I'd stay away from any economy tuners with plastic buttons.

Re: Bass Tuners on a Budget

Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2014 1:30 pm
by 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.