Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

hello all,as some of you may know,i own a 74 4000. it is currently getting work done,a refret,new nut,setup and shielding,to make it more play-worthy. i had replaced the stock bridge some time ago with an aluminum hipshot,again for the better functionality. one of the remaining and somewhat irksome features of this bass are the tuning keys. they are the open back reverse action klusons. the keys are great,but specifically the shaft on these keys,instead of being open across the top for easy string insertion,have a *tiny* hole in the side. i don't actually change strings that often,but find these a major pain to deal with when i do. so my question would be....do these keys come apart in such a way that i could replace the tuning posts while keeping the rest of the tuners? i really do not want to put all new keys on there,as the originals work fine,but i have considered it. so whaddaya think?

Well...If they only have a hole in the side of the post, then I don't think they're original equipment so my answer might not apply...but all of my Kluson type nickel reverse bass tuners from the 70's do have posts that are removable/replaceable.

The problem is gonna be finding a set of the slotted posts that aren't attached to the rest of the tuner.

so not an order-able part from kluson,eh? rats! i will more than likely just live with them.....the thing about it i don't like is having to "tie a knot" in the string to keep them attached.......

Most likely, they were accidentally shipped to Rickenbacker and they used them anyway. Gibson and some others used the non-slotted post Klusons. You could have a machine shop slot the posts for you if you really like them. Good luck!


Jim

They don't look like these, do they?

jps wrote:They don't look like these, do they?

If they look like that, I'm looking for a set! I don't need originals, just tuners that have posts that look like that, so if these don't match, any leads are appreciated.

just now noticing your posts (no pun intended) jeff and jake,and,no, my tuners are very narrow,the ones on that picture look very fat and stubby by comparison. i really would like it if i could replace the posts only without having to replace the entire key,but if i did,is there a direct-fitting replacement? remember these are the reverse-action type klusons.....

edit -you know my bass has been gone for repairs for almost 4 weeks now,so i am not absolutely sure the tuners don't look like the ones above. i am trying to obtain a picture to look at,and i guess i also need to call my luthier and light a fire under his.....

edit #2 well the ones pictured above seem to missing the top rings,so they do look funny,that and the smeary paint/blood stuff all over it....

does this work.....download/file.php?id=11850&mode=view

edit...yes i see it does. this is they.

Interesting tuners, Woody. When you get the bass back try and post more detailed photos of them, front and back, please.

Woody, they look a bit like the ones on the early 4000 on Graham's landing page.
http://www.rickenbacker.me.uk/www.ricke ... lcome.html

hmm...graham's tuners look more like the ones pictured on the red bass above...the posts seem larger on both of these examples than the ones on my bass.....

recent iphone photo......(sorry i lack your skills and equipment,jeffrey!)

and here's the back view

hope this isn't overkill.....

Those certainly look quite vintage to me!