The Kluson 538 open gear tuning key is reliable, hard-wearing and easy to maintain. No wonder they were used so widely. Gibson part MH-538 (1965), 82536 (1971). Gibson used them throughout the 1960s. on the EB-0, EB-2, EB-3, Epiphone Newport and Epiphone Rivoli basses. Note the footprint has the characteristic indentations, something not present on the similar looking Schaller BM tuners that Gibson used in the seventies and eighties. This required extra routing of course, and was most likely a factor in their discontinuation in 1969.
The post diameter is just 3/8" (approx 9.5mm), post hole 7/16" (approx 11.1mm); smaller than the BM.
Note also the characteristic clover leaf shape of the buttons. Early versions of the 538 were nickel plated (as seen in the first pictures below), later chrome.
Some basses fitted with these tuners
List of Gibson bass guitar tuners
Gibson bass tuners for sale
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Vintage Old 1960s Single 1 Bass Guitar Tuner Low Side Yamaha Fender Gibson
Port Charlotte, Florida, 339**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$42
This is a Single Vintage Very Old 1960s Bass Guitar Tuner from a 1960s Bass It is for Low or Bass Side E and A strings Nickel There is some normal vintage wear and tarnishing as seen in the pictures We don't know what brand or year this was from Please look at all the pictures Sold As Is All Sales Final No Returns Buyer pays shipping, thanks... more
One 70's GIBSON Bass TUNER Bent Les Paul Flying V Marauder S-1 some L6-S ES335
Miami, Florida, 331**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$35
Late 70's to early 80's. Button shaft is bent. Nickel plated and in good shape. As used on many vintage Gibson guitars in 80's and 70's.
Sales tax will be added by ebay. I will ship most of my items to many countries other than USA, but I ask that all buyers contact me before making a purchase. Foreign buyers are responsible for all of their taxes and customs duties. I will NOT declare lower values or declare items as gifts under any circumstance.
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Sales tax will be added by ebay. I will ship most of my items to many countries other than USA, but I ask that all buyers contact me before making a purchase. Foreign buyers are responsible for all of their taxes and customs duties. I will NOT declare lower values or declare items as gifts under any circumstance.
... more
LATE 1970's-80's Gibson Nickel BASS Tuner BUSHINGS Grabber G-3 Ripper RD EB
Miami, Florida, 331**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$100
These fit the later Gibson bass tuners with the Gibson logo. Will not fit earlier ones
This is an original set of 4 Gibson nickel plated Bass tuner bushings. These were found on many (but not all) Gibson basses from the mid to late 70's to the early 80's. These have holes to fit 1 / 2-inch tuner shafts and are press-in, not threaded Please do your own research since Gretsch used other types of tuner bushings as well
Sales tax will be added by Ebay. I will ship most of ... more
This is an original set of 4 Gibson nickel plated Bass tuner bushings. These were found on many (but not all) Gibson basses from the mid to late 70's to the early 80's. These have holes to fit 1 / 2-inch tuner shafts and are press-in, not threaded Please do your own research since Gretsch used other types of tuner bushings as well
Sales tax will be added by Ebay. I will ship most of ... more
Gibson Kluson Firebird Banjo Guitar Tuner Head Peg Gold B Bass
State College, Pennsylvania, 168**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$65
Up for sale is a single Gibson Kluson Firebird banjo guitar tuner. B Bass string. Gold finish. Turns smoothly. Most of my items ship the next day if purchased before 8pm EST. Thanks for looking and please ask any questions
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One Gibson Logo 1970's-80's Treble Side TUNER EB-3 Grabber Ripper RD #2
Miami, Florida, 331**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$70
This one has a non-original washer. Otherwise, OK.
7 % sales tax will be added to all items shipped inside the state of Florida. I will ship most of my items to many countries other than USA, but I ask that all buyers contact me before making a purchase. Foreign buyers are responsible for all of their taxes and customs duties. I will NOT declare lower values or declare items as gifts under any circumstance.
... more
7 % sales tax will be added to all items shipped inside the state of Florida. I will ship most of my items to many countries other than USA, but I ask that all buyers contact me before making a purchase. Foreign buyers are responsible for all of their taxes and customs duties. I will NOT declare lower values or declare items as gifts under any circumstance.
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Late 60's-Early 70's Gibson EB-0 EB-3 Slotted Head Bass Tuners Tuning Pegs
Leesport, Pennsylvania, 195**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$150
Late 60's, early 70's Gibson EB slot head bass tuners
Tuners show some light age wear
Overall in nice condition
One tuner is missing the cap.... more
Tuners show some light age wear
Overall in nice condition
One tuner is missing the cap.... more
Two Vintage 1970's Gibson Bass no screw TUNERS EB-3 EB-4 EB-0 MISSING SCREWS
Miami, Florida, 331**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$60
This listing is for two Gibson Bass tuners. These tuners came on some (but not all) 70's Gibson basses. Both tuners are missing the screws that hold the gear and shaft together
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One Sticky+Bent Gibson 1970's-80's Treble Side TUNER EB-3 Grabber Ripper RD #1
Miami, Florida, 331**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$60
This one has a bent paddle and sticks when you turn it. It does turn and should work, but not optimal
7 % sales tax will be added to all items shipped inside the state of Florida. I will ship most of my items to many countries other than USA, but I ask that all buyers contact me before making a purchase. Foreign buyers are responsible for all of their taxes and customs duties. I will NOT declare lower values or declare items as gifts under any circumstance.
... more
7 % sales tax will be added to all items shipped inside the state of Florida. I will ship most of my items to many countries other than USA, but I ask that all buyers contact me before making a purchase. Foreign buyers are responsible for all of their taxes and customs duties. I will NOT declare lower values or declare items as gifts under any circumstance.
... more
One Gibson NO Logo ear. 1970's Treble Side TUNER EB-0 EB-3 Grabber G-3 Ripper #2
Miami, Florida, 331**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$80
This one shows wear, but it's in good vintage shape. These tuners were used on some, but not all Gibson Basses in the early 70's. The shafts are a bit wider than the later 70's tuners with the Gibson Logo.
Sales tax will be collected by ebay. I will ship most of my items to many countries other than USA, but I ask that all buyers contact me before making a purchase. Foreign buyers are responsible for all of their taxes and customs duties. I will NOT declare lower values or declare items as ... more
Sales tax will be collected by ebay. I will ship most of my items to many countries other than USA, but I ask that all buyers contact me before making a purchase. Foreign buyers are responsible for all of their taxes and customs duties. I will NOT declare lower values or declare items as ... more
1970's Gibson Schaller Bass Guitar Tuners for Ripper G3 & EB Models Vintage
Brooklyn, New York, 112**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$275
This listing is for a complete set of Vintage 1970's Gibson (Schaller) Bass Guitar Tuners, These 2+2 tuning gears came off a late 1970's Gibson Grabber G-3 Bass Guitar. These tuning machines are also commonly found on many EB bass guitars models throughout the 1970's and 1980's
The tuning keys are in excellent condition and the complete set comes as pictured with the original mounting screws.
Please check out the pictures and message with questions.
Thanks for looking, ,... more
The tuning keys are in excellent condition and the complete set comes as pictured with the original mounting screws.
Please check out the pictures and message with questions.
Thanks for looking, ,... more
Vintage 1970's Gibson Bass no screw TUNERS EB-3 EB-4 EB-0 Pitted
Miami, Florida, 331**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$170
These tuners came on some (but not all) 70's Gibson basses. This set is complete and fully functioning. Two of the 4 tuners show substantial wear and pitting on the chrome plate.
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60's Gibson Bass Tuning Machines, Tuners and bushings by Schaller 2x2, EB0
Healdsburg, California, 954**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$200
60's Gibson Bass Tuning Machines, Tuners and bushings by Schaller 2x2, EB0there is some plating ware on the string shafts. in good working condition. 14 33 mm .564 in tuner shaft diameter. 18 74mm .738 in outside bushing diameter 70 28mm 2 767mm tuner paddle length.... more
VINTAGE 1982 USA GIBSON VICTORY BASS GUITAR TUNER
Monza, 20***, ITALY
€50
Early eighties Gotoh tuners part number 14102.
Gibson used these on the Victory Standard and Victory Artist basses from 1981, and occasionally the Victory Custom later in 1982
Hard to find, very rare and no longer produced
Very good condition, see pictures
Price for one tuner, available 4 tuners
Private auction, non guarantee
European bidders please email me for postage costs
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Gibson used these on the Victory Standard and Victory Artist basses from 1981, and occasionally the Victory Custom later in 1982
Hard to find, very rare and no longer produced
Very good condition, see pictures
Price for one tuner, available 4 tuners
Private auction, non guarantee
European bidders please email me for postage costs
... more
1969 GIBSON EB 1 VIOLINE BASS TUNER
COLOGNE, GERMANY
£222
1969 GIBSON EB 1 BASS TUNER :
* fits ONLY E or A string
* 1 tuner ONLY
* chrome finish has wear
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* fits ONLY E or A string
* 1 tuner ONLY
* chrome finish has wear
... more
1970's GIBSON GRABBER BASS GUITAR TUNER & BUSHING - LOGO STAMPED UNIVERSAL MOUNT
Shalvey, NSW, 2***, AUSTRALIA
AU $160
One only vintage 1970's Genuine Gibson grabber bass guitar tuner with bushing and four mounting screws removed from a damaged 1970's Gibson The Grabber Bass Guitar. It will suit numerous Gibson Bass Guitar models. In great condition with no lose or worn parts and in a nickel finish. Stamped on one side with Gibson and stamped on the reverse side with Made in Germany. This is a universal tuner and can be swapped from left to right simply by removing the screw and gear and flipping the worm drive ... more
There are 1 comments on this article so far. Add your comment
casca72 Comment left 14th August 2012 21:09:13 reply
I need a Kluson 538 set in gold.. any help appreciated
I need a Kluson 538 set in gold.. any help appreciated