G'day, Rachael, so glad I had this tutorial to watch! I put Thunderguts on my Bondi Ukuleles bass tonight, I hated the steel round wounds it came with. I was having a hell of a time getting that E string to stay on the tuning peg. The tutorial by Aquila only mentioned putting that knot on the 1st and 2nd strings, as they were thinner. I went with your method on the E and A, and had no problem! Thank you!
There is a hole in the shaft of the hip shot tuner, and the end of the string can go down in the hole. This keeps it from slipping out and you don't have the loose ends hanging. Thanks so much for this video. I'm about to change my tutors, and I was perplexed as to how the hip shot tuner comes apart. This was very enlightening :-)
Very glad to have helped. I tend not to put the string into the hole as you can end up with too much string on the tuner but of course it depends what strings you are using too.
Rachel: I enjoy all of your videos. I play electric bass as well as U-Bass in our community's new ukulele group (19 members and 17 additional new recruits). I've maintained my bass guitars for years too. When I saw this video my first thought was to steal a teflon washer from an old tuning machine in my supply of surplus stuff. Nothing wrong with Hipshot of course. Also, despite manufacturer's guidance, I install my strings (now using Thunderblacks thanks to you) by inserting the cut end down into the tuning machine and winding up the slack. That's how it's done on most bass guitars. It's worked fine for me and no string slipping. My acoustic-electric U-Bass is not as nice as the Kala instruments. I ordered my own Pinky but in a teal colour; no sparkle in the finish. It arrives this week. You mentioned waiting a long time for Pinky to arrive. If I ordered mine direct, it would be a 3 to 4 month wait so I paid a little bit more at Amazon and the wait time is about 4 weeks.
Hi Andy, Thanks for your lovely comment. TBH I think if the way you fit strings work then there are no real issues. Hopefully your new bass has arrived? Pinky took so long because it was right at the start of Covid but did turn up eventually.
@@UkuleleWales Yes, it arrived one day earlier than promised. I adjusted the relief then changed to my Thunderblacks. I swapped the tuning machines from my a-e Bass to the new solid body because the mechanical quality was better and smoother. I'm very happy with the new unit. My daughter (age 49) is going to start learning ukulele on line so I gave her the link to your lessons. Another friend of mine, a music teacher and guitar/bass player said "if I were in a ukulele band, Rachel would be my bass player". Cheers!
BTW, the new solid body arrived with the strings inserted down into the centre of the tuning machines, the way I prefer. There's no right or wrong about all of that, I know.
This comes at great time for me. I'm having issues on my hadean bass ukulele and will have to replace at least one tuner. Thank you for the great and easy to follow instructions.
Glad to be helping Shirl. They do often sell the tuners seperately, I know they do on the Kala website. Just make sure you get one for the correct side. Which of your has issues? I'm guessing the A or E string.
@@UkuleleWales You are absolutely correct, it is the E string. I have seen the Hipshot tuners for sale individually but I haven't seen a set sold together. And thank you, I will make sure to get one for the E/A side. Fortunately, I got a 2nd u-bass to get me through. Even though I have several ukuleles, I must have my u-bass too!
That is definitely the long term plan Gary. It was interesting reading your FB comments about the Kala truss rod issue. I've been planning on talking about the lack of California ubasses for a while and that does all make sense. Having said that, my Nik West has round wounds and no truss rod but no issues so far. I did buy it direct from Kala and they haven't told me to stop using them............. we'll see.
Thank you so much, I found another cheaper brand set of four to replace one that had chewed up gears. Thanks for this video. I was able to switch it out and it fit on my Carmel brand Bass
Thanks Peter, I was so happy when I realised there would be no drilling involved. I was prepared to drill if necessary but didn't even have to alter the small screw hole.
Thanks again for another great video. Hip shots are definitely quality tuners. Both my U-Basses have them along with one of my Bill Wyman bass guitars. Well worth replacing cheaper tuners. Thanks again, stay safe and well.
Totally agree Michael, I didn't really want to replace with more cheap tuners so very glad I got the Hipshots and fitted with no modifications so very happy. Thanks as always for all you fab support, you take care.
Hi Rachel. I enjoyed your video. However, I can't seem to find these tuners. I tried to google what I thought you said they were called. Can you provide a link to a source. I've also looked at hipshots web page and can't find anything for the rubber strings. Thanks
I got these from the SOuthern Ukulele Store a while back - Hipshot “Road Toad” Custom Black Ukulele Machine Heads. They are out of stock at the moment but worth keeping an eye out for them. I’ll add a link in a moment - www.southernukulelestore.co.uk/hipshot-road-toad-custom-black-ukulele-bass-machine-heads-set-of-4/
Hi, I haven't tried them on a Donner as I don't have one but at a guess I would say yes. I think most of the cheaper tuners that are being used are the same, so I see no reason why the holes would be different.
Honest answer is I don’t know. I pretty sure I have tried a bass guitar hipshot in the past and just wasn’t quite the right size for the bass uke hence why I went with the Hipshot Road Toad customs. Might be worth asking on one of the bass forums as there are some very knowledgable folks on there. Next time I’m changing machines heads I try and check again. 👍
Hi Daniel, they are the Hipshot “Road Toad” Custom Black Ukulele Bass Machine Heads I got them from Southern Ukulele Store but if you do a search you’ll also them in Bass Direct (UK) or Fred’s Guitar Parts (US). Hope that helps 👍
That operation didn't look as easy as shooting from the hip even though the name of the machine head so suggested. The ones I used on my DIY electric tenor are intended for a base guitar. They are much easier to install than those Hipshots, but relatively big and heavy for a small instrument. I chose them because of the looks.
Thanks Olli, I did fiddle about quite a bit and made it look more difficult than it actually was I think. It's been ages since I've changed a tuner! ;-) Hope you are keeping well.
@@UkuleleWales Rach, do you know if the unbranded ones on my Kala acoustic-electric U-basses are actually unmarked Hipshots? It's hard to tell from your demo, so if you know or even have a guess, please share. Thanks!
Easiest way to tell Jules is the Hipshots don’t have the washers in between the tuning head bit (does that make sense) and the machine bit. If you look when I’m unwinding the E string you’ll see the wrecked middle bit turning around. The Hipshots are plain black right through. And there’s a mini ramble! 😂 And yes to the Pinky cult. 💞
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Wow, thanks Rachel. A lot more steps to that than I thought. Will be nice to have this vid available if I ever need it.
I’m loving them Loree, so much better. I think I probably I made it oak more complicated, I did the other 3 so much quicker!
G'day, Rachael, so glad I had this tutorial to watch! I put Thunderguts on my Bondi Ukuleles bass tonight, I hated the steel round wounds it came with. I was having a hell of a time getting that E string to stay on the tuning peg. The tutorial by Aquila only mentioned putting that knot on the 1st and 2nd strings, as they were thinner. I went with your method on the E and A, and had no problem! Thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
There is a hole in the shaft of the hip shot tuner, and the end of the string can go down in the hole. This keeps it from slipping out and you don't have the loose ends hanging. Thanks so much for this video. I'm about to change my tutors, and I was perplexed as to how the hip shot tuner comes apart. This was very enlightening :-)
Very glad to have helped. I tend not to put the string into the hole as you can end up with too much string on the tuner but of course it depends what strings you are using too.
Rachel: I enjoy all of your videos. I play electric bass as well as U-Bass in our community's new ukulele group (19 members and 17 additional new recruits). I've maintained my bass guitars for years too. When I saw this video my first thought was to steal a teflon washer from an old tuning machine in my supply of surplus stuff. Nothing wrong with Hipshot of course. Also, despite manufacturer's guidance, I install my strings (now using Thunderblacks thanks to you) by inserting the cut end down into the tuning machine and winding up the slack. That's how it's done on most bass guitars. It's worked fine for me and no string slipping. My acoustic-electric U-Bass is not as nice as the Kala instruments.
I ordered my own Pinky but in a teal colour; no sparkle in the finish. It arrives this week. You mentioned waiting a long time for Pinky to arrive. If I ordered mine direct, it would be a 3 to 4 month wait so I paid a little bit more at Amazon and the wait time is about 4 weeks.
Hi Andy, Thanks for your lovely comment. TBH I think if the way you fit strings work then there are no real issues. Hopefully your new bass has arrived? Pinky took so long because it was right at the start of Covid but did turn up eventually.
@@UkuleleWales Yes, it arrived one day earlier than promised. I adjusted the relief then changed to my Thunderblacks. I swapped the tuning machines from my a-e Bass to the new solid body because the mechanical quality was better and smoother. I'm very happy with the new unit. My daughter (age 49) is going to start learning ukulele on line so I gave her the link to your lessons. Another friend of mine, a music teacher and guitar/bass player said "if I were in a ukulele band, Rachel would be my bass player". Cheers!
BTW, the new solid body arrived with the strings inserted down into the centre of the tuning machines, the way I prefer. There's no right or wrong about all of that, I know.
I to fit the strings the traditional bass way. It saves a lot of faff. Ì just make sure I don't crop them to short
This comes at great time for me. I'm having issues on my hadean bass ukulele and will have to replace at least one tuner. Thank you for the great and easy to follow instructions.
Glad to be helping Shirl. They do often sell the tuners seperately, I know they do on the Kala website. Just make sure you get one for the correct side. Which of your has issues? I'm guessing the A or E string.
@@UkuleleWales You are absolutely correct, it is the E string. I have seen the Hipshot tuners for sale individually but I haven't seen a set sold together. And thank you, I will make sure to get one for the E/A side. Fortunately, I got a 2nd u-bass to get me through. Even though I have several ukuleles, I must have my u-bass too!
Thanks Rachel. I would change all my Machine Heads for Hipshot Machine Heads if I could somewhere in the UK where I could purchase them.
That is definitely the long term plan Gary. It was interesting reading your FB comments about the Kala truss rod issue. I've been planning on talking about the lack of California ubasses for a while and that does all make sense. Having said that, my Nik West has round wounds and no truss rod but no issues so far. I did buy it direct from Kala and they haven't told me to stop using them............. we'll see.
Thank you so much, I found another cheaper brand set of four to replace one that had chewed up gears. Thanks for this video. I was able to switch it out and it fit on my Carmel brand Bass
Glad to have helped.
Well done you, I usually end up reaming out the hole to the next size!!!
Thanks Peter, I was so happy when I realised there would be no drilling involved. I was prepared to drill if necessary but didn't even have to alter the small screw hole.
Thanks again for another great video. Hip shots are definitely quality tuners. Both my U-Basses have them along with one of my Bill Wyman bass guitars. Well worth replacing cheaper tuners. Thanks again, stay safe and well.
Totally agree Michael, I didn't really want to replace with more cheap tuners so very glad I got the Hipshots and fitted with no modifications so very happy. Thanks as always for all you fab support, you take care.
will hipshots fit on a donner uke bass?
Hi Rachel. I enjoyed your video. However, I can't seem to find these tuners. I tried to google what I thought you said they were called. Can you provide a link to a source. I've also looked at hipshots web page and can't find anything for the rubber strings. Thanks
I got these from the SOuthern Ukulele Store a while back - Hipshot “Road Toad” Custom Black Ukulele Machine Heads. They are out of stock at the moment but worth keeping an eye out for them. I’ll add a link in a moment - www.southernukulelestore.co.uk/hipshot-road-toad-custom-black-ukulele-bass-machine-heads-set-of-4/
Are hipshot tuners compatible with Donner uke basses?
Hi, I haven't tried them on a Donner as I don't have one but at a guess I would say yes. I think most of the cheaper tuners that are being used are the same, so I see no reason why the holes would be different.
I was wondering if the hipshot he6y bass xtender could be converted for u bass by swapping the capstan for a hb6y capstan?
Honest answer is I don’t know. I pretty sure I have tried a bass guitar hipshot in the past and just wasn’t quite the right size for the bass uke hence why I went with the Hipshot Road Toad customs. Might be worth asking on one of the bass forums as there are some very knowledgable folks on there. Next time I’m changing machines heads I try and check again. 👍
What is the model number of these tuners and can you order them from hipshot
Hi Daniel, they are the
Hipshot “Road Toad” Custom Black Ukulele Bass Machine Heads
I got them from Southern Ukulele Store but if you do a search you’ll also them in Bass Direct (UK) or Fred’s Guitar Parts (US). Hope that helps 👍
Awesome
Glad you enjoyed. 😊
That operation didn't look as easy as shooting from the hip even though the name of the machine head so suggested. The ones I used on my DIY electric tenor are intended for a base guitar. They are much easier to install than those Hipshots, but relatively big and heavy for a small instrument. I chose them because of the looks.
Thanks Olli, I did fiddle about quite a bit and made it look more difficult than it actually was I think. It's been ages since I've changed a tuner! ;-) Hope you are keeping well.
Those tuners look like a major improvement! BTW, I'm starting a new club: The I ❤️Pinky Fanclub! Want to join? LOL
They REALLY are a fantastic upgrade Jules. I wasn’t sure they would fit nut so glad I took the risk as they are much, much better. 👍
@@UkuleleWales Rach, do you know if the unbranded ones on my Kala acoustic-electric U-basses are actually unmarked Hipshots? It's hard to tell from your demo, so if you know or even have a guess, please share. Thanks!
Easiest way to tell Jules is the Hipshots don’t have the washers in between the tuning head bit (does that make sense) and the machine bit. If you look when I’m unwinding the E string you’ll see the wrecked middle bit turning around. The Hipshots are plain black right through. And there’s a mini ramble! 😂 And yes to the Pinky cult. 💞
@@UkuleleWales It does make sense! Thank you!👍🏻❤️😊