OffsetGuitars.com

My first post here, so hello everyone.

I got a worn 1963 Fender Bass VI, Sunburst. However I think the tuners might be unoriginal. Shouldnt they say "Kluson" on the back, like the kluson tuners on my 1960 Jazzmaster?

Thanks a million!

Show me the front of the tuners.. I'll soon be able to tell you if they are original or not.

Here you go



Thanks!

Here is a pic together with my 1960 jazzmaster (in front)
They say "kluson deluxe" wich as far as I can find out was used on VI's 62-64...

Close up, no "kluson deluxe" writing...

Hi no...they are definitely not original.

Forgetting whether of not they are made by kluson...(which I'm 90% sure they are not)...they are 100% not Fender VI tuners, they are copies of Fender guitars ones...Fender Bass VI tuners have a different post, the post is straight without a tapered 'waist' like you see on Fender guitars. The slot on VI specific ones are also cut wider to accept bass strings better... the reason they have the straight waist rather than the tapered waist is to strengthen the post for bass strings and also decrease the bend radius applied to the strings.

Good info eggwheat, didn't know about those differences.

Aha... Thank for the superb info, eggwheat!

So, anyone got a set of 60's Bass VI tuners laying around?

Not easy to find I can imagine...

Let me know if you see or hear anything about selling 60's fender bass VI tuners

Heres a pic of my two offsets, 63 Bass VI, 60 Jazzer

Hey, no prob. looks like a lovely VI...

I've never seen a set of original VI tuners for sale..ever. You're only hope is someone parting a VI out or you happen to stumble on some mis-labled ones on eBay...

The annoying thing is I bet there was nothing really wrong with the originals..and they got chucked in the bin or are sitting in a draw somewhere..

I can't imagine someone replacing good working tuners with ones that are probably not better at all.nice pair of guitars btw.

Regardless, great instrument there!

JoeySlush wrote:I can't imagine someone replacing good working tuners with ones that are probably not better at all.

Happens all the time. Hence the horrific 'improved' examples we constantly see on eBay etc

I even did it myself when I was a teen and didn't know any better..took some nasty old rusty klusons off and replaced them..I was pleased with myself 'fixing' it up.

Admittedly you do sometimes see more wear on the 'gears' inside Fender VI klusons that can cause a bit of slippage...which the over excitable repair man might then think he's doing good by replacing them..never come across a set that have been unusable though.

Yes, its a strange one.

Here is a pic of the original owner with the VI



Here is a pic a year or so later, it now looks to have only four strings. The nut looks to be original and looking on this pic it looks like he just put four strings on it