starting to get annoyed with the wiggly and unstable stock tuners on my TRBX174 - what is a reasonable brand/model of tuner replacement? and, what is the size of tuner i am looking for for this bass?
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I have noticed this mostly on the E string on mine. I’ll be interested in what people suggest for this.
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A quick Google shows Gotoh GB707 Compact tuners will work with a TRBX 174. Amazon sells them. Other places, too, I’m sure.
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i guess to be more clear i think what i am asking is: what is the measurement i am looking for that will fit my bass? is it the peg diameter? bore? and then i assume a screw hole pattern? can i put non-compact tuners on? i can pull one of the tuners off and measure but im not sure what i am measuring for. and then also what is considered a good brand? do not want to replace mediocre hardware with other mediocre hardware.
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Gotoh makes good quality tuners.
For a different brand, contact Hipshot.
Hipshot makes licensed and USA-made tuning machines and they can answer all your questions.
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Like everything…depends
Bore matters if you don’t want to bore it bigger. Slightly smaller can be accommodated but too small no dice. I’ve used Teflon tape to make up a mm or so. So bore generally matters.
Post has to fit in the bore but bore is based on ferrule dimension not post. Measure bore and look for ferrules that fit. You will need a round something you can hit with a hammer to get the ferrule out. It’s fairly easy.
Screw holes matter if you don’t want to drill, you most likely will have to. Fender and a few other brands have direct swap offerings from other mfg’s but not much else. Covering existing holes is a plus.
Yes, pull it off. It’s fine. Get a caliper on Amazon. It’s worth it.
Gotoh, Hipshot, are my faves.
Grover Schaller are good too
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I agree with @MikeC ,
I replaced the tuners on my Yamaha rbx 200
With Gotoh tuners, simple swap out👍
Cheers Brian
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To answer your original question I would say to try contacting Yamaha parts department directly and ask them about other tuners. I have always found them to be very cooperative and price competitive on parts
BUT
Purchasing a set of good tuners that are costing 1/3 the price of the Bass you have seems a bit radical to me. Then if you upgrade the pickups you have just doubled the initial cost of the Bass.
If it was me and I was planning on sticking with playing Bass I would seriously consider upgrading the Bass. You have other options in the TRBX lineup if you like Yamaha. The TRBX304 and TRBX504 come to mind.
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totally get what you are saying and of course that makes perfect sense.
but, if i wanted to spend money rationally and logically, i would not have gotten into bass 
. i want to upgrade the tuners as much for the experience of doing so as well as having them work better, so to me around $50 or so is not that big of a deal. however i will not spend what looks like at least $120+ for hipshots.
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TRBX174 seems like a fine bass to mod if you love the thing and go in understanding that modding doesn’t really increase resale value much.
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Good tuners aren’t cheap.
Go big or stay home on modding is my thought.
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I own both.
Big upgrade in the electronics on the 504 IMHO.
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Absolutely correct. Either do it, or don’t.
Again, Gotoh makes quality tuners. They are a good option.
But if you like your bass, and you want to cure its problem, ante up the bread and buy once, cry once.
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Isn’t that the truth 
When I upgraded from the 304 to the 504 I looked at modding the 304 but it was just not worth it in my opinion. Now the 304 is my backup Bass.
I think modding is a whole different realm unto itself and that is all well and fine as long as you realize it can be a very deep, and expensive, rabbit hole to go down. You seem to have a handle on this aspect though. 
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Top notch, yeah. Potentially better than Hipshot.
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The part price to bass price ratio can work both ways. If a cheap bass has a good fretboard, weight and color … I’m fine doubling the cost with upgrades and ending up with nicer parts than would be on a mid-priced bass.
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The absolute no question about best tuners I have ever experienced are on my ‘72 Rick.
Kluson. Smoothest dreamiest there are.
No idea I’d they are still as outstanding but man, these are.
Anyone know?
@Al1885 ?
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I replaced the tuners on my Sire U5 with Hipshot USA Ultralites for $120+. They are totally worth it to me and make a great bass better.
I have Gotoh tuners on an acoustic steel-string guitar that was handmade for me years ago. They are great tuners.
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Wow, they have a lot of varieties to sort out!
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