Fluted tuning machines?

[smatanovic]

I am contemplating a tuner upgrade for my bases. 3/4 currently have player series tuners, and the fourth has Classic Vibe. I find all four sets of tuning machines to be just ok. None are particularly stable or precise. Does switching to a fluted tuner like these from Fender increase tuning stability? I assume it would make it easier to get the correct break angle over the nut? Or is all of this just GAS and a waste of $$?

 

[Kubicki Fan]

IMO GAS, IDK

 

[tb-player]

Not a waste. I used to use Jenz spiral tuners that guided the string to the base of the post. This adds stability to the headstock, many times eliminating dead spots. But most important for me, no need for string retainers (I hate the way they look).

If those fluted tuning posts force the string down to the base, that can only be beneficial.

 

[sissy kathy]

Not a waste.....

If those fluted tuning posts force the string down to the base, that can only be beneficial.

Unfortunately the taper doesn't go all the way down, so the tuner wants the strings further up the post than necessary.

 

[KenD]

I don't see any practical advantage to those but I have often wondered why tuning pegs are not knurled or otherwise roughened to improve string grip.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I am not sure the fluted shaft portion makes as much as a difference as the overall quality and weight reduction of a lot of higher quality (and priced) choices. You can easily guide the strings down from top to bottom on a straight shaft tuning post as well.

I think overall of the tuners I have owned/tried, my favourite tuners are the Gotoh GB640 Res-O-Lite tuners. I have plenty of basses with Hipshots that are very good too.

The GraphTech Ratio tuners look intriguing and seem like a good idea to me. I've always noticed how the B-string is harder to tune as slight turns seem to move too drastically.

 

[Manticore]

I find untaper tuning posts an unnecessary hassle. If I end up with a bass with untapped posts I either change the tuners immediately or sell the bass. The same goes for those goofy (vintage?) reverse tuners. But that's just me.

 

[sissy kathy]

@Smallmouth_Bass I hope the bass in your avatar is waterproof; the instrument not the fish.

 

[Phaidrus]

My 2017 Am.Prof Pbass has these fluted tuners, my 2008 Am.Std. Pbass has normal tuners with thicker/normal shafts.
Both are equally stable in terms of tuning, I prefer the thicker ones. They look more appropriate for a bass and the strings, especially along thick E string, does not have to bend too much on the tuner.

 

[J Wilson]

I've never had bogus tuning keys, either exceptional like Schaller or Gotohs, or budget keys like my Squiers use.

I cut the strings to where the wraps end up at the bottom of the post, and I ONLY tune UP. If I go sharp, I back off to flat and come up to pitch, never back down to it.

A tiny bit of lube in the nut slots doesn't hurt, and on those big open gear Fender-style keys, I will take out the screw holding the big gear in place, sandpaper the face down side, add a bit of lube to that face and just a bit on the worm gear. Credit where credit's due, it's a Dan Erlewine/Stew Mac tweak.

And as always, you want the wraps on the post to look like this . . . .

. . . . and not like this:

 

[blastoff]

are they confusing fluted for tapered?
update: mmm yea... if not confusing, misusing.

notwitwstanding the fact the actual flutes aren't tapered (much)

anyhow, i had a couple g&ls with similar tuners and i found them absolutely infuriatingly frustrating to get an even wind down the tapered shaft. just get a feel for the amount of winds necessary to put the final wind down by the ferrule on a cylindrical shaft.

 

[96tbird]

Fluted tuners are atrocious. They work against you as you try to get the wraps down on the ferrule where they need to be on a FSO headstock, especially the E and A. Another example of a solution in search of a problem.

 

[sissy kathy]

I don't see any practical advantage to those but I have often wondered why tuning pegs are not knurled or otherwise roughened to improve string grip.

It isn't necessary; the grip (post friction) is already strong enough that you can snap the strings by increasing the string tension using the tuner.

 

[KenD]

It isn't necessary; the grip (post friction) is already strong enough that you can snap the strings by increasing the string tension using the tuner.

I hear you; although polished smooth tuning pegs and silk on the string ends still seems counterintuitive to me

 

[Jeff Scott]

I much prefer piccolo'd tuning keys, personally. Either that or straight shafts.

 

[smatanovic]

I ONLY tune UP. If I go sharp, I back off to flat and come up to pitch, never back down to it.

I saw this advice early on in my bass journey and it has served me well.

So, GAS it is...

 

[smatanovic]

And so of course I broke a tuning machine this morning (kid accidentally knocked over one of my p basses).

 

[Jeff Scott]

And so of course I broke a tuning machine this morning (kid accidentally knocked over one of my p basses).

Are you sure it accidental?

 

[sissy kathy]

Are you sure it accidental?

It's his child, it was an accident whether it was or not.

 

[smatanovic]

I ended up replacing the single broken tuner with a generic knockoff from Amazon. It looks fine and holds a tune. This will tide me over until I replace the whole set some day.