How To Fix Loose Bass Guitar Tuners

Machineheads often wear out when the bushes start to lift up in the headstock. I use Titebond Original to prevent this happening again. You can also use a CA, like Super Glue or Krazy Glue.
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[@bs15099]

I have had this problem on one of my guitars for so long.... thx man nice vid

[@catboyzee]

Great tip. Gonna try this with my J Bass copy that has a couple of loosie goosie tuning keys...thanks for posting.

[@michael_caz_nyc]

I hit like . . . Really great info here. (as a guitar-player) I am new to Bass, so I'm trying to Learn all-that-I can. I just purchased a Sterling Stingray SS-4 and a Fender Rumble 100 = love em both.

[@eliakuiper4266]

Great stuff, very informative. Doing a Harley Benton diy bass and the bushings are loose. With this help I hope to fix them up.

[@RobMods]

Nice one. I'm glad this helps. A little smear of grease on the post where it rubs on the bushing will help as well.

[@paulevans4334]

Just bought a squire vintage modified V from eBay and most of the bushings are popping out. So glad I came across this channel, and there's a few frets that are buzzing too. Just watched your video on that and I already have a fret file on the way.

[@stoutlager6325]

I like to use small ratchet clamps to press the ferrules in. Less awkward than trying to position the headstock in to the jaws of a vise without accidentally bumping something you don't want to bump.

[@oleksandrnovakov4295]

Thanks for the video! Clearly and well explained!

[@RobMods]

Glad it was helpful mate.

[@user-wy9xw1hq6p]

Life saver

[@matthewhallburn692]

What kind of grease are you putting on the posts?

[@danjo7398]

Hi rob I’ve only recently discovered and subscribed to your channel. Love your videos, I’m a hobby electronics tinkerer I build pedals, wiring harnesses, wind pickups ect. I’ve learned a lot from your videos In a short time so thanks and keep up the good work. P.S what usb oscilloscope do you use? I’ve heard bad things about the software for those things but yours looks pretty good.

[@RobMods]

Hi Daniel. Thanks for the kind words. It's a "Syscomp Circuit Gear". I believe it is no longer made, but the company still exists, and has more current products. It's ideal for the hobbyist. Mine has been quite reliable...

[@danjo7398]

Rob Mods. Thanks for the reply. That’s good to know! I’ll check synscop out. By the way I notice in your intro video that there is a clip of you spraying a pedal enclosure green but I can’t seem to find a video of you working on pedals. Are you plan some pedal videos for the future ?

[@RobMods]

@@danjo7398 Hi mate. Yep, pedal mods and builds are planned... Cheers!

[@DonFonzarelli-uq9yx]

Ive got a cheap ibanez electric guitar, and when the strings are off if i touch the posts they flop around. Im guessing its more than an easy fix, will be better to replace? On the b string makes a clunk when tightening string, and it is not the nut ping sound. It is litterally like clunk sound.

[@mimmomarfz]

Hey Rob, love your channel, very interesting and helpful content! I have a question: would Gorilla wood glue work for this job?

[@RobMods]

I've never used Gorilla wood glue. I've only recently seen it in Australia. I've asked around, and I believe it is a modified PVA, so I guess it would be OK. I like that Titebond dries hard and sort of brittle. It is also fairly easy to soften with heat. If the Gorilla wood glue ticks those two boxes, then go for it. (FWIW definitely don't use Gorilla polyurethane glue - the amber coloured stuff.)

[@mimmomarfz]

@@RobMods thanks very helpful!

[@jtsbasscovers4171]

A few of my tuning posts are loose. I can’t seem to figure out a easy way to tighten them so I guess I just need to replace?

[@JT40_]

Hey Rob, do you know how to adjust a loosen warwick bass tuner? The screw you are tightening there is not visible. Are you based in Sydney?

[@RobMods]

Do you mean it's enclosed? A gotoh style tuner? If the string post is wobbly or loose with these, there's nothing you can do. They do have a screw like this inside, holding the gear on, but you would destroy it to get the cover off. I believe you'll have to replace it I'm afraid. I'm in Melb. Cheers...

[@SouthernxLord]

IS this a common problem in all levels of basses/guitars? Cause it happens to mine and I was wondering if I'm stringing wrong or something for this to happen?

[@RobMods]

Yep, I've seen it on most basses that have press fit tuner bushings..

[@Sean_thompson_bass]

I don't have any loctite, do you think a drop of gorilla glue or super glue would be alright for the screw in the middle of the tuner?

[@RobMods]

Hi Sean, I'd recommend against using anything other than light or medium duty loctite in this case. You don't want to glue the screw in place. You still need it to be adjustable.

[@kostischaveles]

Hello and wish a happy new year! i have a question if you don't mind. Just got my new Schaller machine heads for my bass and the new bushings are a bit smaller in diameter than the old ones. I have the same wood glue but i guess i will have to add a lot. Do you think it will work? what if i add some electrical tape so to fill the gaps? thank you ;)

[@RobMods]

I wouldn't rely on the glue to fill the gaps. I'd probably fill and redrill the holes, or use a set of machine heads that have threaded bushings that you can tighten down from the top.

[@kostischaveles]

@@RobMods Thank you ;)

[@Andersbrinchp]

I have this problem with my Schallers too, how did you fit the bushings? 😊

[@stevenordstedt2535]

How long does it take for the glue to dry?

[@stevenordstedt2535]

You’d think after spending $2.300 on a German Sandberg Bass. Even though it’s 14 years old. They’d have better tuners. Like Hip Shot, That don’t have a ring that just works it self loose. I watched your video on how to glue it in place. Just hope it holds after 12 hours of cure time. Cheap Bastards!

[@RobMods]

Yeah that is strange. When I used to build guitars, I always used tuners with threaded bushings. There's so many tuners on the market, there's no reason not to I reckon. Press-fit bushings will almost always loosen over time, due to the timber and/or the lacquer shrinking back. I've seen a few new basses in the last few years where they have placed a couple of drops of super glue on the bushings from behind (inside the hole) from new, I guess as a bit of insurance against them lifting. Also, manufacturers never lubricate the string posts. I'm not sure why. I use a tiny smear of grease where they rub on the inside of the bushings (both press fit or threaded) whenever I set up a guitar. Some lube there will also go a long way to keeping those bushings in place. Cheers!

[@adr1ana1000]

Life saver