Tuners for Yamaha BB1100s

[sbrag]

Looking for recomendations on the best replacement tuners for a Yamaha bb1100s. Just after getting the Preamp fixed the G tuner has snapped (a bit like me after several decades of use it's starting to show it's ware)

 

Ideal scenario is a NOS or original one, however I'm tempted to put some new ones on. Any recommendations for the best retro fit ideally without extra drilling!

 

Thanks

[neepheid]

What kind of tuners are they?  Pics?

[sbrag]

[neepheid]

Classic late 70s, early 80s Yamaha tuners.  I have these on my BB1200 and SB500S.  Overengineered to the nth degree.  I take it the button has completely sheared off?

[sbrag]

Yup. Completely snapped. A like for like would be great if I can find one but im open to a new set of Hipshot/Gotoh/Challenge etc. If needed. Ive been tempted to add a Hipshot d-tuner so maybe that and 3 new matching ultralight. Bass has had a life and is far from pristine but it's been my most played for over 30 years.

Edited 8 hours ago by sbrag

[neepheid]

I think you'll have some trouble finding a like for like replacement - they haven't used that style of tuner for a long time now.  If you're lucky you'll find someone in the same position as you having already done a complete tuner change and have some spares they're willing to sell.  But as usual with these kind of things it'll be a case of "right place, right time".

 

As for replacements, depends how picky you want to be regarding the cosmetic results.  I think you will be fortunate to find anything with the same screw pattern - later BBs (such as the BB414) used a simpler mechanical design (no adjustable tension collet thing) but look like they might have a similar footprint/screw pattern, but the buttons are a more traditional elephant ear versus the heart shape.

 

[sbrag]

Thanks for your help. A couple of small holes on the head will go with the dings on the body. Its got a good bit of mojo already!

[Bassassin]

The original 3-screw Yammy tuners do turn up from time to time so it's worth keeping an eye open. Apropos of (probably) nothing, the same units but with cloverleaf keys were used on Tokai & various other MIJ basses in the early 80s, again, individual units & occasional full sets turn up on Ebay & Reverb sometimes.

 

[neepheid]

3 minutes ago, Bassassin said:

The original 3-screw Yammy tuners do turn up from time to time so it's worth keeping an eye open. Apropos of (probably) nothing, the same units but with cloverleaf keys were used on Tokai & various other MIJ basses in the early 80s, again, individual units & occasional full sets turn up on Ebay & Reverb sometimes.

 

 

They are wonderfully overengineered, aren't they?

 

[Bassassin]

2 minutes ago, neepheid said:

 

They are wonderfully overengineered, aren't they?

 

 

They are - and that daft collar comes loose all the time! The new design's something of an improvement, looks like it's got a hex screw for torque adjustment at the bottom.

 

Speaking of which - if the screw pattern's the same it's a drop-in replacement, non-matching key notwithstanding...  

 

https://btnmusic.co.uk/products/yamaha-bass-machine-head-assy?variant=47499549311300