Kramer 450B machine head (tuner) upgrade.

[bcbrian]

My e string tuner gears stripped and was told that Schaller in their early days used guitar tuners and partially modified them for basses and where prone to stripping. According to a tech at Hipshot Products, who modified my e tuner to a drop d, the Schaller M4 has the same internals (also prone to stripping?). The holding pin is in a different location also than the originals. The Schaller M4 2000 angle 90 degree model appears to be the same as the original tuners and the distance measurement to the holding pin seems the same. Has anyone used any of the latest model tuners, for the 450B in particular, from Schaller with success? Thanks for any replies or suggestions.

[WickedHead]

I have a 350B Kramer Bass with exactly the same problem, but I was wondering if the bushing/shaft cover was the same diameter on the newer M4 2000 machines? The vintage (1976 - Made in W Germany) machine heads have an 11mm or 7/16" shaft bushing and I think the newer ones have a 14mm shaft bushing? - That would mean drilling out the head stock holes which would be a shame but I really need a solution as quickly as possible as this is my fav bass.