MK Bass Weed
Well-known member
They come in Lefty?
Hee hee
Hee hee
- Thread starter Big Poppa
- Start date
Bass Control
Well-known member
Do we know what models these are being installed on and are they starting to appear on those instruments now? I would love for these to be on my Roasted Maple Reflex 5!
Kamakiriad
Well-known member
JayDawg
Well-known member
Since I just got my Bongo 4 Hp with the new lightweight tuners, I figured I would bump this thread with pictures and a write up. First, the pictures.
So shortly after ordering my Bongo, I was curious if it would have the new lightweight tuners on it since it was a 2012 build. I called customer service and they confirmed it would. I have to admit, that at first I was a little apprehensive as I really liked my other 2 Bongo's with the original style tuners on them and now I would have a Bongo that would not really match the other ones on the head stock. However, I was also very curious about them. After all, I have never known the folks at Ernie Ball/Music Man to change something unless of course it was for the better. I also reminded myself that this was a company that is not afraid to take chances and go against tradition or the norm to do something different but instead, do something that is innovative (Look at the Bongo, Big Al, Reflex and Game Changer just for starters and the new Cobalt strings too.) so I took a deep breath, stepped back and got kind of anxious to be one of the first people to have the new tuners. Fast forward to my bass arriving earlier this week. The first thing I wanted to check out was the new tuners. Would I like how they looked? Would they truly be noticeably lighter? Would the build quality still be the same? Well to answer all of those questions, yes!
First, the looks: These look absolutely amazing. On my other basses that I own that are not Music Man, the tuners look very similar to them but that is where the similarities stop. These are better but more on that in a bit.
Next, the lightweight claim: To answer that, yes they are noticeably lighter. I have 2 other 4 string Bongo's and the head stock feels at the very least a 1/2lb. lighter as Music Man claimed. I then weighed my Bongo 4 H and my new Bongo 4 Hp. Now granted, the piezo option may have made the new bass slightly lighter too since more wood is removed for the piezo but the Bongo with the new lightweight tuners weighed .8lbs lighter. The big difference though is definitely the feel of the head stock. There really is a very noticeable difference in how much lighter the headstock feels.
Next, the quality: Now granted, I have only had this bass less than a week so I can't give any long term reports but from looking at the tuners, using the tuners, and seeing how they feel, the quality on them is definitely top notch. There is no slipping of the gears, everything is tight, all of the strings tune and down tune very easy and nothing appears to be of poor quality.
Last, the ergonomics: This is where Music Man killed it! They really knocked it out of the park on the ergonomics. By far these are the most comfortable tuners I have ever used in my 25 years of playing bass. Since the tuners slightly twist from the top of them to the bottom, it gives the tuners a very comfortable, natural feel as you tune or down tune your bass. They are also very smooth in the turning process. Again, without any of the gears slipping. Like Music Man also claimed, the turning ratio is much different than your normal tuners so just a slight adjustment properly tunes or down tunes the strings.
Negatives: Nothing! This is my honest to goodness opinion. I can't find a single thing about these tuners that I don't like. Okay, maybe I wish I could put them on my other Bongo's without having the holes left over from the previous tuners but that is something that you can't blame on these tuners.
Conclusion: Once again, Ernie Ball did something different, unique and innovative! Once again, their doing this was something for the better. Tons of benefits out of these little guys. A noticeable lighter weight, the best ergonomics from any tuner ever made, better gear ratio for finer tuning and absolutely killer looks. I honestly went over these tuners with a fine tooth comb trying to find something that I did not like about them so I could maybe give a balanced review or a review where I don't simply come off sounding like a fanboy but the honest to goodness truth is I can't find a single thing about them that I don't like and if I put something I didn't like, I would then be lying. These things freaking rock! Great job Sterling and the folks at Ernie Ball/Music Man. Add this to the list of many great things you guys have made. Bongo, Big Al, Reflex, Game Changer, Cobalt strings and now the new light weight tuners!
So shortly after ordering my Bongo, I was curious if it would have the new lightweight tuners on it since it was a 2012 build. I called customer service and they confirmed it would. I have to admit, that at first I was a little apprehensive as I really liked my other 2 Bongo's with the original style tuners on them and now I would have a Bongo that would not really match the other ones on the head stock. However, I was also very curious about them. After all, I have never known the folks at Ernie Ball/Music Man to change something unless of course it was for the better. I also reminded myself that this was a company that is not afraid to take chances and go against tradition or the norm to do something different but instead, do something that is innovative (Look at the Bongo, Big Al, Reflex and Game Changer just for starters and the new Cobalt strings too.) so I took a deep breath, stepped back and got kind of anxious to be one of the first people to have the new tuners. Fast forward to my bass arriving earlier this week. The first thing I wanted to check out was the new tuners. Would I like how they looked? Would they truly be noticeably lighter? Would the build quality still be the same? Well to answer all of those questions, yes!
First, the looks: These look absolutely amazing. On my other basses that I own that are not Music Man, the tuners look very similar to them but that is where the similarities stop. These are better but more on that in a bit.
Next, the lightweight claim: To answer that, yes they are noticeably lighter. I have 2 other 4 string Bongo's and the head stock feels at the very least a 1/2lb. lighter as Music Man claimed. I then weighed my Bongo 4 H and my new Bongo 4 Hp. Now granted, the piezo option may have made the new bass slightly lighter too since more wood is removed for the piezo but the Bongo with the new lightweight tuners weighed .8lbs lighter. The big difference though is definitely the feel of the head stock. There really is a very noticeable difference in how much lighter the headstock feels.
Next, the quality: Now granted, I have only had this bass less than a week so I can't give any long term reports but from looking at the tuners, using the tuners, and seeing how they feel, the quality on them is definitely top notch. There is no slipping of the gears, everything is tight, all of the strings tune and down tune very easy and nothing appears to be of poor quality.
Last, the ergonomics: This is where Music Man killed it! They really knocked it out of the park on the ergonomics. By far these are the most comfortable tuners I have ever used in my 25 years of playing bass. Since the tuners slightly twist from the top of them to the bottom, it gives the tuners a very comfortable, natural feel as you tune or down tune your bass. They are also very smooth in the turning process. Again, without any of the gears slipping. Like Music Man also claimed, the turning ratio is much different than your normal tuners so just a slight adjustment properly tunes or down tunes the strings.
Negatives: Nothing! This is my honest to goodness opinion. I can't find a single thing about these tuners that I don't like. Okay, maybe I wish I could put them on my other Bongo's without having the holes left over from the previous tuners but that is something that you can't blame on these tuners.
Conclusion: Once again, Ernie Ball did something different, unique and innovative! Once again, their doing this was something for the better. Tons of benefits out of these little guys. A noticeable lighter weight, the best ergonomics from any tuner ever made, better gear ratio for finer tuning and absolutely killer looks. I honestly went over these tuners with a fine tooth comb trying to find something that I did not like about them so I could maybe give a balanced review or a review where I don't simply come off sounding like a fanboy but the honest to goodness truth is I can't find a single thing about them that I don't like and if I put something I didn't like, I would then be lying. These things freaking rock! Great job Sterling and the folks at Ernie Ball/Music Man. Add this to the list of many great things you guys have made. Bongo, Big Al, Reflex, Game Changer, Cobalt strings and now the new light weight tuners!
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laneline
Well-known member
Outstanding review JayDawg, you demystified any pre misconceptions out there, no surprise that when EBMM says new and improved tuners they actually are. Innovation and cutting edge components are just in their DNA. I think it's natural for players to be hesitant when there is a visual change in an instrument that has been a mainstay. But the bottom line is if it makes the bass better, form follows function. Great report and congrats on your new Bongo. Now I'm even more pumped waiting for the PND.
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Holdsg
Well-known member
Yep, great review Jay. Bring on the PDN.
OldManMusic
Well-known member
Great review Jay. I've got them on my Reflex GC and really like them. It's one of those "little things" that you don't think too much about but makes such a nice difference. Now if HipShot would only make extenders in that design for us drop-D guys.
keko
Well-known member
Now I'm considering to replace my reflex with new one, just to get set of these new tunning machines! 
Are they retro fit-able on first reflex/25th production models, like mine?
Are they retro fit-able on first reflex/25th production models, like mine?
JayDawg
Well-known member
Now I'm considering to replace my reflex with new one, just to get set of these new tunning machines!
Are they retro fit-able on first reflex/25th production models, like mine?
I talked to customer service about that and the answer is yes and no. Technically speaking they are retro fit-able but what you would have left over is the screw holes from the old tuners so it would look kind of ugly on the back of your headstock.
bassmonkeee
Well-known member
But, mostly no, since I think it was established that they won't sell them separately. Of course, that entire discussion took place before they were released. I don't know if there has been a definitive word since they are now out in the world.
I know they aren't retrofitable on Bongos or Big Als because the tuner pegs are different size and they simply won't fit. But, on the reflex, it is the same size shaft. Getting some of them is the issue here.
I know they aren't retrofitable on Bongos or Big Als because the tuner pegs are different size and they simply won't fit. But, on the reflex, it is the same size shaft. Getting some of them is the issue here.
Big Poppa
Well-known member
Monkee they just look awful when you try to swap them out....
bassmonkeee
Well-known member
That's what I figured.
Kevin_H
Member
Actually, it's the other way around. The shaft size of the new tuners matches the Schaller tuners on the Bongo and Big Al, but the footprint is much smaller so the holes from the Schallers would show (doesn't look good). Trying to retrofit these with the new tuners is not recommended, especially trying to drill out a Reflex to the larger size shaft. You risk ruining your neck.
Better off saving up for a new one
bassmonkeee
Well-known member
Ah, Gotcha. I'm not one of the ones who wants to retrofit. I'm simply looking forward to getting a 6 string Bongo next year if everything works out.
So yes it fits ? and yes they are available for purchase ?
These are gonna sell. Extra screw holes on the back of
headstocks are far from rare. Lotsa peeps are enjoying
the Hipshot lightweights, and are not loosing any sleep
over a dozen little holes on the back of the headstock.
`
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keko
Well-known member
Actually, it's the other way around. The shaft size of the new tuners matches the Schaller tuners on the Bongo and Big Al, but the footprint is much smaller so the holes from the Schallers would show (doesn't look good). Trying to retrofit these with the new tuners is not recommended, especially trying to drill out a Reflex to the larger size shaft. You risk ruining your neck.
Better off saving up for a new one
Thanks Kevin,
I got the picture now!
However, ...my next goal is a new Bongo, ...later I'll decide about to swap my reflex with new one, I already had a few potential buyers for my "White Cadillac", it's veeery rare over here, ...maybe even one of a kind!
I like new reflex 5 H in gold color with maple neck and new tuners from officially EBMM instruments page!
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Movielife
Well-known member
Keko! Don't sell that bass just to get the new tuners! Its a wonderful bass. Just get em on your new Bongo
Movielife
Well-known member
I wouldn't want any holes...it would look unfinished. I'd rather leave untampered and just get the new tuners on any new basses I order (obviously the ones that have them!)
