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Topic: Problem with knee lever |
Malcolm Cochrane
From:
United Kingdom
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Posted 27 Oct 2007 12:25 pm |
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This is my first post so hello to everyone.
I use a MSA Classic XL S-10 E9 which has needed some repair work done on it recently.
All the pull rods have been replaced. Now the RKR, which drops the 3rd and 6th strings to G, is not working properly.
It doesn't detune the strings all the way and when I increase the travel on the lever it goes down then before reaching G it raises the pitch slightly. This happens on both strings.
I'm no expert, does anyone have suggestions?
Malcolm. |
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Casey Lowmiller
From:
Kansas
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Posted 27 Oct 2007 12:30 pm
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With the pitch raising slightly, I would think that the springs need tightened.
I could be wrong...I'm not a steel mechanic at all.
Casey
_________________
Known Coast to Coast as
"The Man with The Plan" |
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Malcolm Cochrane
From:
United Kingdom
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Posted 27 Oct 2007 12:34 pm
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Thanks Casey.
My next question has to be, how do you tighten the springs? |
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Darvin Willhoite
From:
Roxton, Tx. USA
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Posted 27 Oct 2007 1:17 pm
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On the MSA's, you have to cut off a coil or two to get more tension.
_________________
Darvin Willhoite
MSA Millennium, Legend, and Studio Pro, Reese's restored Universal Direction guitar, a restored MSA Classic SS, several amps, new and old, and a Kemper Powerhead that I am really liking. Also a Zum D10, a Mullen RP, and a restored Rose S10, named the "Blue Bird". Also, I have acquired and restored the plexiglass D10 MSA Classic that was built as a demo in the early '70s. I also have a '74 lacquer P/P, with wood necks, and a showroom condition Sho-Bud Super Pro. |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 27 Oct 2007 2:35 pm
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Tightening (shortening) the springs will probably make the problem worse! In most instances, I have found this problem is actually caused by the return springs being too tight or too strong. When the lowering lever is being activated, look at the raise lever for the same string. If it's moving away from the stop when the lower reaches the end of it's travel, the spring is too tight.
The problem can be fixed by stretching the spring slightly, or by replacing the lowering spring with a lighter one. |
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Mike Wheeler
From:
Delaware, Ohio, USA
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Posted 28 Oct 2007 7:46 am
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Welcome, Malcolm. I don't think the lower springs are the problem. They only keep the lower finger in place as a raise is activated.
I suspect the lowering pull rod is possibly rubbing against a raise rod as the lower reaches the end of it's pull...or some similar interference. It's also possible there is a bind in the changer finger preventing the proper free travel of the fingers.
Incorrect string gauges could require more pull distance than the changer is capable of. A standard E9th set would not cause such a problem, though. Just a thought.
Remember the MSA mechanism needs to have some "slop" in the pulls. In other words, the pull rods need to move freely at least 1/8th of an inch with no pulls activated.
In any case, careful observation of the mechanism while lowering the 3rd and 6th should reveal where the raise effect is coming from.
_________________
Best regards,
Mike |
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Bent Romnes
From:
London,Ontario, Canada
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Posted 28 Oct 2007 9:14 am
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Mike W, Malcolm,
Improper spring tension does indeed affect the raise/lower in a big way. This is exactly the problem I am having with my homebuilt so I kind of learned this the hard way and can vouch for the accuracy of this claim.
Besides, ask anyone who builds/repairs these beasts  |
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John Fabian
From:
Mesquite, Texas USA * R.I.P.
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Posted 28 Oct 2007 10:02 am
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Donny's answer is usually correct.
The other causes could be lack of lubrication of the scissors and control finger or wear on the aluminum stop plate. If the stop plate has grooves in it. Remove it and flip it over so the other side contacts the scissor fingers. |
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Malcolm Cochrane
From:
United Kingdom
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Posted 8 Nov 2007 1:30 pm
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Thanks for all the replies, it's taken me a while to find the time to have a good look at the guitar, but now I have I thought I better post my results for anyone who may have the same experience.
The knee bar was moving the finger that lowers the pitch, then the raise finger as well.
It was the spring tension that was causing the problem.
After stretching the spring I managed to drop the strings the full semitone.
I also found that you don't need to stretch the springs much at all or the lower finger won't be held in place when you raise the strings.
The knee bar is also at a much more comfortable tension for playing now, I'll need to adjust the springs on my E lever as well.
Thanks again, Malcolm. |
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