bridge Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 (edited) Hi, this is my first post, so be gentle with me! I have been looking for a hipshot extender for a couple of days, and, after searching e bay etc, and many uk sites, finally ordered one from Musicians Friend in the USA. The main reason being, after paying postage and duty etc, it still worked out almost £30 cheaper than buying in UK.! Ok, it will take longer to get here, but hey,I dont really mind that. Anyone ever had dealings with Musicians Friend? would be interested to hear your views. I am 57 years old, have always loved bass, but had never learned to play, until a mate pestered me to have a go, just practicing with his newly formed band, 12 months ago. (covers band). So I had a go, read a lot, (an awful lot!!) especially on this site, outcome? have now been gigging quite succesfully, for over eight months, (first one just 8 weeks after joining band!) hey, Im no Jaco, but loving every minute of it! Thanks guys for a terrific site,it has helped me no end. Edited November 17, 2011 by bridge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xilddx Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 [quote name='bridge' timestamp='1321537020' post='1440301'] Hi, this is my first post, so be gentle with me! I have been looking for a hipshot extender for a couple of days, and, after searching e bay etc, and many uk sites, finally ordered one from Musicians Friend in the USA. The main reason being, after paying postage and duty etc, it still worked out almost £30 cheaper than buying in UK.! Ok, it will take longer to get here, but hey,I dont really mind that. Anyone ever had dealings with Musicians Friend? would be interested to hear your views. I am 57 years old, have always loved bass, but had never learned to play, until a mate pestered me to have a go, just practicing with his newly formed band, 12 months ago. (covers band). So I had a go, read a lot, (an awful lot!!) especially on this site, outcome? have now been gigging quite succesfully, for over eight months, (first one just 8 weeks after joining band!) hey, Im no Jaco, but loving every minute of it! Thanks guys for a terrific site,it has helped me no end. [/quote] Not used MF, but I get all my Hipshot gear on ebay from the states and never had a problem. The Bass Extender is a superb bit of kit! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacqueslemac Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 Same here - on all counts! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridge Posted November 23, 2011 Author Share Posted November 23, 2011 Thanks Guys, willl let you know what sort of service/delivery I finally get. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridge Posted November 24, 2011 Author Share Posted November 24, 2011 Ok, it has finally arrived. took a total of eight days from order to delivery, did it save me any money? well, debateable, total cost including import duty (which some people seem to get away with, guess it depends who you but from and what they describe the package contents as) was around £75, so not much saving. Will now attempt to fit and use it, does not seem too hard (famous last words!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridge Posted November 25, 2011 Author Share Posted November 25, 2011 Extender fitted and seems to work fine. Tuner slightly stiff, but hopefully its because its new (turned ok in slot before extender fitted). Just need to give it some welly next week at rehersals, before trusting it to a gig. fingers crossed it will be fine! no more detuning or changing guitar! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted November 25, 2011 Share Posted November 25, 2011 [quote name='bridge' timestamp='1322234773' post='1448401'] Extender fitted and seems to work fine. Tuner slightly stiff, but hopefully its because its new (turned ok in slot before extender fitted). Just need to give it some welly next week at rehersals, before trusting it to a gig. fingers crossed it will be fine! no more detuning or changing guitar! [/quote] Slightly stiff is better than slightly loose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ou7shined Posted November 25, 2011 Share Posted November 25, 2011 [quote name='bridge' timestamp='1322234773' post='1448401'] Extender fitted and seems to work fine. Tuner slightly stiff, but hopefully its because its new (turned ok in slot before extender fitted). Just need to give it some welly next week at rehersals, before trusting it to a gig. fingers crossed it will be fine! no more detuning or changing guitar! [/quote] If it's too stiff it may be down to a bit of misalignment and you could wear it out prematurely. Slacken off the screws slightly and give the tuner ear a few wiggles back and forth to bed it in then while still under tension tighten them up again. Swathe all moving parts including the face where the lever presses against the plate in Vaseline and it will last you a lifetime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridge Posted November 26, 2011 Author Share Posted November 26, 2011 Thanks for feedback guys, it[i] is [/i]actually the tuner part that is stiffer than the other 3, but I guess it would be as the others are the originals (2004 MIM Jazz).Will give your advice a try mate, just to make sure, and most certainly ill give it a ilberal coat of vaseline.Thanks again guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ou7shined Posted November 26, 2011 Share Posted November 26, 2011 Yep I figured it is the tuner ear that was stiff. It need not be and should in fact move as freely as your original ones. The tightness of a tuner is mainly down to how firmly the rear capstan screw is torqued down however excessive tightness is usually due to the capstan being impeded by the front bush. If this is the case with your extender you will have problems getting a constant and accurate detune. The wiggle trick I mentioned before helps re-seat the entire assembly to the point where it is most comfortable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted November 29, 2011 Share Posted November 29, 2011 [quote name='bridge' timestamp='1322136397' post='1446924'] Ok, it has finally arrived. took a total of eight days from order to delivery, did it save me any money? well, debateable, total cost including import duty (which some people seem to get away with, guess it depends who you but from and what they describe the package contents as) was around £75, so not much saving. Will now attempt to fit and use it, does not seem too hard (famous last words!) [/quote] I have bought several from USA, on eBay. Never been hit with VAT etc. I bought the first one, worked out well, and continued getting mine from there (4 in total). I don't recall the eBay username, but if interested I can dig it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridge Posted November 30, 2011 Author Share Posted November 30, 2011 mcnach, Thanks mate,that would be great. My frist buy from USA, came UPS, and they wanted £18 charges! I think that it depends on what the seller states on customs form. Used the Hipshot for first time tonight at rehersals, bloody marvelous bit of kit!!! cheers again mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted December 1, 2011 Share Posted December 1, 2011 [quote name='bridge' timestamp='1322692639' post='1454713'] mcnach, Thanks mate,that would be great. My frist buy from USA, came UPS, and they wanted £18 charges! I think that it depends on what the seller states on customs form. Used the Hipshot for first time tonight at rehersals, bloody marvelous bit of kit!!! cheers again mate [/quote] the eBay user is '[b][url="http://myworld.ebay.co.uk/joshmsr/?_trksid=p4340.l2559"][b]joshmsr[/b][/url]'[/b] Pretty smooth 4 out of 4 times. I hope nothing changes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridge Posted December 1, 2011 Author Share Posted December 1, 2011 [quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1322704872' post='1454813'] the eBay user is '[b][url="http://myworld.ebay.co.uk/joshmsr/?_trksid=p4340.l2559"][b]joshmsr[/b][/url]'[/b] Pretty smooth 4 out of 4 times. I hope nothing changes! [/quote] Cheers mate,much obliged, will gve him a try next time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allighatt0r Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 [quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1322704872' post='1454813'] the eBay user is '[b][url="http://myworld.ebay.co.uk/joshmsr/?_trksid=p4340.l2559"][b]joshmsr[/b][/url]'[/b] Pretty smooth 4 out of 4 times. I hope nothing changes! [/quote] Just bought one from this chap, I'll report back when it arrives! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ou7shined Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 I've bought extenders from that guy a few times too (cheaper than anywhere here, new [b]and second hand [/b] ) with no problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridge Posted December 3, 2011 Author Share Posted December 3, 2011 (edited) [quote name='Ou7shined' timestamp='1322306249' post='1449079'] Yep I figured it is the tuner ear that was stiff. It need not be and should in fact move as freely as your original ones. The tightness of a tuner is mainly down to how firmly the rear capstan screw is torqued down however excessive tightness is usually due to the capstan being impeded by the front bush. If this is the case with your extender you will have problems getting a constant and accurate detune. The wiggle trick I mentioned before helps re-seat the entire assembly to the point where it is most comfortable. [/quote] Ok, have tried the various fixes, and it is still stiff.When the "ear" is turned, it turns ok at first, then stiffened up, and appears to "slip" under pressure of the turn. it also seems to be "grinding" on something, probably the bush impeding as you mentioned. I think a complete removal and refit is called for, will try this tomorrow.Still reckon its a terrific bit of kit though!! Edited December 3, 2011 by bridge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rOB Posted December 4, 2011 Share Posted December 4, 2011 (edited) Welcome to the forum! Love my extender. Not a lot of call for mine at the moment but a great bit of kit if you play in more than one tuning. Edited December 4, 2011 by rOB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridge Posted December 5, 2011 Author Share Posted December 5, 2011 (edited) Ok, have removed, checked and refitted extender, now works nice and freely, however!! now have E string "buzz",it even buzzes if unfretted, and A string played, not descernible through amp, but it was not there berfore. have tried various adjustments , bridge etc, but no joy, ah well, I guess as it cant be heard through amp, I will just have to live with it. Thanks for all your help guys, as a very new and raw Bassist, I need all the assistance I can muster! Edited December 5, 2011 by bridge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ou7shined Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 Good that you've got it working. About the buzz, could you have worn out the E slot in your nut? If you have there's not much you can do apart from replace it (there are bodges with superglue but I don't recommend them). You could try placing a very thin (< 0.5mm) bit of veneer under it but it may just open a whole new can of worms for you. Anyway, put a little Vaseline (or pencil lead dust - graphite) in the slot to help lubricate it and prevent any further wear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridge Posted December 5, 2011 Author Share Posted December 5, 2011 [quote name='Ou7shined' timestamp='1323085564' post='1458975'] Good that you've got it working. About the buzz, could you have worn out the E slot in your nut? If you have there's not much you can do apart from replace it (there are bodges with superglue but I don't recommend them). You could try placing a very thin (< 0.5mm) bit of veneer under it but it may just open a whole new can of worms for you. Anyway, put a little Vaseline (or pencil lead dust - graphite) in the slot to help lubricate it and prevent any further wear. [/quote] Yeh, had given that a thought. I did/have put graphite in the nut slot, but it does look a bit worse for wear to be honest. Time for a new nut I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridge Posted December 5, 2011 Author Share Posted December 5, 2011 Ok me again!! Sorry guys. after fitting the extender, I discovered what appears to be a headstock tuner bush left over?? I never noticed it with the kit, the original bush is still in place. Does anyone know if the kit comes with this bush, or is it maybe a converter bush? it has a splined exterior.sorry to be such a numpty, but I really am new to all this. Hmmm, all this talk of bushes, may have to have a cold shower! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 [quote name='bridge' timestamp='1323094694' post='1459146'] Ok me again!! Sorry guys. after fitting the extender, I discovered what appears to be a headstock tuner bush left over?? I never noticed it with the kit, the original bush is still in place. Does anyone know if the kit comes with this bush, or is it maybe a converter bush? it has a splined exterior.sorry to be such a numpty, but I really am new to all this. Hmmm, all this talk of bushes, may have to have a cold shower! [/quote] It comes with one, but I have always used the original one, like you have. So it's all good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridge Posted December 5, 2011 Author Share Posted December 5, 2011 [quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1323119112' post='1459593'] It comes with one, but I have always used the original one, like you have. So it's all good [/quote] Thanks mate, once again basschat to the rescue! its like having an extended Family, brilliant! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassmachine2112 Posted December 6, 2011 Share Posted December 6, 2011 They are great,I have 2,one a musicman and one on a t-bird. Have fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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