Gibson bass guitar part descriptions - Machineheads
EB banjo tuners Gibson part number MH-570-P (1965). Sealfast 12 to 1 ratio, as used on 1950s EB/EB1, and EB2 basses and the melody maker style slap body EB0
Kluson 538 'elephant ear' tuners Gibson part number MH-538 (1965), 82536 (1971). The 1960s open gear Klusons were used on most EB0, EB2 and EB3 basses throughout the 1960s. Until 1965 they were plated in nickel, and chrome thereafter, as pictured, with a hole rather than a split post. This tuner had a " diameter post, and unlike the 70s version did not feature the word Gibson. A major disadvantege of this tuner was its requirement for headstock routing. No longer used after 1969.
Kluson 546 'large elephant ear' tuners Gibson part number MH-546 (1965). The 1960s large open gear Klusons were used on the Gibson Thunderbird.
Closed gear Japanese tuners These machine heads were used primarily on Gibsons budget models, the Kalamazoo KB bass, and the Melody Maker bass. They did also find their way onto some EB0 models between 1966 and 1969
Schaller M-4-C classic, for split headstock Gibson part number 14746 (bass side), 14747 (treble side), 82535 (set). This variant of the M4 has a uniformly cylindrical post with a hole, rather than a split post (see below). With 'Gibson' on the gear cover. 1970-1971
Schaller M-4 Gibson part number 14671 (bass side), 14672 (treble side), 82534 (set). The M4 has been very widely used, from around 1967 and throughout the 1970s, on EBs, the Les Paul bass and LP Triumph, SB series, and rarely on other basses. Usually with 'Gibson' or a 'G' on the gear cover.
Schaller M-4-S Gibson part numbers 14575 (bass side), 14576 (treble side), 82510 (set). 1971-73. As used on EB series, SB series. There are no screws attaching this tuner to the headstock, it just screws into place - with two tabs that fit into depressions to prevent it from turning.
Schaller BM The seventies (split-post) BM had a wider post than the 60s Kluson eqivalent ( " compared to ") and the word 'Gibson'. The mounting screw spacing was identical however. As used on EB, Grabber, G-3, Ripper, Les Paul Signature, RD series. 1973-80
Early eighties Gotoh tuners part number 14102. As used on the Victory Standard.
Early eighties Schaller tuners part number 14110. As used on the Victory Artist and Custom basses.
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