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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1960s Gibson Firebird Banjo Tuning Gear Tuners 1950s EB1 Bass 70s Bicentennial
Buffalo, New York, 142**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$50
. Out of an old collection of parts See pictures ask questions
All items sold as is where is. No returns exchanges or refunds
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All items sold as is where is. No returns exchanges or refunds
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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
Vintage SINGLE Large Bass Kluson Deluxe Tuner, Chrome Button, 1940??s, 1950??s
Hendersonville, North Carolina, 287**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$34
Vintage SINGLE Large Bass Kluson Deluxe Tuner, Chrome Button, 1940??s, 1950??s
Complete good tuner
See photos for condition.
Selling as found and as is. Thanks for looking!
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Complete good tuner
See photos for condition.
Selling as found and as is. Thanks for looking!
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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
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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Four 1981 Gibson VICTORY Bass no screw TUNERS 4 in Line
Miami, Florida, 331**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$230
These came off of a 1981 Victory Standard Bass. These did not come with screws. They're pretty clean for their age with some nicks and minor pitting. Original bushings and washers included. A previous owner marked them "G, D, A, E" on the underside. It shouldn't matter, but I left the markings anyway
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1970's-80's Gibson Nickel Plate BASS Tuner BUSHINGS for Grabber G-3 Ripper RD EB
Miami, Florida, 331**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$100
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 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 my items to many countries other than USA, but I ask that all buyers contact me before making a purchase. Foreign ... more
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 ... more
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.
... more
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 Shiny Gibson 1970's-80's Treble Side TUNER For EB-3 Grabber Ripper RD
Miami, Florida, 331**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$80
This one is clean and looks like it could be chrome instead of the usual nickel. It's really hard to tell. Scratches and wear, but Shiny!
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
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
SINGLE Vintage 80s GIBSON Schaller Bass Machine Head / Tuner, Aged Gold, 1 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
... 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