Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I recently installed the BT-2 on my Fender Jaguar Bass (2007) to be able to change tunings quickly during live performances. The installation is a direct retrofit without any modifications to the instrument necessary. If there are any concerns regarding the condition of your screw holes when you install this unit, a bit of wood glue (Elmer's is more than sufficient) and a toothpick will easily refill the existing hole and allow the threads to "bite" into the wood again. The tuning peg comes with a ferule which will be unnecessary for the installation; as the stock Fender ferule on the guitar fits the post diameter exactly. The flat head screws included provide clearance for the top plate to rotate above the mounting plate, so be sure to use them. The enclosed directions and diagrams are clear and concise. Following the steps exactly will make this a simple process.
The Pros:
The design of the lever system will allow you to de-tune from E to as low as C without the unit's rotation causing interference with the A string tuning peg assembly.
When the correct pitch is set for the drop tuning, it will hold a consistent tuning.
The fine teeth on the gear create minimal play and allow for precision operation; as do the nylon bushings.
The amount of desired resistance when turning the tuning knob can be adjusted by a set screw located on the top plate. This will increase or decrease friction against the nylon bushing, so be cautious when increasing the pressure so as not to damage the nylon.
The lever in the standard tuning position will not interfere with your hand positions.
The lever in the drop tuning position rotates completely away so as not to interfere with your hand positions.
The Cons:
The knurled thumbscrew used to adjust the drop tuning pitch is not as close in machining tolerances as the rest of the assembly. I used a bit of PTFE paste (for plumbing threads) to fill in the thread gaps and add a redundancy to the spring tension to prevent the screw from vibrating out of the desired pitch when playing in standard position.
Depending upon the specifics of your nut and bridge design, the string may become hung up in the grooves when engaging or disengaging the lever. A bit of lubricant to the stringnut and the saddle can help remedy this.
Inexplicably, when I tune my string to the standard E pitch, set the detuned pitch and return to standard pitch again, the standard E pitch returns at 12 cents sharp. However, if I begin by tuning the string to 12 cents flat and adjust the drop tuned pitch to a correct (in my case) D pitch, the result is that the string returns to correct standard pitch and the drop tuned pitch remains correct.
Summary:
This is a great product that will extend the range of your standard bass guitar. It performs flawlessly and can be used with confidence on stage. Installation is as easy as it gets. Maintenance is just a matter of keeping the moving parts and surfaces lubricated for smooth and consistent operation.
About the tuning variance I'm experiencing: My feeling is that this has to do with the knurled style saddles on my stock bridge. This will be remedied shortly with either replacement saddles or a BadassII bridge. I'm leaning towards the latter...
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Hipshot BT2 Bass Xtender Key (Chrome Finish)
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