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 Original 1960's Gibson EB-3 Tuners Complete set includes Nuts & Washers
Ellenville, New York, 124**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$400
This Vintage Original 1960's Gibson EB-3 Vintage Original 1960's Gibson EB-3 Tuners Complete set includes Nuts & Washers comes from my Vintage 1969 -1970 EB-3.
I purchased this bass in 1989 from the original owner, who told me he bought it new from the music store as a teen, in the 1960's. The item and accompanying pieces are exactly what were on the bass when I bought it in 1989. My friend who worked for Gibson for many decades confirmed the year of the bass was most likely 1965 - ... more
I purchased this bass in 1989 from the original owner, who told me he bought it new from the music store as a teen, in the 1960's. The item and accompanying pieces are exactly what were on the bass when I bought it in 1989. My friend who worked for Gibson for many decades confirmed the year of the bass was most likely 1965 - ... more
Vtg 1970s Gibson Bass Guitar Tuner Bushing Ripper G-3 Grabber L9-S RD NICKEL
Plano, Texas, 750**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$55
Vtg 1970s Gibson Bass Tuner Bushing Ripper G-3 Grabber L9-S RD NICKEL finish, Normal light vintage wear, one bushing as shown, SEE DIMENSIONS FOR YOUR FIT, THANKS for looking!
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Vintage 1960's USA Gibson Bass Guitar Tuner Bushing Ferrule KG EB Kalamazoo
Plano, Texas, 750**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$69
Vintage 1960's USA Gibson Bass Guitar Tuner Bushing Ferrule ?? Steel alloy construction, chrome finish, normal vintage wear with patina. See all pics for dimensions-fit for your application, Original KG EB Kalamazoo Part. Thanks for looking!
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Vintage (1) Single Schaller Bass Guitar Tuner Kramer Bass Gibson EB0 Low Side
Port Charlotte, Florida, 339**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$33
This is a Single Vintage Schaller Bass Guitar Tuner from 1 1970s Kramer Bass Guitar Also used on some Vintage Gibson EB0 basses Made in Germany There is some normal vintage wear as seen in the pictures Please look at all the pictures Sold As Is All Sales Final No Returns Buyer pays shipping, thanks... more
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
Vintage Gibson Firebird Bass Guitar / Banjo Tuners by Kluson for Project
Portland, Maine, 041**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$200
Vintage set of four Gibson Firebird Bass Guitar / Banjo Tuners by Kluson for Project two have the "T" on the back and the other two hava "B" on the back I added the Nickle grommets / bushings that fit the shaft but non original... 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
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SINGLE Vintage 80s GIBSON Schaller Bass Machine Head / Tuner, Aged Gold, 2 of 2
St Austell, Cornwall, PL26***, UNITED KINGDOM
£39
For sale is a SINGLE original vintage 1980s era GIBSON branded modern style Bass Guitar machine head with split style stringing post, in a naturally aged gold finish.
Complete with its original screw-in bushing, washer and a period gold plated fitting screw
Made for Gibson USA by Schaller West Germany
This unit is for the E A Bass side of a 2+2 Headstock, or a regular right handed style headstock
I??m clearing out my ?MIJ / vintage?? parts box as I haven??t had ... more
Complete with its original screw-in bushing, washer and a period gold plated fitting screw
Made for Gibson USA by Schaller West Germany
This unit is for the E A Bass side of a 2+2 Headstock, or a regular right handed style headstock
I??m clearing out my ?MIJ / vintage?? parts box as I haven??t had ... 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
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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