Kleingeld

Last night I removed a tuner just to see how much weigh we're talking about here and what the potential weigh savings might be. My conclusion is that this is probably not worthwhile. At best, I'd only be able to shave a few ounces. The stock tuners really aren't that heavy. My previous frame of reference was tuners from a Fender Jazz, and those weigh a lot. The Schallers do not. Swapping out just the tuner heads would yield next to nothing. The real weigh is in the lug nut that anchors the tuner to the headstock. I've searched for a lower weight replacement for just that part from Schaller, but it doesn't seem to exist. In the end, I'm going to sit tight for now. I will say that, having totally disassembled one of the Schaller tuners, they are beautifully made. When you have it down into its component parts you can really see how well designed and constructed they are. I've been a fan of Hipshot products for years, but looking at the Schallers you can see that they're just a tick more elegant in their design and build. Swapping out the control knobs. Now THAT saved some weight!

Yup, I've found lots of sources too but, like the site you sent, they don't have tuner heads for bass, or if they do they're for Fender clover leaf style.

Great suggestion. Apparently, you can buy the lightweight tuner head separately: http://guitar-parts.biz/hp14638/Bass-Button-22-CH-11230200.htm?ITServ=C362c19bdX14852562e19X7b79. Unfortunately, the only place I've found to purchase them online are from European sources. Does anyone know of a U.S. source? In looking for other alternatives, I've only found one place that will make you custom wooden tuner heads (also called tuner knobs or tuner buttons) for $35 each(!). Again, if anyone knows of any other sources, I'd be very grateful.

Okay, I've searched the world over and there doesn't seem to be a light weight bass tuner that's the same configuration as the existing Schaller. As I said above, The difference is the location of the screw holes. There don't seem to be any light tuners were the screw hole points in the same direction as the stock Schallers do. I've looked into Schaller, Gotoh, Grover, Hipshot, and MusicLily. Just about all require the addition of a new screw hole to anchor each tuner. There are a couple exceptions where, instead of a screw eye that extends from the tuner, has little anchors between the tuner and the headstock. It still requires the addition of little indents in the headstock, but no extra hole. Right now I'm thinking I'm going to go with this Schaller option: http://www.allparts.com/TK-7971-010-Schaller-2x2-Lightweight-Keys-Chrome_p_4072.html I'd value any advice or opinions before I pull the trigger.

Yup, that's your bass. Fear not, it's well cared for and getting a lot of attention. I can't imagine myself doing surgery on it. If after I replace the tuners (still looking for the right replacements) and the knobs (as you suggested) it's still heavy, my big fat strap and I are just going to have to suck it up. :^D

Next step is to find the right light weight replacement tuners. Schaller makes a light weight M4, but the screw hole points down rather than in the opposite direction from the tuning pegs as the stock Schallers do. Any suggestions?

That's the very strap I'm using! :^D

I have a B8S I'm modifying to make it the kind of player I can use on a regular basis. One thing that will strike anyone when they pick a B8S up is, this thing is heavy! Has anyone successfully lightened theirs? Short of drilling a lot of holes (which I will not do), there's not a lot that can be done. I did switch the bass from active to passive, saving the weight of one whole 9 volt battery. The only other thing I can come up with is changing the tuners for lighter weight ones. I've successfully done this on an old Fender Jazz of mine. I'm wondering if anyone as done this with a Hamer bass with worthwhile results? Any other suggestions?