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USA Ultralite® Bass Tuning Machine 1/2"
Description
Any sore shouldered bassist can tell you that fighting "neck dive" from a poorly balanced instrument is akin to slow torture. Our Ultralite® bass tuning machines are designed and manufactured to lighten up the load while improving ruggedness and accuracy. Spend more time on stage, not at the chiropractor.Solid machined aircraft grade aluminum housing gives you high durability in an extremely light package.
Small footprint easily installs on tiny headstocks.
20:1 gear ratio
Firsthand experiences
Comments from forums and Reddit
Discussed in SG & EB Bass Club in the TalkBass community
dmt
To alleviate neck dive, I lightened the headstock by swapping out the stock tuners for a set of Hipshot Ultralite tuners, of which I chose the short Y key style (the short Y key ... ... more
SubHuman
Pretty resourceful little fix! I usually just wear a wide leather strap so not usually an issue. Of course I have played mine since '72 so maybe I'm just used to any dive! Still ... ... more
dmt
Assuming there was no spec change between 2006 and 2014 (the year of my SG bass), you'll want the 1/2" set. Specifically, I used these, Short Y Key, chrome (2 bass side, 2 treble ... ... more
Discussed in White PJ Bass (Fender, USACG, EMG, Babicz, Hipshot) in the TalkBass community
mysteryclock
Up for sale here is a custom 4-string PJ bass, made with the following parts: - Genuine Fender body (white) - USA Custom Guitars (USACG) neck - Roasted quartersawn maple construction - Pau ferro fingerboard - 1.5" Jazz bass width - "The 62" profile, 12" radius - EVO Gold 6150 frets - Brass nut - Luminlay inlays - Hipshot ... ... more
Discussed in Custom Holo Flake Sklar-style Precision Bass (Warmoth, USACG, EMG, Babicz) in the TalkBass community
mysteryclock
Up for sale here is custom Holo Flake Lee Sklar-style Precision bass, made from: - Warmoth roasted alder P-bass body- Custom Holo Flake finish- USA Custom Guitars roasted quarter-sawn ... ... more
Discussed in no clue what size tuner pegs to buy...please help! in the TalkBass community
Beej
You want 1/2" - their specs are in the attachments on this page: USA Ultralite® Bass Tuning Machine 1/2 I've heard that sometimes Moses necks have needed a little filing of the hole, but cross that bridge when you get there. :D :thumbsup: ... more
mb94952
Thank you !!!! I went ahead and ordered the 1/2" UL's !!! With the Drop D extender !!! ... more
Discussed in Custom Sunburst Fretless Precision Bass (Fender, USACG, Nordstrand, Hipshot) in the TalkBass community
mysteryclock
Custom Sunburst Fretless Precision Bass (Fender, USACG, Nordstrand, Hipshot) Up for sale here is custom Brown Sunburst Precision-style fretless bass, made from: - Genuine Fender ... ... more
Discussed in Custom Black Precision Bass (Fender, USACG, Nordstrand, Hipshot) in the TalkBass community
mysteryclock
Up for sale here is custom Black Precision-style bass, made from: - Genuine Fender MIM alder body- Genuine Fender '57 Reissue Gold Anodized Precision pickguard - USA Custom Guitars ... ... more
Discussed in Squier Standard P Bass Special Family in the TalkBass community
Lee Kirkham
Just my advice here... The tuners should be the #1 upgrade as they are the weakest component of these basses. And whether it's the HB7 or the Ultralites, you can't miss with HipShot ... ... more
obieito
I will take your advice in account. Really the only two things that were not ok with the bass when I got it (very badly protected for shipping, thank god our mail people were kind!) ... ... more
Discussed in Nate Mendel Tuners Swap in the TalkBass community
96tbird
The HB2 IS NOT ULTRALIGHT. I REPEAT, IS NOT ULTRALIGHT. THEY ARE FULL WEIGHT. In fact, hb2 is likely slightly heavier since the shaft mounts into two steel blocks (pillow block "bearings") that your Nate tuners don't have. Ultralights have small "bodies" not big flat plates with huge gears. These are ULTRLIGHT. USA Ultralite® ... ... more
sissy kathy
I'm under the impression that a weight savings of about 25% can be realized because of the material Hipshots are made from, an aluminum alloy, but that the ultralights will save you even more weight, close to 50%. Is my mind going as well as my body? ... more
Discussed in Tony Franklin Signature Bass Club in the TalkBass community
Joshua
So I reached out to Hipshot and am told that these are the bad boys I need: USA Ultralite® Bass Tuning Machine 1/2USA Ultralite™ Bass Xtender 1/2 But they require drilling a single ... ... more
AmazingMumford
Please let us know the results if you do. The single holes for the Ultralites should be covered by the original plates if they're ever swapped back in, so it should be a non-issue ... ... more
Discussed in Fender Aerodyne Club! in the TalkBass community
Corrington
What kinds of upgrades have you guys done to your Aerodynes? I recently purchased the following parts: * Hipshot 5K400 KickAss Bridge * Hipshot Ultralite tuners (to help with the neck dive) * EMG GZR PJ set * Bourns 500k pots for the volume controls * Switchcraft 1/4" output jack * La Bella LTF-4A Low-Tension Flats 42-100 ... ... more
Malak the Mad
Of all my basses, my Aerodyne has the least amount of mods done to it. All I've done is add a Hipshot BT10 Drop-D tuner and experiment with different strings. If memory serves correct, it's currently wearing a set of .040-.100 Rotosound Nexus black-coated strings. I really lucked out with mine! I've never felt the need ... ... more
Discussed in J bass p/u for a passive Geddy in the TalkBass community
BlueTalon
Hipshot makes ultralight tuners. They even have some made for them under license that are less expensive. If you replace the tuners with ultralights, you could have a matching extender and probably have a net savings in weight. But then you'd have some extra screw holes in the back of your headstock. ... more
Discussed in Hipshot Transtone Bridge & Hipshot LIC Ultralites (2x2 Chrome) in the TalkBass community
PRS-Man23
Hey all, Looking to swap my hardware out from Chrome to Gold.... Both the Bridge & Tuners are in near mint, like new condition. No scratches or dings etc. Here are the specs! Hipshot ... ... more
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