Hipshot Hardware!

RocketMusic

RocketMusic

Gold Supporting Member
Commercial User
Oct 31, 2007
10,431
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5,463
Blacksburg, VA
www.rocketmusic.net
Disclosures
Owner, Rocket Music
#1
I've been a Hipshot dealer for years, but I've never really made much of a push to carry or sell the stuff. I have very little local foot traffic looking for parts, and I've never thought selling it online would be worth the effort.

Fast forward to me realizing a couple years ago that selling bass strings online is something I want to do... well, now the idea of selling tuners and such is very much on the table.

I recently needed to order a BT1 Bass Xtender to install on a customer's Custom Shop G&L JB. When I called Hipshot, I added a couple of extra nickel/bass side BT1's on the order just to get started with a baby step towards stocking & selling Hipshot stuff.

This is the tuner you want to grab for modern-ish G&L basses. The Hipshot site indicates you want the version with the short key, but I learned the hard way a few years ago that G&L must have transitioned to the longer key at some point in the past. So beware if you have an older G&L, you might just need the short key version (which is not this part). Here's an engineering drawing of this regular key version with all the dimensions if you want to make sure for yourself.

This is the Bass Xtender you want to grab for G&L basses. Depending on when G&L made your bass, you might need the Regular Key length or the Short Key length. Short Key is for older G&L basses, and Regular Key is for newer G&L basses. I'm not sure of the transition date, so I've provided Shipshot's engineering drawings for both key lengths so you can compare with measurements taken from your own bass.

** EDIT - see post #30 for the latest on G&L key lengths. **

Engineering drawing - Regular Key
Engineering drawing - Short Key

The BT1's are currently all showing as out of stock because I just placed the order. I expect the ones that I ordered (just the Nickel / Bass Side / Regular Key version) to arrive within a week or so. I'll add the others over time as $$ permits.

In the meantime, please let me know if there is any other Hipshot hardware that you're after! It's very easy to order and usually quick to ship. Every time I order something special for somebody, chances are I'll add some extras and just start carrying it as a usual thing.

Hipshot BT1 Bass Xtender
20100COVER_800x_1.jpg
 
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#2
Just a heads up - since I posted in post #1 earlier today, I've edited the BT1 item on my website to include both the Regular Key and the Short Key as options.

I currently only have the nickel / bass side / regular key version on order, and my plan is to order the others over time as inventory dollars permit.
 
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#3
While I was at it, I added the HB1 tuning machine to my website. I have none of these on order at the moment, but I did set some re-order points. That'll prompt me to order these the next time I place a Hipshot order.

In case it's not obvious, I'm starting with the "G&L compatible" stuff first. I figure that's my most likely path to making some sales when I have just a smattering of Hipshot items in stock.

Oh, and if you're ever browsing on my site and wondering where is the Hipshot stuff? I added a new menu: Accessories | Bass Hardware.

Hipshot HB1 Bass Tuning Machine
hb1_800x_c1dfa2e9-1860-49ef-b878-3a731770dc5e.jpg
 
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#5
I decided to jump in a little deeper with Hipshot, so I just placed a second order to fill in some of the many holes. I got some black BT1 Xtenders and some nickel and black HB1 tuners.

This is one line of products where it's fairly easy for me to serve lefties just as well as righties. Hipshot puts things in terms of "Bass Side" and "Treble Side", which is the right thing to do for right-handed 4+1, 3+2 or 3+3 headstock. But I think another way to look at it is right-handed vs left-handed? A tuner that serves the treble side for a right-handed bass should also serve the bass side on a left-handed bass? Please double check me on that, am I thinking about that correctly?

Along those lines, I ordered some treble side BT1 Xtenders in black and nickel. I also ordered some treble side HB1 tuners in nickel.
 
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#10
bdplaid said:
I buy the B bridges and the Vintage bridges.
Click to expand...

Cool, you can help me figure out where to get started with bridges! :)

There are so many variations that I won't be able to grab them all at once. I'll pick what I think are the likely sellers for my initial order(s), and then I'll fill in the holes as demand dictates.

My instinct is to start with these models and options:

4-string Vintage Bridge:
- Polished stainless steel
- barrel style and threaded rod saddles
- .750" (19mm) spacing

5-string Vintage Bridge:
- Polished stainless steel
- barrel style and threaded rod saddles
- .708" (18mm) spacing

4-string B Style Bridge:
- Aluminum and brass
- Chrome and black
- .750" (19mm) spacing

Would that cover what you normally get? Let me know if you prefer something different, it's easy to substitute or add a few more choices.

And I'll add some of the KickAss bridge, too:

4-string KickAss:
- Chrome, nickel and black

5-string KickAss:
- Chrome, nickel and black
- Mount Pattern 1 (BadAss)

If anyone is wishing there were some gold choices, please chime in! I'm assuming gold is the least popular choice, but that may just be my personal taste clouding my purchasing decisions. I'm happy to order whatever!
 
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#11
RocketMusic said:
Cool, you can help me figure out where to get started with bridges! :)

There are so many variations that I won't be able to grab them all at once. I'll pick what I think are the likely sellers for my initial order(s), and then I'll fill in the holes as demand dictates.

My instinct is to start with these models and options:

4-string Vintage Bridge:
- Polished stainless steel
- barrel style and threaded rod saddles
- .750" (19mm) spacing

5-string Vintage Bridge:
- Polished stainless steel
- barrel style and threaded rod saddles
- .708" (18mm) spacing

4-string B Style Bridge:
- Aluminum and brass
- Chrome and black
- .750" (19mm) spacing

Would that cover what you normally get? Let me know if you prefer something different, it's easy to substitute or add a few more choices.

And I'll add some of the KickAss bridge, too:

4-string KickAss:
- Chrome, nickel and black

5-string KickAss:
- Chrome, nickel and black
- Mount Pattern 1 (BadAss)

If anyone is wishing there were some gold choices, please chime in! I'm assuming gold is the least popular choice, but that may just be my personal taste clouding my purchasing decisions. I'm happy to order whatever!
Click to expand...

I have used Vintage bridges in both black and chrome. What I buy depends on the bass onto which it's going. I don't care what kind of rods; I usually go with what's cheaper.

B bridges: I have used both black and chrome. I also use both aluminum and brass. I prefer aluminum because it's lighter weight and sounds brighter to my ear. Aluminum is probably what I'd buy these days.

One further comment is that these can get pricey. I usually buy from SportHiTech because of the low prices.
 
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#12
bdplaid said:
I have used Vintage bridges in both black and chrome. What I buy depends on the bass onto which it's going. I don't care what kind of rods; I usually go with what's cheaper.

B bridges: I have used both black and chrome. I also use both aluminum and brass. I prefer aluminum because it's lighter weight and sounds brighter to my ear. Aluminum is probably what I'd buy these days.

One further comment is that these can get pricey. I usually buy from SportHiTech because of the low prices.
Click to expand...

It's my intention to meet or beat whatever prices are out there. Hipshot is one of the few vendors I deal with that do not have a MAP (Minimum Advertised Price) policy. That's why prices are all over the place out there on the internet. Hipshot sells direct at what I guess you'd call List Price (much higher than retailers typically sell them). I've been referencing one place and just rounding down to a nicer price that ends in ".99". I'll check out the place you mention, though, and see if their prices make sense to try to meet.
 
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#13
RocketMusic said:
It's my intention to meet or beat whatever prices are out there. Hipshot is one of the few vendors I deal with that do not have a MAP (Minimum Advertised Price) policy. That's why prices are all over the place out there on the internet. Hipshot sells direct at what I guess you'd call List Price (much higher than retailers typically sell them). I've been referencing one place and just rounding down to a nicer price that ends in ".99". I'll check out the place you mention, though, and see if their prices make sense to try to meet.
Click to expand...
That's cool.
And another thing I seem to buy is the Detuner with a lightweight tuner, the Y key. I think it's HE6Y?
 
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#14
RocketMusic said:
My instinct is to start with these models and options:

4-string Vintage Bridge:
- Polished stainless steel
- barrel style and threaded rod saddles
- .750" (19mm) spacing

5-string Vintage Bridge:
- Polished stainless steel
- barrel style and threaded rod saddles
- .708" (18mm) spacing

4-string B Style Bridge:
- Aluminum and brass
- Chrome and black
- .750" (19mm) spacing
Click to expand...
I think is a good place to start. For 4 string I use .75 spacing, for 5 string I have used .708.
 
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#17
bdplaid said:
One further comment is that these can get pricey. I usually buy from SportHiTech because of the low prices.
Click to expand...

** EDIT - see post #19 below

Those guy's prices are more or less in line with Stew Mac (a place I consider legit, just 'cause they've been around longer than I have - hahaha). They're certainly operating on slimmer margins than the place I was referencing for my pricing, but I think it still makes sense to do at those prices. I shall adjust accordingly!
 
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#18
@RocketMusic Can we do custom orders through you? I'm kicking around the idea of 3xHB10 and 1 BT10 for my MIJ Junior Jazz. I'm leery of some of the sellers on eBay/Reverb/Amazon as I can't be too sure that I'm not getting knock-off Hipshot parts. I considered buying straight from Hipshot for the peace of mind, but their prices are steep. I'd rather go through a TB member, and get the best of both worlds, better pricing and product I can trust.
 
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#19
Queue said:
@RocketMusic Can we do custom orders through you? I'm kicking around the idea of 3xHB10 and 1 BT10 for my MIJ Junior Jazz. I'm leery of some of the sellers on eBay/Reverb/Amazon as I can't be too sure that I'm not getting knock-off Hipshot parts. I considered buying straight from Hipshot for the peace of mind, but their prices are steep. I'd rather go through a TB member, and get the best of both worlds, better pricing and product I can trust.
Click to expand...

For sure, I'd be happy to help. I'll PM you a quote in just a sec.

Funny you mention knockoff parts... I found one piece at SportHiTech that was comparably priced to Stew Mac. I went and adjusted my margins (i.e. lowered my prices) based on that one piece's margin. Then I went back to double check my pricing against SportHiTech for some of the other pieces, and I'm still pretty high compared to them. They're selling some of those Hipshot parts at just a squeak above dealer cost. No way I can match that, and it makes me wonder what it is exactly that they're selling. I guess it could be legit parts that they bought before some recent price increase... but if that's how they're pricing things and they're paying current Hipshot pricing, they would be losing money every time they do "free" shipping on an order.

I think I'm back to just wanting to set my margins at a reasonable level, and folks can buy from me or not. I need to revisit my pricing one more time with that in mind.
 
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#20
RocketMusic said:
For sure, I'd be happy to help. I'll PM you a quote in just a sec.

Funny you mention knockoff parts... I found one piece at SportHiTech that was comparably priced to Stew Mac. I went and adjusted my margins (i.e. lowered my prices) based on that one piece's margin. Then I went back to double check my pricing against SportHiTech for some of the other pieces, and I'm still pretty high compared to them. They're selling some of those Hipshot parts at just a squeak above dealer cost. No way I can match that, and it makes me wonder what it is exactly that they're selling. I guess it could be legit parts that they bought before some recent price increase... but if that's how they're pricing things and they're paying current Hipshot pricing, they would be losing money every time they do "free" shipping on an order.

I think I'm back to just wanting to set my margins at a reasonable level, and folks can buy from me or not. I need to revisit my pricing one more time with that in mind.
Click to expand...

Yeah, sometimes I wonder. I have a SuperTone on my Epi EB that I bought on eBay, that may/may not be legit. I got a good price, and it functions the same, so I'm OK with that. Maybe a case of "you get what you pay for". My EB is a bit of a beater, that I leave in my office at work. Maybe SportHiTech buys some stupid numbers of the items they stock to get their margins right, IDK. I got some UltraLites from them that look legit. My Jazz is my #1, so I want real stuff on it. Plus, I really like the way Hipshot stands behind their products.

I'm not going to try and price match you. Set it wherever you see fit, and I'm good with that. Too bad you're not a little closer geographically, I'd swing in and pick them up! I've only been through the Blacksburg area a handful of times.
 
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