70s Rick/Grover tuners revisited

dave4004 · Post by **dave4004** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 5:50 am

I'm cross-posting this for Rick12dr, he's having server problems and hasn't been able to access here:

I was digging through my old catalog collection the other day, and found a 70s Grover catalog I'd sent for.Here's some specifics describing the closed box tuner found on Rick basses:these are referred to as; "Slimline Electric Bass Machine with "Contour" Butterfly Buttons".
The model # is 140C[2 on a side; was also available 4-in-line!].Price in mid 70s listed at $25.
Gear ratio is 18 to 1.
I thought this might be of interest to some of you guys.

ojobob2 · Post by **ojobob2** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 6:32 am

My 4001 has them.....but....thats of no interest to me

I actually managed to finally repair mine - they are the worst bass tuners ever.

I had to get one re- tabbed and welded so it doesnt explode.

paul_yan · Post by **paul_yan** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 7:20 am

As far as I know, Grover had 2 models from the 140 series: 140C for Rickenbacker and 140CH for Fender.
The gear boxes look the same. The posts are different in shape and diameter.

Maybe there are more variations from the 140 series?

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 7:44 am

I have a set of N.O.S. Grovers, still in the box, and I'll check to see the model number designation later on when I have them in front of me.....maybe post some pics too. They will be going on my '72 4001LH...

rhampshire · Post by **rhampshire** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 8:13 am

Does anybody know if any other manufacturers used these tuners, or just RIC?

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 8:54 am

There was a set of Grover Slimlines on Ebay a few weeks ago that were I think the model 140CH's that Paul has up in the window, they won't fit a Ric. Instead of putting the string down the middle of the shaft you put it through the hole in the post. When they are mounted on a Ric bass the hole is too low to put the string through. They looked identical though.

jps · Post by **jps** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 2:10 pm

I took mine off and replaced them with Hipshot Ultralites. I did have to bore out the peghead holes a tad though, but well worth it.

ojobob2 · Post by **ojobob2** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 2:19 pm

yeah i reckon if you grovers are broken , or missing, dont bother getting replacements. They are not very good tuner design.

They keep the bass in tune well, look ok, but just fall apart..... they are a silly design. the square back is all that keeps the things held together.

rickenbrother · Post by **rickenbrother** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 8:57 pm

I agree that those Grover tuners are not the best tuners to have on your bass. I'd prefer my '73 4001 had Schallers, but I don't want to modify it.
I had to repair my Grover tuners too. They would fall apart when I'd loosen tension to change strings. I removed the bad tuners from the headstock and carefully applied a small amount of epoxy to the 4 posts that hold the "box" on to the plate. They are holding up pretty good now.

jal · Post by **jal** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 9:35 pm

These came off my old 69-70 Dan Armstrong ,
http://a2.cpimg.com/image/EC/CD/23830252-a68a-02210199-.jpg

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Fri Oct 10, 2003 4:46 pm

I hate to say this, but I like the Grovers, I like the reverse tuners even better, the newer ones have too high of a turning ratio for me, I like to tune on the fly.

squirebass · Post by **squirebass** » Fri Oct 10, 2003 4:59 pm

I agree with you Bob, I like those older ones that are reversed, and I have Grovers on my '71 hate to say I like them but they work pretty well!
But I definitely prefer the look of the old Klusons...
Oh and Bob, please check yer email...

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Fri Oct 10, 2003 5:20 pm

I'm sorry Gene, I saw it and will answer tomorrow when I have more time. I have a bunch of e-mails to answer and have been lazy, trying to search for tech answers has pretty much taken up most of my time.

jimd · Post by **jimd** » Sat Oct 11, 2003 6:12 pm

Hey, Rickenbrother, what kind of epoxy will work to repair these Grovers? I can't find any that will fit without gettin out the drill and..... I don't even want to think about it!! I've gone 19 years without modifying my 4003 and I don't want to start now. Oh, yeah, hello all, I'm new here

mortivan · Post by **mortivan** » Sat Oct 11, 2003 7:59 pm

Hi Jim.