Opinions - best tuning gears?

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by JoeyNaeger

Does anyone have any experience with the tuners sold by gallery strings? They have a large selection and most can be used with blind holes.

http://www.gallerystrings.com/access...eads/index.htm

I have had two basses with gears that were put on new basses when they were made. They worked great.

[Matthew Tucker]

They look lovely on the website, but when I contacted them, some time ago, i was given the impression that not all the models shown are available. I don't imagine turnover is very quick, so they probably make on order. I may be wrong.

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Matthew Tucker

They look lovely on the website, but when I contacted them, some time ago, i was given the impression that not all the models shown are available. I don't imagine turnover is very quick, so they probably make on order. I may be wrong.

I doubt that they 'make' the gears or does almost anyone else that 'sells' gears. Usually, the 'have them made' and sell their 'branded' gears.

This is what I believe personally.

When Arnold was making my bass, he called them for a particular gear and found only one or two styles were available, period. I don't know if that was going to change down the road but, now IS down the road and you received a similar reply.

So, if they have what you like, buy them. The other choice for similar looking gears are from Martyn Bailey. I don't know who or how his are made but I am sure coming from him, they will be at least as good.

I have these gears coming in from Hungary on basses made for me or old basses restored there that need gears. They work 'ok' and need a bit of going over to be smoothed out. I am not 100% where they are made. Either in eastern Europe or China in my guess. Maybe, I will bring some sets in but I have yet to even ask for prices for just the gears. I am just happy to see them on the basses.

[JoeyNaeger]

Okay, thanks for the input. Those look quite nice Ken. I got a cheap vibe from the website, but maybe that's from the low res photos. That's unfortunate they don't stock all the models, but that's not surprising honestly. The Martyn Bailey tuners are gorgeous, but I'm not really hip with drilling through holes. I do however like that you can adjust length of the worm gear shaft. I guess I'd like to see the two designs combined.

[Matthew Tucker]

What have you got against tuners that go all the way through?

[JoeyNaeger]

Structurally inferior...doesn't look as nice... I guess it's okay, but I don't think it's the best way to do it.

[Matthew Tucker]

contact michael abarientos in the phillipines. his tuners are nicely made, if a bit heavy. i use on my basses and very happy. the price is right too at around $300 a set. He supplies to Kolsteins i'm pretty sure.