Sire Tuning Machine Upgrade! 1/2" Hipshot Ultralites in our V7 Vintage! - LowEndLobster Fresh Look

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Reuploaded with reduced hum! Sorry for my mic audio! My mic extension cable is failing and caused a huge amount of hum. The denoiser muffles my voice a bit.
Hey everyone! Today we're going to go over the process of upgrading your stock Sire tuning machines (or any tuners really) with Hipshot Ultralite licensed tuners. One of my biggest gripes with the stock Sire tuning machines is that they add so much weight to the headstock and negatively impact balance. This upgrade will reduce the weight at the headstock by over 1/4 lb! Let's go over the process step by step!
Hipshot Ultralite Tuners (the config used for this video): hipshotproduct...
NOTE: USA 1/2" Ultralites come with the appropriate bushings with the 11/16" (17.5mm) where the imports come with 16mm bushings. This video is using the IMPORT ultralites with the 16mm bushings. You won't need to use tape with the USA 1/2" Ultralites
This bass and all my other basses with rounds are strung with MJC Ironworks Nickel Plated Stainless Steel 45-105(125) unless otherwise noted. Check them out at www.mjcironworks.com
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[@50beowulf]

It would be great if Hipshot offered various adapter bushings as a separate part. Another option could be a plastic adapter bushing to go over the hipshot bushing. That could be easily 3d printed as well.

[@jeffreyyeh9589]

Just installed hipshot light weight tuners on my SBMM Ray5. The tape hack worked great! No more neck dive.

[@LowEndLobster]

Congrats!

[@shawn9773]

Ingenious move using the painter's tape to sag the bushings up. Thank you. I have a G&L Tribute JB2 that I am getting ready to change the tuners to Hipshot. Very helpful content.

[@johnnybassman5997]

Thanks for the tutorial. I just put the Hipshot USA 1/2" Ultralites (Y Key) on my new V5. Big difference in weight, and tuning accuracy. One thing to note. I bought the USAs thinking it would be an exact fit, (17.5mm) but still a tiny bit small. I think the Sire V5 tuners are 18mm hole. A couple of wraps with the painter's tape and good to go.

[@LowEndLobster]

You're welcome! Glad it worked for you, and thanks for the info on the USA's!

[@olymoon2008]

@Johnny BassMan Thank you, very important information.

[@marunikusbakufu]

I give you tremendous credit for trying to use metric!

[@LowEndLobster]

Thank you!

[@marunikusbakufu]

@@LowEndLobster I grew up with metric. I can't think very well in the old imperial measurement system!

[@jiminyfingers9973]

Totally planned on doing that when I get mine. This was very helpful and I'm so surprised that this video came out right when I was planning on buying one those basses. Thank you.

[@LowEndLobster]

Awesome! Glad you found it helpful.

[@PushSueAside]

Now it’s back..... Anyway, your “holes are bare” face made me choke laugh. Also you have a great “mad scientist” look, when wrapping the tape. I don’t feel so bad in my mods/repairs anymore. I’ve used the “make it work” method for years. Yes I will be doing this one as well.

[@LowEndLobster]

Thank you Tommy! I got a haircut the other day and had em leave the floof. Going to embrace the mad scientist look ;P.

[@PushSueAside]

@@LowEndLobster Brilliant l!!!! I back your decision!

[@rodneyfritz3461]

Just put USA 1/2" Ultralite Lollipops on my P7 5-string. They didn't have clover keys in stock. After waiting a week, I found out these keys were still in fabrication. Since I waited they threw in 18 mm bushings (which fit perfectly). I asked if they had Lollipops and they said yes! The balance is perfect now. I love the Lollipops!!!

[@LowEndLobster]

Nice!

[@tdub8986]

Thanks for the demo. I never swapped tuners yet, so its helpful. Please check out Retro-Vibe, UK, in case you have not heard of them. They have a 30 or 32" Telenbacker. Soooooo cool. only like $350 Euro of LB, I forger. He builds to order and has some inventory makes pick ups and has a preamp that is said to be a clone of the 77 or 76 MM preamp, like that Tone Monster (i think it was in the Old Smoothie). Would love to see a head to head against the two of those pre-amps to see if there is a big difference, or if they just both nailed them. But the Telenbacker, (no explanation necessary, I hope). I would be so stoked to see you reviewing one soon

[@LowEndLobster]

Hey Toby! We absolutely will!

[@jimilee8979]

NEVER MIND I READ ALL THE COMMENTS...... SUPER VIDEO ......LANGOSTA

[@JackieTheCatfox]

About the compatibility issue: I've noticed in the Hipshot website that the 1/2" Ultralite tuners are different if you buy the USA Ultralites vs the Licensed Ultralites. According to the website, the USA Ultralites fit a 11/16" hole (17.5 mm in metric), whereas the Licensed Ultralites fit a 41/64" hole (a little over 16 mm in metric). I don't know why there's such a drastic difference between the two (yes, a 1.5 mm difference is drastic in this context). For some reason, this difference isn't present in the 3/8" version, which they claim fit a 9/16" hole (a bit over 14 mm) in both versions. The USA tuners are much more expensive than the Licensed tuners (almost double the price in the 1/2" version, more than double the price in the 3/8" version).

[@James-g3l1u]

Hipshot offers larger bushings on the website 18mm read the fine print

[@mikegordon7040]

Lobster I got some pretty terrible news today. Doc says I have cancer. Somewhere around my butt area. Says only cure is a headless Ibanez bass, complimentary of course. Said it didn’t have to be multiscaled but said it’s a must. I can’t argue with him, I didn’t go doctor college. I’ll be ripping buds with Bernie and Phillip soon!

[@sueblue8818]

Sounds serious Give this dude a bass ASAP

[@mikegordon7040]

Guess I’ll be in the NICU in no time. I’ll meet you when you see me :(

[@LowEndLobster]

Wishing you quality, comfort, and price. May it be nice.

[@mikegordon7040]

@@LowEndLobster 💀💀👻

[@jasondoe2596]

Another very helpful video! A quarter pound (~115 grams for us non-Americans, thank you Google) is an insignificant amount of weight... Until you put it at the end of a lever the size of a freakin' bass neck :) "Give me a place to stand, and I shall move the world." -Archimedes

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Jason! Right?! I've done this to 3/4 of my Sire squad with the 'vintage' tuners (P10, V5, V7, with the U5 still needing a set installed) and I'm always astonished with the huge balance difference.

[@BoomChockolaca]

4 x 115 = almost half of a kilo, more then 10% weight of a bass. So I'd say that's a lot! :)

[@hervésitruk]

For upgrade pickups, is it alnico magnet ? For bridge, you must percing another hole and choice one with trow the body ? I think the stock bridge ls enough, you don't need change it. Thank's

[@hervésitruk]

How Can you Mask the 4 hole off old tuners, you don't tell about that, the smoler new tuner have one screw, the old one have four screws and you can see the 4 hole around. How Can you Mask it ? Thank's😊

[@JS_bass]

Hi, I am near to buy a new P5, and would like to change the tuners too...wich ones do you recommend to me? the Hipshots ultralight licensed? those are the same that fit the Lakland Skylines? they would be great to me , thanks in advance...

[@TrollingstonJohn]

Finally! A great video on how to make this process happen! One thing I have to ask, how do you decide how to align the tuners? Is there a good process you follow to make sure they’re not tilted or wonky looking? Let me know!

[@LowEndLobster]

Great question! I use the stock holes as a guide and try to position the new hole right between the two bodyward holes for each tuner

[@iknNR]

Perfect video! Informative and funny :D ...So the usa ultralites would fit without adding the tape? Did anybody try it?

[@LowEndLobster]

It appears so! The USA ones use 11/16th (17.5mm) bushings where the imports use 16mm. I will add that to the description.

[@armani077cc3]

OMG Lobster, you are Funny as hell ( 6.25). I'm going to attempt this.

[@budduggly7781]

Perfect timing with this video, as far as I'm concerned. I've been wanting to get more opinions on tuning machines.

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Budd! Honestly, these make such an improvement on instruments with heavy tuning machines. A quarter pound of weight savings off of the headstock! A must-do IMO! :)

[@dancassidy7471]

I need ultra lites for my Sire 5 string P7..Which ones do I need? Thanks!

[@giannisskokos]

Great info Lobster! I think I would like having seen and listened you tunning with the stock tuners first and then with the new, and tell us how different it felt and explain us what is the element that adds pricision in the tuners... Bad tuners are nerve-racking and great waste of time... Thank you again!

[@Tull1996]

Are light weight tuners any more likely to break or have issues with tuning stability over time?

[@LowEndLobster]

No, they're VERY high quality with extremely low manufacturing tolerances. Everything fits like a glove and is very robust!

[@miguelfernandes333]

doesn't hipshot offer two different tunner hole sizes? which ones did you use?

[@LowEndLobster]

1/2", just updated the title!

[@warburgaby]

the only defect of the Sire basses is the neck diving

[@olymoon2008]

Thank you very much for this video. I have 2 questions though, given that you wrote in the description that hipshot USA 1/2" do not need the tape trick. Questions are: 1. will the 1/2 lighten the neck dive as much as the ones you used? 2. Could you please give a direct link to each hipshot lite tuners? I live in Europe and need the exact part numbers. Thanks in advance for your answer.

[@riccardosantia5996]

Thanks Lobster. If you had to choose, between Grover or hipshot, also looking for light weight. Which one do you prefer?

[@LowEndLobster]

Great question Riccardo! I prefer the Hipshots only because they're familiar to me, haven't really tried any of the Grovers.

[@riccardosantia5996]

@@LowEndLobster thanks my man, will try them on my new build.

[@maxogesten6928]

GREAT VIDEO! What happens if you try to use the old bushings?

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Max! Great question! The Hipshot bushings are threaded so they screw into the tuner itself to secure it to the headstock with some clamping force. The stock tuners are only secured with the screws on the back of the headstock, and the bushings are for alignment only.

[@maxogesten6928]

@@LowEndLobster Thank's (or Tack in Swedish).

[@Cheloo95ful]

Where dis you find the bridge replacement? Or what hipshot replacement bridge do you recommend? I’ve been looking for it please Lobster

[@LowEndLobster]

Heyo! Checkout Albridge from Amp Shop Bass Exchange as they usually stock drop in replacements like what you see on my V7. Otherwise, hipshot is a great option but you'll have to drill

[@davidrios8408]

Mr Lobster, what’s the shaft length in a V7?

[@6minus3minus2]

Gotoh tuners have 17.6mm bushings, so they should work just fine with Sires. The Gotoh res-o-lites are high quality and just as light at the Hipshots. I put them on a bass of mine and it cut my neck dive in half.

[@LowEndLobster]

Indeed! I've switched to the Gotohs for a lot of my mod projects because they're easier to source and are a drop in fit for the sires! Love em! I have a mod project coming Thursday that will feature Gotoh tuners and bridge on a sire :)

[@6minus3minus2]

@@LowEndLobster Looking forward to it! Love the mod projects!

[@oniinside123]

"be sure to stay tuned... for tuners"

[@LowEndLobster]

You are not wrong ;P

[@RoadKing-ky2bs]

Lobster: when you compare weight of new tuners to a burger 🍔 really reveals your "foodie" side that was just waiting to bubble to the top. LMAO 🤣. Great video my friend, even the Village Idiot such as myself finds an opportunity to learn something new! Cheers! Patrick

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Patrick :) Hipshots and hamburgers ;P

[@RoadKing-ky2bs]

@@LowEndLobster maybe the start of a new band ! 😅🤣😅

[@donhall-aquitania1025]

Hi Lobster, would you use these on a Sterling Ray 24? Is it the 1/2” size?

[@LowEndLobster]

Yup!

[@TSBASSIST]

I really appreciate that you made this video. Super helpful! Do you happen to have a link to the replacement bridge you installed on this bass?

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Nick! It looks like they're out of the 4 string model, but they have the 5 string one that I put on my P10. Here's the link to their store page- www.ampshopbassexchange.com/accessories-2/

[@HunterErwinMusic]

Great video thanks Can you tell me what size or model needed for a Ray 35 ? Thanks I can’t find info anyplace

[@pimcramer2569]

Would have thought your fujigen is you favourite. Why do you like your sir more?

[@LowEndLobster]

As far as a 'traditional' J goes, my V7 vintage w/ all the mods really shines. It nails the 'Marcus' vibe, is really responsive, and gets the tones that I want. My FGN Mighty Jazz and Neo Classic J are both amazing, but the Mighty Jazz is a different less vintagey style of instrument, and Geddyzilla is great for Rush stuff (I have it setup to get 'that' tone a bit more on that bass).... but this Sire with the mods just does what I want.

[@Jihadbearzwithgunz]

Going with gotoh gb707s on my spector Rebop 5 dlx zebrawood and some gotoh gb7s for my old spector q4 pro that has a hipshot gb7 extender on it replacing the Korean made jin ho gotoh clones basically. Perfect timing on this video.

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Josh! Dude I have a set of black hipshots for my Eurobolt... but the stock tuners use a 1/2" tuner hole and the hipshots are 9/16"!... Drill bit comes Sunday ;P... I'm nervous

[@Jihadbearzwithgunz]

@@LowEndLobster take it slow and you'll get it

[@jimilee8979]

Hey Lobster ..Great video.... I have a Gibson 2007 SG Supreme Will these work I'm looking at the Y 1/2 inch USA or Korean Is there really much of a difference in the two ? thanks

[@michaelblaney4461]

Lobster I guess the unfilled holes would drive me nuts after awhile 😵 😁

[@LowEndLobster]

XD

[@bassclefconnoisseur]

1/4 lb. Burger? Don't you mean Crabby Pattie? Mmmm

[@LowEndLobster]

nom nom nom

[@peterszilagyi2262]

Thank you very much for your informative and interesting videos! You are the best! So, do I understand correctly that this is a drop-in replacement for a Sire U5 too?

[@mentula3784]

Nice vid again Lobster! Got a whole box of bits and a Harley Benton bass to tinker with myself (bought for tinkering with) and went for Wilkinson stuff. Under 200gbp for bass and bits all in, hopefully it all goes well, gotta shim the neck though, goddamn it should have came with a quiver of arrows. Neck flattened, saddles slammed, still 1/4" at 12th fret 😂

[@marblewallop]

I snorted when you said "stay tuned." I thought you were making a gear joke 🥲

[@LowEndLobster]

LOL

[@jamesbowles3290]

Thanks for the tip. i ordered some USA Hipshot UL's and the diameter was very close, I only had to do one wrap of tape. They are more expensive but imo the materials are better plus you can convert them to be on either side of the head.

[@misterbreakit2006]

Woo hoo! Finally, a bass surgery video. Thank you, Dr. Lobster!

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Martin! There will be more :)

[@mallexandre69]

Upgrade? So good Man ! Hipshot is live !!!! Great job!!!

[@LowEndLobster]

Thank you! :)

[@ralphhenderson7270]

Can you get another brand name open gear tuner at 17.5mm?

[@davidrios8408]

Schaller tuners

[@canadianguitar-garrettont7368]

Have you tried upgrading the M5 or M7 series bass tuner wondering if there is a good drop in solution

[@mikarage3677]

Hi Lobster, this is Mika from France. Seems you have upgraded the bridge too? Drop in replacement , no drilling needed?

[@romelshowell7638]

DUDE!!! You are a life saver!!! I've been wanting to do this on my Squier Jazz Deluxe 5, but couldn't figure out how to make it work. I'm ordering today!!! Thanks again...

[@GuyInnagorillasuit]

Rubber mallet? But I hardly know her!

[@LowEndLobster]

XD

[@springboard1924]

What size Hipshot Ultralite Tuners would I order for the Sire V10? Thanks!

[@zacharydesjardins3701]

Could you do this mod with a Sterling Ray 34?

[@LowEndLobster]

Yes, just make sure you get the one tuner in the right orientation for the other side of the headstock. I actually did this on my latest SUB mod with great success

[@mgeinitz1]

What hipshot drop d tuner should I get for my V3? Thanks in advance

[@jaysjams1517]

I am looking to do this on my Sire U5.

[@LowEndLobster]

Nice! I think that'll work out great

[@JJaguar333]

Hi there. Have you run these ultralights on any of your sub basses and is it worth doing?

[@TheGAMEGod_YT]

Wooooooooooooo !!!!!!!!

[@LowEndLobster]

Let's gooooo!

[@1funkyangel]

Love that T-Shirt Lobster ! 😁

[@LowEndLobster]

Thank you :)

[@albundy2239]

Very informative video 👍🏻

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Al!

[@brasingt]

Hey Lobster, I started following you when I decided to get back into playing bass. I finally found a squire paranormal bass, and I’m really looking forward to your modification videos now!

[@LowEndLobster]

Suwheet! Welcome and glad to have you aboard! Paranormal is a great mod platform! Let me know if there's any specific mod in particular you want to see :)

[@brasingt]

@@LowEndLobster that’s what sold me on it. I’ll be lurking for awhile while I figure out where I want to go with it!

[@Arcade1959]

Do you think the Hipshot HB6 C-3/8 Ultralight can be good for a Sire U5 ?

[@LowEndLobster]

I'm pretty sure the U5 also uses 1/2" tuners, so the 3/8" models will be way too small. I haven't played a U5 in quite some time though... definitely worth a revisit.

[@Arcade1959]

@@LowEndLobster 1/2" how many millimeters is it ?

[@LowEndLobster]

I believe USA Ultralites are drop in and imports require a bushing or 'the tape trick' (which I do).

[@Arcade1959]

@@LowEndLobster Je vous remercie pour ces informations (Thierry from Belgium)

[@Phillip-y6d]

🤣 salutations crustations

[@Phillip-y6d]

why is ' crustations ' spell checked ? It's a real word.

[@PhilosophicalCat]

I like how you engage with the people in the comment section. More musicians should do that on their channels/videos.

[@LowEndLobster]

Thank you! I do what I can :)

[@PhilosophicalCat]

@@LowEndLobster you did it again!

[@FilipBass2]

What the hell happened with that mic audio

[@LowEndLobster]

Bad things hahaha, my extension died and made a horrible hum. Has to use a denoiser to get rid of it but it messes with my voice.

[@davidradlin5955]

Any guy who thinks using masking tape is an acceptable means of adapting the bushing to an oversized hole shouldn’t be publishing how-to videos online… 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@LowEndLobster]

They're still going strong ;). Great bunch of videos you got there!...

[@davidradlin5955]

@@LowEndLobster … ignorance is bliss!