Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Guys,

I'm looking for a bit of help and/or info on the tuners used on the C64 basses. I'm told these tuners are nickel is this true? if so, how do they compare with vintage nickel Klusons? I think Nickel Klusons were used into the 1980's on certain basses. Also, the Ferrules on the C64's are they nickel plated steel and not plastic?? is anyone able to get me an accurate diameter of the ferrule where it slips into the headstock??

The reason I ask, I need to replace the M4 Tuners that are on the soon to arrive 1965 4001 project bass I purchased. While I can find the early nickel Kluson tuners, provided they were not different than ones used in the 1960's, the correct ferrules will be tough to find. As a stop gap I'd consider purchasing the C64 "clone" tuners that adorned the c64 basses as long as they are very close. If they are chrome, I'm not interested.

Please feel free to post fotos as well of your C64 headstocks both front and rear fotos please!

Thanks in advance.

Sepp

Hi Sepp,

From memory the C64 tuners were made by Gotoh on special order to be as close as possible to the specs of the '60s Klusons. Sadly I don't have a C64 to hand to check on the plating bit the dimensions and bushings should be a more appropriate match.

I don't recall if they are nickel or chrome plated but I do recall that they are nowhere near as smooth to turn as the open back Schallers. I realize you are going for authenticity.

Search the registry for C64.

http://www.rickresource.com/register/us ... llsize.jpg

http://www.rickresource.com/register/us ... llsize.jpg

Even better, let the Rick Gallery do the searching for you:

4001C64 headstock front: http://www.rickresource.com/register/ga ... =0&month=0

4001C64 headstock back: http://www.rickresource.com/register/ga ... =0&month=0

Authenticity, yes exactly!! While there may be much smoother tuners to use, it's important to have this return to stock. I should have mentioned that I did a forum search for c64 headstock fotos but I could not tell if the tuners were chrome or nickel by those fotos. Nickel has a much deeper looking finish than chrome. With a little age nickel gets a nice grey patina. In my honest opinion, chrome looks like **** when compared to nickel.

The ferrules on the c64 are tiny and in reality, if they are steel and will fit vintage Kluson's, I could use them with a set of vintage Klusons on the bass and no one would be the wiser. If the c64 tuners are nickel and someone here is able to definitively tell me they are, I'll order a set from RIC since they still list them in their boutique, although there is no foto.

Hopefully the headstock was not reamed to use the m4's! I really won't knwo that until I get the bass in hand and someone is able to furnish the ferrule diameter.

Thanks again!

Sepp

Kopfjaeger wrote:Authenticity, yes exactly!! While there may be much smoother tuners to use, it's important to have this return to stock. I should have mentioned that I did a forum search for c64 headstock fotos but I could not tell if the tuners were chrome or nickel by those fotos. Nickel has a much deeper looking finish than chrome. With a little age nickel gets a nice grey patina. In my honest opinion, chrome looks like **** when compared to nickel.

The ferrules on the c64 are tiny and in reality, if they are steel and will fit vintage Kluson's, I could use them with a set of vintage Klusons on the bass and no one would be the wiser. If the c64 tuners are nickel and someone here is able to definitively tell me they are, I'll order a set from RIC since they still list them in their boutique, although there is no foto.

Hopefully the headstock was not reamed to use the m4's! I really won't knwo that until I get the bass in hand and someone is able to furnish the ferrule diameter.

Thanks again!

Sepp

If interested, I have a set at home that is gathering dust. I bought it for my 1968 4001 restoration project but I ended up finding a "real" set of 68 keywinds.

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