Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

So after putting a set of hipshot ultralites on my precision a little while ago, I'm seriously considering doing the same to my 4003.

As far as the reasoning goes, I find that I'm a lot more comfortable when a bass is somewhat 'body heavy' I guess you could say and although I wouldn't say my Rick has full on neck dive, it does naturally want to sit at a more horizontal angle than seems to suit me. I've obviously used good quality straps which help but i can always feel that 'tug' I guess you could call it which I'm constantly aware of.

I'd obviously heard of lightweight tuners and decided to guinea pig the Fender somewhat (although It did suffer from actual headstock-meet-floor syndrome without a good strap) to see how it would feel and it absolutely transformed the bass for me - so much more comfortable and easier to play. The problem is, I've done some searching around and have found the information regarding Ricks and lightweight tuners a bit well, light.

I've seen a few mentions of people using the hipshots but it wasn't clear if they're a straight fit replacement like they were with the Fender, sometimes it seems so and other times not. As much as I'd love to put them on, I really don't want to have to mod the instrument too much. I can live with the single screw hole for the ultralites since I know it would be covered up by the original tuners if I ever wanted to go back for any reason, but would rather avoid drilling out/filling the headstock in any way.

So, I guess I'm just looking to you good folks to help educate me for certain - will the ultralites fit or are they a mod job? Are there any other brands of tuner to look at or consider? Does the manufacture year affect anything size wise (mines is a 2003)?

Also, while I'm prattling on, is there any easy fit for a 4004? They obviously have the much smaller tuner backs so even if they could be changed would I be right in thinking there would then be no way to hide and screw holes if you went back to stock?

Thanks in advance for any information!

Although Hipshot Ultralites are available with a 3/8" tuner post, they require the holes in the headstock to be enlarged to 9/16". The best replacement for the Schaller M4's found on 4004's with their weak 12:1 ratio, are the Schaller M2000 tuner, which have a 22:1 ratio. No one in this country sells them, so they must be purchased online from a music store in Germany.

As Dane said, the post holes will need to be drilled out slightly, no big deal to do, really. I did so on a July '73 4001 and on a 2003 4004Cii to install Ultralites on both of those. I had also put a set on my old '67 4005WB (those had the bigger, Fender style posts). And I have installed Ultralites on many other basses over the years (Fenders, Alembics, ZONs, Rick Turners). Great tuning keys. Go for it.

Ah, that is disappointing news

As much as I'd love to try them and have no intentions of selling the bass, I don't know if I could bring myself to actually go ahead with the drilling. Does no one at all make a lightweight tuner that's a direct fit? Seems like a gap in the market to me or are they simply not as popular as I'm thinking?

I put them on my bass. At the time, Hipshot was having some quality issues, so I went through 3 sets. They were very nice about it and I only paid for the original set...and yeah, I drilled them out. The Titans were shot...really shot.

Anyone consider the Gotoh GB-350 RES-O-LITES?

59jazz wrote:Anyone consider the Gotoh GB-350 RES-O-LITES?

I like a smooth winding experience. The description on Gotoh's website says you too, can have a smooth winding experience if you use these tuning keys.

I am not overly fond of the shape of the key but perhaps that is what provides the smooth winding experience.

I would assume the GB350 requires the same opening as the GB7/Hipshot Ultralite so you would have to ream out the post hole a bit (thereby, providing the smooth winding experience). Go for it, I say!

jps wrote:

59jazz wrote:Anyone consider the Gotoh GB-350 RES-O-LITES?

I like a smooth winding experience. The description on Gotoh's website says you too, can have a smooth winding experience if you use these tuning keys.

I am not overly fond of the shape of the key but perhaps that is what provides the smooth winding experience.

I would assume the GB350 requires the same opening as the GB7/Hipshot Ultralite so you would have to ream out the post hole a bit (thereby, providing the smooth winding experience). Go for it, I say!

I wonder what sort of warranty service is for not having a smooth winding experience .....

The Gotoh GB-350 RES-O-LITES also require the holes in the headstock to be enlarged to 9/16".

According to Gotoh. By use of the Rock-Solid mechanism the GB350 transmits string movement more powerfully, whilst retaining tuning and giving a smooth winding experience. If it's Rock-Solid, could smooth winding fail?

Badanovski wrote:According to Gotoh. By use of the Rock-Solid mechanism the GB350 transmits string movement more powerfully, whilst retaining tuning and giving a smooth winding experience. If it's Rock-Solid, could smooth winding fail?

Is that a reference to you?

While my given name is Rock, my winding is rarely smooth. Oh & I've gained too much weight in my old age to be considered light. I've got the light Hipshots on my 4003 & my 51' P bass reissue. For some reason mine aren't very smooth.