5 string bass questions; don't laugh~

[AprioriMark]

Ok, so I've been playing bass seriously for 20 years.  I've played upright and electric fretless mostly.  I always said that I'd get a 5 string when I'd mastered the 4, so... yeah, I don't have one.  I have a few questions as I'm looking at giving up on my self-imposed criteria and building a 5.

1)  What tuners will work on a Warmoth J-style 5 (the 4+1)?  I love the big BML mofos and simply will not use the GB7/BML light keys.  Holy hell are those stupid looking.  What other options do I have, as I thought I remembered that the 5 wouldn't take the standard BMLs.  Tell me I'm wrong, please.

2) What weight issues do 5s have?  I know that Warmoth necks are generally heavy, so I imagine the 5 neck is even heavier.  Am I looking at needing a back brace?

3)  How much of a biznitch is setup on a Warmoth 5?  I've had good and bad luck with J-style Warmoth necks in the past; specifically that exotic wood didn't seem to want to bow at all.

4) Is there anyone in the Tacoma area who you folks might suggest for doing a grind and polish?  I'm looking for someone new and good.


-Mark

 

[MUYFUE]

HAHAHA! I ONLY use the smaller tuners, I can't see myself using those giant tuners. :dontknow:

1. To my knowledge the 4+1 is the headstock that can fit the big tuners. I'm pretty sure the 5 in a row can only fit the smaller tuners. Call 'em they may be able to drill for the larger spacing.

2. My Gecko does weigh about 13 pounds...so yeah, is heavy, but it's also Koa and Maple.
Maybe an Ash body would cut down on weight, but I've never played a 5 J-bass that was NOT a little neck heavy. That's why I got a Gecko, for the perfect balance. :icon_thumright:

3. Never had an isue with my neck, It's maple with purpleheart lams.  I have no experience with exotics on necks. Once I settled on the strings I use and the action, I only had to adjust the truss rod once or twice.

4. No fretless for me, sorry 
Hope that helps!

 

[stubhead]

You can order the Warmoth 5 neck with the big holes. I had to enlarge them slightly more to get the BML's in. The BMLs are reversible, so you can make one into the high string tuner, but Warmoth sells them 4-at-a-time only - I bought two sets, lemme know if you want to buy just one to make a five with them! You and two of your friends! :hello2:

And I agree - fender(ish) basses without doofus-ear tuners just look wrong. Five of them and a wide neck are heavy, you have to take it into account.

 

[line6man]

and simply will not use the GB7/BML light keys.  Holy hell are those stupid looking. 

And I agree - fender(ish) basses without doofus-ear tuners just look wrong. Five of them and a wide neck are heavy, you have to take it into account.

No, i am going to have to whole heartedly disagree with you guys.
I used to hate Ultralites because they weren't traditional looking, but i got past it.
I'm not a fan of sealed gear tuners, or tuners with triangle shaped keys, but i like clover key Ultralite tuners on Jazz basses. I know this isn't a 5 string, and it isn't Maple, but they look wonderful IMO...

If you guys want big heavy primitive tuners, go for it!
I'll stick to the small sized ones that don't weigh a ton.

 

[AprioriMark]

To be clear, I'm talking about the "T" looking tuners.  I wouldn't mind the clover ones that you've posted. 

-Mark

 

[line6man]

To be clear, I'm talking about the "T" looking tuners.  I wouldn't mind the clover ones that you've posted. 

-Mark

Well then why not get clovers then?

 

[MUYFUE]

What is the reason you guys hate the closed gear Triangle / T-spahed / Modern design so much?

I like that the button screws in instead of being set into a slot in the peg, seems safer.
I like the closed gear design, no shmutz gets in there.

Is it mainly on looks?  :dontknow:

 

[line6man]

What is the reason you guys hate the closed gear Triangle / T-spahed / Modern design so much?

I like that the button screws in instead of being set into a slot in the peg, seems safer.
I like the closed gear design, no shmutz gets in there.

Is it mainly on looks?  :dontknow:

Well, i don't usually like non Fender-ish things period, but i think those kind of tuners look totally out of place on any Fender styled bass or headstock.

I'm not sure what your talking about with a button that screws in?

I would prefer to be able to see the gears on my tuners rather than them being covered up.

 

[MUYFUE]

I gotcha...A Fender loyalist I see. All good, style counts for a lot.

The Button is what I call the Key...the Y or T shaped part that we actually grab and turn to tune the string.
On the Gotoh set, that piece screws down onto the peg that turns the gear.

I like having them covered to keep stuff from damaging the gears.
good quality Fender Style tuners have always been pretty tough though, So i guess it' sjust my preferences.
For example, I like the 3+2 way more than the 4+1 headstock.

"Ok so you got apples and oranges...but in the end, we all fruit!"

 

[AprioriMark]

What is the reason you guys hate the closed gear Triangle / T-spahed / Modern design so much?

I like that the button screws in instead of being set into a slot in the peg, seems safer.
I like the closed gear design, no shmutz gets in there.

Is it mainly on looks?  :dontknow:

It doesn't feel like a bass to me without the big clovers, probably from playing upright.  The little "T" things feel like toys.

Well then why not get clovers then?

At first glance, it seemed that it was either BML or the little looking ones on the Warmoth site.  I'm not up on tuner technology or whatever, since I found something that works for me.  Where did you get the ones on your bass?

-Mark

 

[line6man]

Well then why not get clovers then?

At first glance, it seemed that it was either BML or the little looking ones on the Warmoth site.  I'm not up on tuner technology or whatever, since I found something that works for me.  Where did you get the ones on your bass?

-Mark

Mine are Hipshot Ultralites.
Warmoth doesn't sell them i don't think.

I bought mine from BestBassGear, which i highly recommend. (Brian is always very helpful is you have any questions)
http://www.bestbassgear.com/hipshot-ultralight-tuners.htm

 

[Patrick from Davis]

The Hipshot Ultralights are great.  No "set pin," they are quite a bit less weight (less neck dive,) and they have models that fit into either of the hole sizes offered.  The tuning keys can be keys or clover leaves for your tastes as well.  They install easy and work well.  Also, I would second that recommendation of Brian at Best Bass Gear.  They have treated me extremely well when problems of a nature that was completely unexpected by all came up.  Also they ship really fast for a very low price.  I am sold on the Hipshots.  Now if I could get the bass body I am working on back from my buddy with the spray rig, the bass build that never ends might get one step further.
Patrick

 

[line6man]

The Hipshot Ultralights are great.  No "set pin," they are quite a bit less weight (less neck dive,) and they have models that fit into either of the hole sizes offered.  The tuning keys can be keys or clover leaves for your tastes as well.  They install easy and work well.  Also, I would second that recommendation of Brian at Best Bass Gear.  They have treated me extremely well when problems of a nature that was completely unexpected by all came up.  Also they ship really fast for a very low price.  I am sold on the Hipshots.  Now if I could get the bass body I am working on back from my buddy with the spray rig, the bass build that never ends might get one step further.
Patrick

Word-for-word, a huge +1 to everything.

Hipshot Ultralites are excellent tuners that weigh very little, they come in a couple different flavors and sizes to suit the bass, they are easy enough to install and are pretty much rock solid.
BBG is a wonderful dealer, Brian is VERY helpful and goes out of his way to ensure customer satisfaction, and his shipping is quite fair and VERY fast.
And I am sold on the Hipshots as well.

 

[stubhead]

If you guys want big heavy primitive tuners, go for it!
I'll stick to the small sized ones that don't weigh a ton.

Noted bass builder Roger Sadowsky intentionally uses big heavy primitive tuners, because he thinks they sound better - but what does he know. :dontknow:

http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2009/May/Roger_Sadowsky_A_Vintage_Man_of_Modern_Means.aspx

I have to ask why do you make the headstock thicker?

I have found that mass on the headstock improves tone and eliminates or lessens dead spots. In fact, I have found that lightweight tuners will make dead spots worse.

:tard: :sad1: :dontknow:

 

[MUYFUE]

Well I'm glad my tuners are made of Uranim  :laughing8:

 

[mayfly]

Well I'm glad my tuners are made of Uranim  :laughing8:

Directly from Uranus.  :icon_jokercolor:

PS.  - I like hipshot stuff.

 

[Patrick from Davis]

I like the hipshots as well.  The original post sort of hinted at wanting the original look and worrying about the weight, so I thought the Hipshots would be a good suggestion, but I was a couple of posts too late.  There are arguments for and against having more or less mass on the head of a bass, doesn't really matter much to me.  I like the thing to work and not be a hazard with neck dive.  When it comes down to it, it is the player that makes or breaks the sum of the parts, and my playing is bad enough that no one will notice what kind of tuners are on the thing.
Patrick