1. Choosing the right type of bass mechanics

First of all you have to think about what kind of bass mechanics you want for your bass. There are a variety of different bass mechanics on the market. We have therefore created a separate page for this topic, which you can find here.

If you are sure about the type of bass mechanics, continue with the next points to find the right variant for the selected bass mechanics type that fits your bass.

2. Determine the hole diameter for the adjusting axis / post of the bass mechanics on the headstock of the bass

So that the bass mechanics also fit through the holes in the headstock of your bass, it is of course important to know how big these holes are and what diameter the bass mechanics have.

Most modern basses have 14mm holes for the bass mechanics. Many vintage basses have holes between 17 mm and 18 mm for the bass mechanics. Special dimensions can also be found on some basses, but these are so extremely rare that bass mechanics are often not offered for them.

Our Silverback Vintage Bass Tuners Prejazz have a diameter of 18 mm. Here you get to our Prejazz Vintage Bass tuners.

Our Gorilla Bass Tuners all have a 14 mm diameter for modern basses. Here you get to our Gorilla Bass mechanics.

To find out the hole diameter for the bass mechanics in your headstock, you can easily measure the holes or you can simply measure the bass mechanics that were previously installed.

3. Determine the attachment variant of the bass mechanics on the headstock of the bass

There are different ways of attaching bass tuners to the headstock of bass guitars. A bass mechanism is always attached to two points of the bass headstock. A distinction is made between the attachment of the bass mechanics on the front of the guitar headstock to the adjusting axis / post of the guitar mechanics and the attachment on the back of the guitar headstock to the housing of the guitar mechanics.

3. 1 Attachment of the bass mechanics from the front: on the adjustment axis / post

3. 1 1 Attachment of the bass mechanics with screw sockets

Bass mechanics with screw sockets are mostly found on bass guitars. The screw sockets are screwed from the front into the headstock of your bass guitar directly into the bass mechanics, which are mounted from the back of the headstock. The bass mechanics screw sockets hold the bass mechanics firmly on the headstock and secure them from falling out. The radial securing of the bass mechanics, i.e. the safeguard against twisting, is done either by the screws or pins on the housing of the bass mechanics (see 3. 2 Attachment of the bass mechanics from behind)

We also sell our screw sockets for bass mechanics separately. Click here to get to our screw sockets.

3. 1 2 Attachment of the bass mechanics with press-in sleeves

The attachment with press-in sleeves is mostly used with vintage bass mechanics. However, one speaks here of a guide rather than an attachment, since the press-in sleeve does not hold the bass mechanics in place, but rather the adjustment axis / post of the bass mechanics runs in the press-in sleeve.

In this variant, the bass mechanics are always attached to the housing of the bass mechanics with two or four screws and secure the bass mechanics against both radial twisting and falling out (see point 3. 2 1 2 fastening with screws).

We also sell our press-in sleeves for bass tuners separately. Click here to get to our press-in sleeves.

3. 2 Attachment of the bass mechanics from behind: on the housing

3. 2 1 screw attachment

The attachment of the bass mechanics to the headstock of the bass guitar using screws is the most common. A distinction is made between the attachment of the guitar mechanics with either one, two or four screws.

We also sell our screws for bass tuners separately. Click here to get to our screws.

When screwing bass mechanics into place, it is important to note how many screws are used and how the screw holes on the bass mechanics are designed.

3. 2 1 1 Fastening with a screw

When the bass mechanics are attached with a screw, this is usually found in modern bass mechanics. A 90 degree screw bracket is usually used here, as this offers a compact design and can also be easily installed with small headstocks.

We also offer our Gorilla Bass machine heads with a 90 degree screw lug. Here you get to our Gorilla Bass mechanics.

3. 2 1 2 Fastening with two or four screws

The attachment of bass tuners with two or four screws is mostly found on vintage bass tuners. Screw holes can be found on the left and/or right of the housing of the guitar mechanics. With some bass mechanics, however, these are also offset.

Our Silverback Vintage Bass Tuners Prejazz are offered with four screws. Here you get to our Prejazz Vintage Bass tuners.

When screwing on bass mechanics, it is important to pay attention to the hole pattern of the bass mechanics so that it fits the bass guitar. If the hole pattern doesn't fit, you can of course simply drill new holes in the headstock.

3. 2 2 pin attachment

The pin attachment of bass mechanics is not as widespread as the screw attachment. With pin attachment, the housing of the bass mechanics is locked in the headstock of the bass guitar using one or two pins attached to the back of the housing. So we distinguish:

• 1 pin variant
• 2 pin variant

The pin attachment of bass mechanics is always attached from the front with screw sleeves (see point 3. 1 1) combined, as this type of attachment secures the bass mechanics from falling off. The sole purpose of the pin attachment is to ensure that the bass mechanics cannot twist or slip radially.

When attaching pins to bass mechanics, it is important to note how many pins are used and what diameter and spacing the pins have so that they fit the bass guitar. If the pins don't fit, the old pin holes in the bass guitar's headstock can of course be closed and new pin holes drilled. This is of course much more complex than with screw fastenings.