Schaller Tuners

rob · Post by **rob** » Fri May 25, 2001 8:11 am

I was wondering if Rickenbacker always used Schaller tuners, and if not, what were the previous brand?

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Fri May 25, 2001 8:26 am

Robert-As far as I know they used a few different styles of machine heads on Rickenbacker basses--In the '60s I think it was mainly Kluson heads.My 1972 4001LH had Grover heads on it from the factory, and at some point during its lifetime it has had Schaller heads installed on it. My 1979 4001LH has the original Klusons still on it and my 1992 4001CS has the modern version on the vintage Kluson heads. The 4002 had Schaller heads on it from the factory. What is neat is that on my '79 the tuners turn clock-wise as though they are 'left-handed' tuners...so there were some differences, and I've probably not mentioned them all....

rob · Post by **rob** » Sat May 26, 2001 5:33 am

I have a '76 4001 with the original tuners. What would mine be? Any idea?

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Sat May 26, 2001 9:29 am

If you have 'elephant ears' with exposed gears ...these are Klusons

If they are rectangular enclosed and they feel looooooose, they are Grovers -it says so on the casing.
If they look like a tuner with one mounting screw on the back of the headstock and the round cover plate has a stylized S or a snake looking thing on it ...that is a Schaller M-4

If you have a tuner that has exposed gears and says Rickenbacker on it ...that is a Schaller version of the Kluson .

If you have something else ...it is not stock