What D-tuner is fitted to Sandberg California II TM4 Ida Nielsen ?

[Aidan63]

Does anyone know which D-Tuner is used on the Ida Nielsen Califonia II signature bass please; or which one fits the other Califonia II models with the single fixing screw ovoid backplate

[Andyjr1515]

Hi @Aidan63

 

From the photos, I'm pretty sure that I can see the Hipshot stamp on it - it looks like a 20300G Gold Hipshot BT3 to me, although it would be worth you double checking with Sandberg themselves.

[Aidan63]

BT3 is reverse tuner and has rivetted plate; it looks like it may be a special to me

Can you spec a D-tuner on a Sandberg custom ? I can't see it on configurator

Could probably use a HE6 but it would mean drilling a securing screw hole and it wouldn't match the other tuners but the one on the Ida Nielsen doesn't as closely match the other tuners as most of the other designs do

A bit weird if they do it for hers but don't get Hipshot to make them in other finishes for their other basses

Edited April 12, 2023 by Aidan63

[Andyjr1515]

Hmmm....I was looking at this:

 

I'm sure this is Hipshot and it is rivetted.  Is the BT3 reverse or reversible (most of the more expensive Hipshots are)?  And if the former, then I may have got the number wrong but almost certainly they will then do a non-reverse. 

 

But, on the other hand, the stock Thomann pic seems to have a different one.  Pretty sure it's still Hipshot, but agreed, it's not the same rivetted plate:

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 12, 2023 by Andyjr1515

[Andyjr1515]

2 hours ago, Aidan63 said:

Can you spec a D-tuner on a Sandberg custom ? I can't see it on configurator

Not a criticism on Sandberg because at least they have configuration options...but it is fairly basic.  It only lets you choose the colour for hardware.

 

So the Ida Nielsen base model V in the configurator does have the drop (you can see the lever below - but the only option for hardware you can change in the configurator is the colour):

 

 

...but many/most/all other base model V's don't have the drop (and, again, the configurator only lets you choose the hardware colour)

 

 

Edited April 12, 2023 by Andyjr1515

[TheGreek]

@Lozz196 has a few for sale currently. 

Take your bass round to his and buy the one you like. 

[Lozz196]

It looks like the BT7 to me - and the info on Bassdirect says the BT7 fits Sandberg California models.

 

Given that Hipshot are pretty decent on customer service why not message them and ask which model it is.

[Aidan63]

The BT 7 fits the California original model which had pretty much same tuners as Mexican Fenders, and may well fit the II models but is very different to the stock tuners, but then so is the one fitted to the Ida Nielsen. I did buy the BT7 off Lozz so will offer it up when changing strings next and see, it will mean drilling a hole to secure it so want to see if it will be hidden by the Sandberg original tuner if mod is reversed. Seems odd the Hipshot make a tuner for Sandberg but not for the whole range, do the Germans not like them, or are they incapable of making their own ? Is the whole D-tuner thing patented by Hipshot still ?

[Andyjr1515]

36 minutes ago, Aidan63 said:

Is the whole D-tuner thing patented by Hipshot still ?

I don't know, but I suspect that...

 

And, if so, who can blame them - it is a very good design that works beautifully.

[vincbt]

Sorry for hijacking the thread but I’d need some advice on this topic.

 

I’m looking to fit a Hipshot Xtender on my Sandberg Caifornia (with new style tuners).

 

Initially I bought a BT7 but it didn’t fit, the hole in the headstock was a tad too small and I didn’t want to mess with it, so it went back.

 

Now I bought a BT1 but also a HE6. Neither of them retrofits the bass but both would work if I drill some holes for the screws.

 

I am inclined to think the HE6 is a better fit as it only needs one hole and this would be covered if I decided to put back the original tuner. The BT1 needs 4 holes and there is no way they’d all be covered by the original tuner.

 

Has anybody made this swap before? Any reason why the HE6 won’t work or would create issues I haven’t thought of?

 

Thanks in advance, I include a few photos to give a better idea.

 

HE6

HE6

BT1

BT1

Edited July 7, 2023 by vincbt

[Aidan63]

Thanks for testing the BT7, I haven't changed strings (tapewounds on fretless) yet, but I know the BT7 will fit other instruments I have, and also there are people who'll buy it if I don't use it at all.

HE6 looks the best off the shelf option as it's only 1 hole to drill and is covered by Sandberg Cal II tuner if removed

Maybe BassDirect or another dealer can discuss this with Sandberg and get a recommendation for all the California II models, we can't be the only peeps wanting to fit one to one of their basses.

I reckon Hipshot might actually make the Sandberg tuners, but as with all things these days no one will acknowledge where they actually source parts for the usual bollocks reason of 'commercial confidentiality'

[vincbt]

Agree it's a bit of a pain...

The BT1 and BT7 have the same shaft, but looking at the diagram I realised the BT7 has a ferrule with 18mm diameter while the BT1 has a 17.5mm one, enough to make a difference on my Sandberg. BassDirect does say the BT7 is meant to fit so it may be an issue with the newer models only. 

 

I'm based in Europe unfortunately so dealing with Thomann, I could try to ask them