Hipshot tuners better than Fender Am Std?

[WindsurfMaui]

Bought my first set of Hipshot staggered locking tuners so I could use a Warmoth neck that I may be selling shortly. I am greatly impressed by the no drilling mounting system. Quite ingenious. Why didn't someone think of it sooner? Anyway, I am finding these Hipshot locking closed tuners more precise than the usual Fender Amer Std. I thought I read that the Fender tuners are 18:1 and the hipshot 15:1 so theoretically the Fenders should be more precise but that is not what I am finding. What experience are others having with hipshot tuners?

 

[rgand]

I've used both the Fender and Hipshot tuners and prefer Hipshots. They are quite smooth and that really makes them easy to tune.

 

[stratamania]

I have both types and am okay with either of them as they both do the job.

The UMP mounting system of the Hipshots is a reasonable idea but I am not sure I would use it again. For new tuners now on builds I am leaning now towards Schallers.

 

[rgand]

I forgot to mention that I never use Hipshot's UMP mounting plates. I didn't particularly like them but I see how they would be handy for changing tuners on a vintage neck if you don't want to change the alignment hole pattern from the original tuners.

Since Hipshot tuners have a screw hole for alignment, I just mount them with the provided screws.

 

[WindsurfMaui]

I like how that little plate allows me to attach the tuners so quickly and leaves no trace of holes. I own a Stew-Mac  tuner pin hole jig and it works fine to drill the holes for the Fender Am Std Locking tuners but it is so much work and then the tuners aren't as precise as the Hipshots are. I'm so impressed I have to look into Hipshot trems and their tremblocker.

 

[rauchman]

I have both types and am okay with either of them as they both do the job.

The UMP mounting system of the Hipshots is a reasonable idea but I am not sure I would use it again. For new tuners now on builds I am leaning now towards Schallers.

What do you find that is better on the Schallers?

 

[stratamania]

I have both types and am okay with either of them as they both do the job.

The UMP mounting system of the Hipshots is a reasonable idea but I am not sure I would use it again. For new tuners now on builds I am leaning now towards Schallers.

What do you find that is better on the Schallers?

It is not really a case of either being better than the other.

The Hipshots are very good tuners and many on this forum use them due to recommendations from myself. I prefer to use the screws rather than the UMP plates but anyone has that choice.

For me Hipshots are not quite so readily available in the UK and Europe so that generally means more shipping and import charges if I have to order from the US. These charges I am aiming to avoid as much as possible.

Schaller are from Germany, more readily available in this part of the world, have great customer service in my experience, have a great range of choices and are good quality so they are now my brand of choice.

 

[rauchman]

I have both types and am okay with either of them as they both do the job.

The UMP mounting system of the Hipshots is a reasonable idea but I am not sure I would use it again. For new tuners now on builds I am leaning now towards Schallers.

What do you find that is better on the Schallers?

It is not really a case of either being better than the other.

The Hipshots are very good tuners and many on this forum use them due to recommendations from myself. I prefer to use the screws rather than the UMP plates but anyone has that choice.

For me Hipshots are not quite so readily available in the UK and Europe so that generally means more shipping and import charges if I have to order from the US. These charges I am aiming to avoid as much as possible.

Schaller are from Germany, more readily available in this part of the world, have great customer service in my experience, have a great range of choices and are good quality so they are now my brand of choice.

Excellent....thanks!

 

[stratamania]

Sure, glad to help.

 

[Rick]

Big fan of hipshots here!  :icon_thumright:

 

[PhilHill]

I have a set of Hipshot Grip-Lock Open tuners, however my neck is still in process so I have to wait to give an impression. They do seem nice though, they have a quality look and feel to them.

 

[rgand]

Another reason I like Hipshots is the selection of buttons you can order them with.

 

[rauchman]

Another reason I like Hipshots is the selection of buttons you can order them with.

Very true.  On my Tele build, using the ivoroid plastic buttons also reduced considerable weight.  Enough to favorably change the balance of the guitar.

 

[stratamania]

Another reason I like Hipshots is the selection of buttons you can order them with.

Very true.  On my Tele build, using the ivoroid plastic buttons also reduced considerable weight.  Enough to favorably change the balance of the guitar.

That also applies to many tuner manufacturers being able to order different buttons.