AndWhy Posted 1 hour ago Posted 1 hour ago Hi Team BassChat! I’m looking for some insight on how worthwhile a Hipshot xtender (or other drop d tuning head) would be… Current band includes 25-30 songs, and a couple (literally 2!) require drop-d tuning. I currently quickly tune down before and then up after each song (x2). Questions: Am I going to prematurely wear out my machineheads/cogs if I keep doing what I’m doing? Will an xtender really just automatically stay in tune and not require “fine tuning” once dropped or reinstated back to E? Is it a mod a n00b could do, or best to have it done by a pro at same time as a set up? (Assume I know a fair bit about theory, but have zero practical practice with any modifications… I can change strings and use a screwdriver, but that’s about it) Any good/bad/indifferent experiences or recommendations? I play a 2015 fender P-bass special, p-bass body with jazz neck, and Pj pups if that makes a difference… Quote
Jean-Luc Pickguard Posted 1 hour ago Posted 1 hour ago Quote Am I going to prematurely wear out my machineheads/cogs if I keep doing what I’m doing? Nope - it'll be fine Quote Will an xtender really just automatically stay in tune and not require “fine tuning” once dropped or reinstated back to E? Once they're set up, and if the nut is slidey enough, the xtender should work as you hope it would. a sticky nut can cause it to not behave and you need to ensure the little adjustment screw on the xtender is set correctly Quote Is it a mod a n00b could do, or best to have it done by a pro at same time as a set up? (Assume I know a fair bit about theory, but have zero practical practice with any modifications… I can change strings and use a screwdriver, but that’s about it) Its dead easy to fit if you buy the correct type that corresponds to the bass's existing tuners. just take the string off the E tuner, unscrew and remove the tuner, fit the xtender using the screws that come with the xtender. Quote Any good/bad/indifferent experiences or recommendations? A little dab of vaseline on the xtender goes a long way and keeps it working smoothly. Also if you don'r have a graphtec nut, some pencil graphite in the nut slot helps keep the string moving smoothly in the slot. Quote
Lozz196 Posted 46 minutes ago Posted 46 minutes ago I’d go for the Xtender, they’re easy to fit and just work, much easier than tuning down/up. Quote
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