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Post subject: Is there a difference in American vs MIM tuning machines?
Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2011 10:47 am
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Hi, I have a new MIM P bass that I really love and was wondering about the differences between it and an American made one. I also have a MIM J bass as well with the newer C shaped neck that I really like but I am interested in what else makes the Amercan made bass better. Are there a difference in tuning machines? I know the American has the strings fed through the body, is this much better than traditional bridges? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I will spend the extra money once I know what I will get for it.

Don


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Post subject: Re: Is there a difference in American vs MIM tuning machines
Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2011 12:19 pm
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I own both an American and a Mexican P-Bass. There is a difference in the tuners, the American ones are much lighter and are "smoother" to turn. I haven't had any problems with the MIM, though, but the american hardware feels and looks much sturdier.


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Post subject: Re: Is there a difference in American vs MIM tuning machines
Posted: Wed Feb 09, 2011 2:28 am
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They look like pretty solid tuners to me, just like the ones on my Squier, both modelled after the original Fender tuners as they were more or less for about 50 years. Didn't hear a lot of complaints about those.

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Post subject: Re: Is there a difference in American vs MIM tuning machines
Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2011 6:53 am
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Both of MIM basses hold their tune from day to day very well, if they are out, all four strings are out by about the same amount indicating a neck change probably from temperature change. I do notice a bit of mushyness around the on tune point though, if I go a bit sharp then it takes about a quarter turn before a noticable change happens and then it takes a smaller not linear amount of change to pull it back in. I have put graphite on the nut and I pull the string a little sometimes to pull it down from being a tiny bit sharp so I know there is some play in it. I was wondering if the American made ones are more precise?


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Post subject: Re: Is there a difference in American vs MIM tuning machines
Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2011 3:27 pm
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The tuners you pictured are Schaller made tuners commonly used on USA basses.

The MIM Fender tuners are of a much lesser quality and will feel very different to anyone when restringing or tuning a bass that has them.

You may have a Mexican bass with upgraded tuners since you seem to think all Mexi basses have Schallers, They do not.

Unfortunately the new American Special Jazz bass has down graded tuners also. They are not the same quality and will not last as long as good Schaller tuners which are also branded Fender BTW.

Hip shots are not used on most Fender USA basses AFAIK. They are an after-market tuner often used on high dollar basses,because they are light in weight and of good quality.

You will probably not hear a big difference in tone if you upgrade your tuning machines.
It may be a better investment for you to put the money that you would spend on new tuners towards a USA made Fender bass and that way you will get the whole package upgraded from your Mexican bass. Its your decision and there are many different opinions on this. The final choice is what makes you happy. If you love everything about your current bass other than the tuners, than replace them, but keep the old ones in case you sell the bass, because you will not increase the value of the bass with new tuners.


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Post subject: Re: Is there a difference in American vs MIM tuning machines
Posted: Fri Feb 11, 2011 8:20 am
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I think my primary concern was that there is a level of mushiness at the tuning point where I constanlty go from flat to sharp and then there seems to be a larger turn required to go back down and then the first couple of tweaks back up do nothing and I have to go up further to get the tuning to move. I was wondering if the MIA tuning machines might have a finer tooth ratio and responded better?

I don't think I ever thought there might be a differnce in tone by either one. I am fairly new to playing bass as I have been a keyboard player all my life but I really like the dynamics of bass and am having a lot of fun with it. I assume there is a reason for differnt tuning machines on the MIA and would like to know what it is? Its not a big deal, once I get my MIM P bass in tune I don't worry about it anymore.

Thanks for all the great responses, its nice to have access to other Fender lovers.


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Post subject: Re: Is there a difference in American vs MIM tuning machines
Posted: Sat Feb 12, 2011 10:57 am
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The older American Deluxes had Schaller tuners until 2006. Fender used Hipshot Ultralites until their discontinuation in 2010. The current series uses Fender Lightweight tuners.


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