1980 short scale series 1

[adriaan]

Greg, the centered version (M4 90) might be the right substitute tuner for 70s Alembic basses.The price shown when I open your link is for 4 machines in gold finish, but is basically the same as for ...

... the M4 180, which has the tab in the regular location - see https://schaller.info/en/machine-heads/290/m4-180-light?c=53

[edwardofhuncote]

Thanks for the catch, Adriaan. I just remembered the email blast from a while back, couldn't remember which orientation. Those should work fine on Jazzyvee's 1980.

[jazzyvee]

They arrived today and it does not fit the existing headstock hole. The shaft diameter is larger but still fits into the hole from the back of the headstock but the collar that screws the tuner into place from the front is also a larger diameter so is too big to fit the hole and pull the two halves together.  So i am not sure whether i can get tuners to fit the existing hole and return these or open the hole with a reamer or something. The little screw on the back fits perfectly.  
https://schaller.info/en/machine-heads/290/m4-180-light?number=10300503.22.70

[rv_bass]

Jazzyvee, can you order replacements from Alembic? They would likely know the correct part to fit your bass.

[jazzyvee]

That is true but the cost including shipping to the UK, vat and duty would most likely make it a lot more expensive. I bought these direct from Schaller's web site as I couldn't find them the M4 -180's listed anywhere else.

[el8ed]

Did you try if the collars from your old tuners fit the new ones? Just a thought…
Such a lovely bass!

[jazzyvee]

I did but the whole unit is bigger so the original collar is too small to even fit over the new shaft. Hmm.

[el8ed]

Jazzy, I have the same M4s as you on my 1979 Koa SSB and comparing the measurements with the Schaller website it seems that they went from a 14mm “nut” on the collar to a 15mm. The string posts seem to be of a larger diameter too—probably a good thing. If everything else lines up it looks like widening the holes slightly would be your only choice. Seems a small (and invisible) price to pay for making the bass work well again. Just my $0.02 …

I am wondering if you would notice a difference with the new and lighter tuning machines in how the bass balances. Do you know the weight difference between old and new?
Cheers, Oliver

[jazzyvee]

I have a friend who runs his own carpentry business and i'm sure he has the right tools for the job,so i will see if i can get him to do the widening for me.

[dela217]

I hate to hijack here, but does anyone know for sure if the new Schalers that have the centered screw fit the older basses?   The M4 90?

[el8ed]

I have a friend who runs his own carpentry business and i'm sure he has the right tools for the job,so i will see if i can get him to do the widening for me.

That’s the spirit! 

[jazzyvee]

Well this bass has reached it's 41st trip round the sun and still has a great voice. It's had new pickups this year, frets dressed, new saddles cut and a setup, and soon will have new tuners.

[rv_bass]

That is such a beautiful bass.  I love the simple maple on mahogany look.  The burl looking headstock veneer is very nice as well 

[jazzyvee]

Usually i prefer darker woods on alembics but i love the way this one looks with really plain white maple with a matt finish too.

[jazzyvee]

I decided to play safe and hae dropped my bass to Jaydee Custom Guitars this afternoon to get the tuners replaced. They told me they use the same tuners as alembic and have had the same issue with schaller changing the shaft size and have had to open up the holes on a number of basses brought back to them for replacements. I should get it back in a few days time. :-)