Bass Tuners:Gotoh or Schaller?

[Mike B.]

So I recently got a nice Brown Bass and was wondering: what do you folks prefer, Gotoh or Schaller tuners (my bass came with gold Gotohs)?

Also, can I easily change the tuners on my bass to Schallers (I've always loved Schaller tuners)?

One final question: can I still purchase Schaller tuners directly from Alembic?

Thanks!

Mike

[edwardofhuncote]

Congratulations on your BB, Mike.


Schaller/Gotoh; I have both... they're both nice. Why would you change them? I'm thinking the peghole bore is a slightly different size... might be irreversible. Just make sure it's what you want.

[Mike B.]

I've always loved Schallers, but I could.easily leave the Gotohs in place, I guess!

Mike

[jazzyvee]

I bought some Schallers to replace the originals on my 1980 alembic and had to get them fitted by a luthier since they need a larger hole on the front of the headstock.
Reference thread link.
https://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=8329.msg271025#msg271025

[gearhed289]

I've found Schallers a little more durable over time. The nylon bushings on the Gotohs sometimes end up breaking. They're close, but given a choice, definitely Schaller for me.

[mica]

I like the Gotohs. While the replaceable nylon washers can give out - the gear is steel and has more teeth so the tuner tends to last longer. But they are both fine. Use whichever you prefer!

In addition to the bore being different, the anchor screws are often in different places - some Schallers have the anchor to the bottom, but the standard M4 has it toward the center of the peghead.

[Mike B.]

Do you still sell the Schallers, Mica?

[mica]

It's probably best to order yourself. Since I buy onsie-twosie as needed for custom builds, so all I would be is a delay.

[Mike B.]

Thanks, Mica. Which  model Schallers were the ones you would use when "building" a bass?

Mike

[mica]

We use whichever ones the customer asks for - I don't really have a recommended model. When we used Schallers as the default we used the M4 tuner, but the anchor screw in the current model does not match the anchor screw of the Gotohs. Sorry I'm not much help! But hopefully some members with more recent Schaller experience can help.

[edwardofhuncote]

You might try to cross-reference these Mike.


https://schaller.info/en/machine-heads/292/m4-90-light?number=10540501.22.70


I believe the pegholes would need to be reamed, but I'd be willing to bet the mounting screw hole lined up with the Gotoh pattern.

[Mike B.]

Thank you, Edward!

And thank you, Mica!