Id'ing these Schaller bass tuners

[Kopfjaeger]

HELP!! Can anyone tell me if the chrome tuners on my 4002 are Schaller m4's? I added a foto of the black Schaller m4's on my 4004. The look very close with the major difference being the mounting screw location. Are these early m4's?? If can ID them, at least I can search for them.

Why am I asking?? Well, I' need a set of the Schaller's on my 4002 for my 4002 project but I doubt I will find a real nice set. I can use the newer style m4's but that would mean filling the mounting hole and drilling a new set of holes. Not really a big deal but I'd rather not do it if I can avoid it.

I really do want black hardware on my 4002 project so the newer m4's in black may be my only option, since finding a set of the older chrome ones and blackening them may be very difficult.

Next, it does nto seem Schaller sells to individuals. Where does one find a black 2+2 set of Schaller m4's for sale??

Sepp


Older Schallers on my 4002

Newer Schaller m4's on my 4004 (note the different mounting screw location and different base shape)

[Seans]

Not much help yet, but just to add another possible difference to the pot, the length of the post can differ I think in 1/8 increments.

[weemac]

My 4008 has those same machines...

Eden.

[weemac]

The Gotoh GB707 tuner should fit in the same place and from experience I believe it is a slightly better tuner (they have a finer ratio and seem smoother than the Schallers)
http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/bass_tunersgotoh.htm There seems to be some variation on the head style of the newer ones so you may have to find some old stock..

Eden.

[Kopfjaeger]

Eden,

Thanks for the tip about the Gotohs. I had to buy one for my Modulus 5'ver and the machine head section was different so I had to swap out the old top. That was easy, but if I'm looking for the same look and can't find the same type key section, I'd have to find 4 black to swap them with, which means 8 sets. So do I keep the same foot print and go with a different head style, oh the dilemma!!

I was not really thrilled with the Gotoh I put on the Modulus. Seemed very loose feeling and the "fit & finish" was sub par. Maybe an anomaly but it was my only dealing with a Gotoh product.

Sepp

[weemac]

Never drill holes that you don't have to... And that applies more so to a 4002!

Eden.

[johnhall]

Allparts has the same keys as on the 4002 but in black.

Edit: My mistake. That was a Gotoh I was looking at.

[Kopfjaeger]

Mr Hall, thanks for the info. I may have to put the Gotoh's on her.

Any opinions about either Gotohs and not fill and redrill or go with Schaller's and fill and redrill?? Personally, I'm a fan of the Schaller's but I'm open to thoughts and suggestions from everyone.

Sepp

[BAD RONBO, KiLLeR DWaRfS]

gibson used to put the first type m4 on some of their early '70's basses but with a gibson disc on the back. i had some and gave them to a member.

[Kopfjaeger]

Ron,

So you believe the tuners on the 4002 are early m4's?? That is what I was thinking. The odds of finding a minty set of 2+2 is pretty slim, I imagine.

Sepp

[johnhall]

Ron,

So you believe the tuners on the 4002 are early m4's?? That is what I was thinking. The odds of finding a minty set of 2+2 is pretty slim, I imagine.

Actually, not slim at all. Those are the Schaller "industry" type key as sold to manufacturers and someone must order and use those in black, I would think. Schaller does not normally offer the "industry" to their reseller/repackagers, so the trick will be to find a maker that uses them and is willing to sell a set.

I guess you do know that the "button" can be removed, right? You could buy keys in black with the wrong facing tab, switch the buttons and resell the resultant set as a reversed kit. Call them "rare" and offer them at a premium!

[Seans]

The Gibson part maybe the ones I had, these were 1/8 taller, 2c again.

[aceonbass]

While the Gotohs are a better key and appear very similar, the hole required for the tuner shaft is slightly larger at 9/16". Hold out for a set of correct M4's. They do come up on Ebay from time to time, and EVERYONE was using those keys when they first came out. I don't care for them because of their low 12:1 ratio, but this is a 4002 you're restoring, not a 4004.

[Kopfjaeger]

I don't care for them because of their low 12:1 ratio, but this is a 4002 you're restoring, not a 4004.

Good call. You are 100% correct.

Sepp

[iiipopes]

I really do want black hardware on my 4002 project so the newer m4's in black may be my only option, since finding a set of the older chrome ones and blackening them may be very difficult.
Next, it does nto seem Schaller sells to individuals. Where does one find a black 2+2 set of Schaller m4's for sale??

http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/bass ... haller.htm