Grover tuners

seth_lorinczi · Post by **seth_lorinczi** » Sat Sep 13, 2003 1:25 pm

Hi there,

I just got a 1974 Walnut-finish 4001, and in addition to other unmentionables, someone installed Fender-style tuners. Would the "wavy" Grover tuners be correct for this bass?

dano · Post by **dano** » Sat Sep 13, 2003 2:29 pm

It's hard to say...In that time period Ric stopped the checkered binding and basically used whatever parts were available. I've seen Grovers (wavy) on Ric's dating into the late 80's.

dano · Post by **dano** » Sat Sep 13, 2003 2:32 pm

Grovers and Schallers were both used during that period...I believe.

ojobob2 · Post by **ojobob2** » Sun Sep 14, 2003 1:21 am

my 73 has grovers...but i hear they are impossible (and expensive) to find, and really are ****** tuners. They just fall apart!

Ive had to glue the back covers on with epoxy.

On these, if the covers pop off, the gear shaft and the tuning key just fall out.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Sun Sep 14, 2003 5:01 pm

yeah, I've seen both on that year too, I had a 75 with Grovers, but have seen them on Ebay with Schallers (?) that are similar looking to the keys that are used now. If the originals were not grovers they would probably be reverse tuners which are probably also very hard to find, but the new ones would look cosmetically the same, or at least very similar.
I think the screw holes would be different for those two kinds of tuners, maybe you can tell which type your bass had by those. I have basses with all three different types but I have two of the same type here where I am, so I can not check for you.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Sun Sep 14, 2003 5:04 pm

Oh, if they fit the screw holes that are there all ready, they may be original, if they are reverse they are probably original.

rickde · Post by **rickde** » Sun Sep 14, 2003 8:33 pm

I've got grovers on an 8 string (not Ric) and they have been really good. I've never heard of them having a bad rap. Are they considered low-quality tuners?

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Mon Sep 15, 2003 9:28 am

No I think just the old Ric Grovers, the back was not attached to the plate very well on them, otherwise I've had decent luck with them considering all mine were at least 28 year old.

paul_yan · Post by **paul_yan** » Mon Sep 15, 2003 11:39 am

The wavy Grovers on my '72 are strong and fine, though sometimes I hear about people having bad ones on 4001's of that period. Nice looking tuners they are.

Grover, along with Schaller and Gotoh, are considered some of the best tuners.

ojobob2 · Post by **ojobob2** » Mon Sep 15, 2003 1:10 pm

i think they are good tuners. but the backs fall off.

then....they are 30 yrs old.....so...

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Tue Sep 16, 2003 11:43 am

When I got my 72 two of the tuners were bad, I bought a whole set.... for $300.00! I am sure I could have gotten them much cheaper on Ebay, but I didn't have the patience to wait. I knew someone who had them, so I bought them. I too think they are very cool looking tuners. I like the reverse tuners the best though. I have at least one at home with the back off, I will have to try the JH trick when I get back.

ojobob2 · Post by **ojobob2** » Tue Sep 16, 2003 11:50 am

Bob are your Grovers the same as mine? when the back comes off, the tuning key falls to the floor and the shaft pops out, unraveling the string