Hi guys, I am looking to replace the machine heads and the bridge for a Harley Benton PJ (SBK 4 Strings), and I was wondering whether you are aware of some good quality compatible hardware., for example Gotoh or similar.
According to Thomann, there isn’t any, but I don’t believe them 100%, as they may have an interest in pushing their own products.
Here is the bass I purchased (it’s my guinea pig bass, which I use to learn maintenance):
I’d like to avoid drilling into the body, but at some point I am afraid I am going to have do to that.
I replaced the machine heads on my Blackstar Carr-On Bass and had to drill. Well, not drill - I honed. I needed to go from 12mm to 14mm.
Drilling can be challengig - if it goes wrong, that’s it! If you want to do it anyway, please use a countersink first and drill straight, using a drill stand! Put some tape on the drill holes, so you don’t destroy the finish.
I use this one for other things, but there are more professional options: Amazon.de
I took a round wood stick, glued some sandpaper around it, put the stick in a drill and carefully honed the whole from 12mm to 14mm from the inside.
I fixed the drilling machine on a table, removed the neck and honed with gentle round movements of the neck.
I tried to fit the machine heads every 10 seconds, so I made sure that I did not hone away too much.
It was a pretty exciting and sweaty business as this is a recipe to destroy your guitar.
But it worked out quite well and now I have some fine Gotoh tuners on that bass!
I would again advise @Rob150 to measure.
Just because there are 5 holes does not mean HB stuck to a Fender standard.
Could be in mm or something weird, esp if HB is saying nothing will mate up.
You can get a super cheap caliper on Amazon for like $20, a great investment if you are going to mod.
But, you can order a bridge and always send it back if it doesn’t fit.
As far as I know, Harley Benton uses pretty standard components though, so I don’t expect challenges.
EDIT: I think the Harely Benton statement might be about the machine heads, and “nothing” means: Thomann does not offer it ^^
Or just use a reaming tool as that what it’s designed for ie making the hole larger in diameter if required. Proper tools are your friend. Don’t use a drill bit to enlarge the hole.
Maybe get one of the cheap and well reviewed digital ones!? I have an analog one, and sometimes it’s hard to decide, what is what - especially if you have an imperial / metric mix.
