| Author | Message | ||
| attmann
Junior Username: attmann Post Number: 36 Registered: 4-2006 |
Hello everybody, searching the threads quite a few of us Alembic owners seem to have run into problems with their Schaller tuners mounted on seventy's Series I/II basses. Some tuners will go out of tune all the time, others will just break apart. They have simply gotten old. The Schaller tuner model used on Series I/II basses throughout the seventies is called M4 - having the mounting screw in the centered position. This model was discontinued in the late seventies. The follow up M4 had the screw position changed from centered to the side. In consequence it is impossible to replace a broken old Schaller M4 with a new style M4 from the factory without drilling a new hole into the headstock. Drilling a hole leaving the centered hole visible and unused however destroys the instrument's integrity... Have you ever tried to find a set of old style M4s's on ebay or elsewhere? It seems impossible to get those... In conclusion being an Alembic user from Germany I have approached the Schaller company in order to convince them to produce a "vintage reissue" of the old style M4 machine heads. Apparently Schaller has dumped the old molds. They are now considering making new molds for a replication of the old style M4. Michael "Dela" Delacerda was so kind to lend out a 77 M4 tuner to support the research. The making of a mold for mass production is a very costly part of the process however. In order to make this a reasonable investment in terms of expectable sales of the reissue model Schaller is curious how many sets they would be likely to sell. So this why I am addressing every SeriesI/II owner: Anyone being potentially interested in buying a backup set of vintage reissue M4s is needed to post show their interest in this thread. The more potential interest is documented here the more it can help to convince the Schaller company that they would benefit economically also from this reissue project. Thanks to everyone! Jürgen  | ||
| slawie
Member Username: slawie Post Number: 80 Registered: 8-2002 |
I would buy a set of 4. Gold plated. slawie | ||
| bassilisk
Junior Username: bassilisk Post Number: 12 Registered: 4-2009 |
I'd take a chrome set of 4. | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 6160 Registered: 6-2000 |
I'd buy 10 sets of chrome and 10 sets of gold without thinking about it. I might even buy more if I thought about it  | ||
| terryc
Senior Member Username: terryc Post Number: 889 Registered: 11-2004 |
Why would Schaller change the chassis of the tuner, in engineering terms it would not make a difference whether it was side or vertical centred, the main problem was the internals which needed re engineering. The main mounting point is the nuts on the facing, the screw just pulls the mechanism unit to the headstock. I hope they do produce those vintage machines for the older Almebics as drilling another hole is just not an option and since Mica herself has chipped in on support it should prompt them into tooling up to produce them..Good luck | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 8166 Registered: 5-2002 |
I have a '77 Alembic Series I, so obviously I would be interested in knowing if/when replacement tuners will be available. | ||
| musashi
Junior Username: musashi Post Number: 39 Registered: 5-2004 |
I would be interested as well. Thanks. | ||
| georgie_boy
Senior Member Username: georgie_boy Post Number: 790 Registered: 8-2005 |
So would I. | ||
| germansal
Junior Username: germansal Post Number: 27 Registered: 8-2004 |
Too late for me ,i,ve replaced them 15 years ago | ||
| mothy4
New Username: mothy4 Post Number: 7 Registered: 5-2003 |
Hey guys! Let me know when this happens. My '74 LSB needs a new peg for the D string and I'd like to replace the entire set anyway. | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 438 Registered: 5-2002 |
Oh well, I just drilled new holes and widened the main holes and refitted with Gotoh tuners. it doesn't seem to have changed the integrity of the bass. Sure as heck tunes better. Edwin | ||
| crobbins
Advanced Member Username: crobbins Post Number: 376 Registered: 6-2004 |
I think we need a bigger picture. | ||
| whitesound
New Username: whitesound Post Number: 1 Registered: 7-2004 |
I would be very interested. Thanks | ||
| room037
Advanced Member Username: room037 Post Number: 271 Registered: 9-2003 |
We want to know how much, when it will be available. I'm lucky to get NOS old M4 gold and replaced for my 76' 421's 1st strings. But my 70's basses have 7 pairs of gold tuners ! (5 + 5 + 4 strings) I would need several sets of Gold, in the future. I am very interested too ! Eiji | ||
| neyman
Member Username: neyman Post Number: 77 Registered: 7-2002 |
Count me in as being interested! | ||
| attmann
Junior Username: attmann Post Number: 37 Registered: 4-2006 |
I forgot to post my need for at least to gold sets. What about you, Dela? | ||
| attmann
Junior Username: attmann Post Number: 38 Registered: 4-2006 |
I meant two like 2... | ||
| dela217
Senior Member Username: dela217 Post Number: 972 Registered: 6-2002 |
I wouldn't mind one of each! | ||
| toddharris
Member Username: toddharris Post Number: 67 Registered: 7-2008 |
Count me in for 2 sets at least. | ||
| howierd
Member Username: howierd Post Number: 92 Registered: 8-2004 |
I'll take 1 set please ''Gold Plated'' ! | ||
| poor_nigel
New Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 4 Registered: 11-2009 |
One gold set, please (2+2). | ||
| pace
Senior Member Username: pace Post Number: 463 Registered: 4-2004 |
if this happens, I'd take one set for my S1, and one set for my EBO (both chrome 2+2) | ||
| poor_nigel
New Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 10 Registered: 11-2009 |
One more set of gold plated 2+2. So two sets, total. | ||
| room037
Advanced Member Username: room037 Post Number: 325 Registered: 9-2003 |
Any update ? | ||
| attmann
Junior Username: attmann Post Number: 41 Registered: 4-2006 |
Hello, to those of you being interested in the Schaller vintage reissue: After having collected your documented interest in this thread for a while I guess it's about time to contact Mr. Regnet of the Schaller Company once again - showing him this proof of necessity... I will keep you posted! best regards Jürgen | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 1607 Registered: 5-2009 |
Hello. 2 Chrome Sets for me please . For my two 1981 Alembics. Thanks for the updated inquiry . Wolf. | ||
| artswork99
Moderator Username: artswork99 Post Number: 1411 Registered: 7-2007 |
+ 1 silver, maybe 1 silver and 1 gold | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 1608 Registered: 5-2009 |
If there is an option of Nickel or Chrome , I would prefer 2 in Nickel rather than 2 in Chrome. Thanks. |
