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Topic: Restringing our Emmons LG 2's |
Jack Ritter
From:
Enid, Oklahoma, USA
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Posted 3 May 2010 6:59 pm |
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Have any of you steelers ever come up with an easy way to keep that ball end on the pin when installing new strings?? It almost takes a third hand when I change them. After I measure and cut I use my needle nose pliers and bend a sharp 90 degree on the key end of the string which keeps it in place there very well. It is when I try to keep tension on the string with my left hand and my right hand finger holding the ball end on the pin and then reaching for my electric drill with my left that I have the trouble. Maybe it's because I am semi-left handed! Boy, I hope I explained all this well enuff.
Got any suggestions?? Jack
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Zum D10 8x5,rev pre-amp, TC M300, Split 12, n-112, IZZY, Hilton vp, Geo L, BJS Hughey, Live Steel |
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Jerry Overstreet
From:
Louisville Ky
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John Bechtel
From:
Nashville, Tennessee, R.I.P.
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Posted 3 May 2010 8:05 pm Installing new strings on the Bridge~Pins
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Jack; Here's what I started doing back around ’89. I went to a store that deals in tuning pianos and bought one of those tapered rubber wedges that a piano-tuner slips between unison-strings when tuning. If you slip the rubber-wedge between the pin and the end of the cut-out, it will wedge into the space and the ball-end will stay pinched onto the pin. But, you still need to check while tightening the string to make sure the ball-end remains against the finger. If the ball-end slips part way off of the pin, it's possible to break off the pin! Then the finger will need to be replaced. Trust me, that happened once to one of my guitars and I had to send it for repairs! That's when I got this present idea for holding it in place! It's kinda like a finger of a third hand!
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<marquee> Go~Daddy~Go, (No), Go, It's your Break Time</marquee> L8R, jb
My T-10 Remington Steelmaster |
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Tony Glassman
From:
The Great Northwest
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Posted 3 May 2010 9:18 pm
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| Jerry Overstreet wrote: |
http://www.shopwiki.com/GENERAL%27S+Pencil+Eraser+Caps
One of these stuck down in the gap between the finger and end plate/neck works pretty good to hold the string ball on. |
Great idea. For years I would cut off the string end first and wind it on the tuning post a wrap or two. Then while maintaining tension w/ my left hand, put the ball end on and turn the tuning key w/ my right.
I switched to those little triangular foam sponges my wife uses for something to do w/ her makeup. You can wedge them in as you described, but your erasers seem like a better idea. |
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John Lacey
From:
Black Diamond, Alberta, Canada
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Posted 4 May 2010 5:19 am
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| Great idea."For years I would cut off the string end first and wind it on the tuning post a wrap or two. Then while maintaining tension w/ my left hand, put the ball end on and turn the tuning key w/ my right." Exactly, Tony, PLUS, bend the ballend of the string slightly so it doesn't come out as easy. |
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Mike Wilson
From:
Mansfield, Ohio, USA
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Posted 4 May 2010 6:42 am
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| A piece of a spring loaded wooden clothespin works good too |
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Ryan Barwin
From:
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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Posted 4 May 2010 6:52 am
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I cut the string to length first, then hold the string (around where the nut is) with my right hand while I wind it with my left, using one of those tuner crank tools. Then once it's wound most of the way and secure, I'll put the ball end on the pin with my left hand, and hold the string with my right hand to maintain tension while I finish tightening the string. Seems to work fine.
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www.pedalsteel.ca |
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Jack Ritter
From:
Enid, Oklahoma, USA
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Posted 4 May 2010 6:52 am
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BY golly thanx for the help, guys. I am gonna get something going today. Sounds like some good ideas. Regards---Jack
_________________
Zum D10 8x5,rev pre-amp, TC M300, Split 12, n-112, IZZY, Hilton vp, Geo L, BJS Hughey, Live Steel |
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Jerry Overstreet
From:
Louisville Ky
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Posted 4 May 2010 7:19 am
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Clothes pin idea is a good one too. Just about anything that'll fit and not scratch or mar your guitar will work.
One of the best things about putting your string on the pin first and wedging, is that you don't have to fight twisting the ball end around later to keep the sharp barb end of plain strings opposite the finger. Technique works well with slotted fingers as well.
You can pick up a pack of 10 or 25 pencil erasers for a couple bucks. You can also use them to polish the finger when you are putting on new strings.
Stick one of these on a pencil and you can accomplish both chores with the same tool. |
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john widgren
From:
Wilton CT
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Posted 4 May 2010 7:40 am Caution!!!
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I use an eraser...but do be advised: When using an eraser or shim of any type while changing strings, it is important to not put a lot of pressure on the pin. I have done plenty of repairs for broken changer pins. Avoid the misery and expense, of this repair by being very careful, and taking it easy.
_________________
Steel Guitar Services:
Live performance and recording. Instruments, repairs and lessons. Fresh bait/discount sushi.
(203) 858-8498
widcj@hotmail.com |
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Tony Glassman
From:
The Great Northwest
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Posted 4 May 2010 11:28 pm Re: Caution!!!
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| john widgren wrote: |
| I use an eraser...but do be advised: When using an eraser or shim of any type while changing strings, it is important to not put a lot of pressure on the pin. I have done plenty of repairs for broken changer pins. Avoid the misery and expense, of this repair by being very careful, and taking it easy. |
I did that! I broke a pin off my 10th string p/p C6th neck by not realizing that the ball end was at the end of the pin. It sheared off right at the changer finger. Had to do a temporarily fix by drilling a new hole just below the old one and tapping in a another pin.
Pulling the changer on a push-pull is a fairly big job, so at that point I decided to go all out and do an entire re-build which was fun but, Lesson learned! |
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Paul E. Brennan
From:
Dublin, Ireland
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Posted 5 May 2010 2:52 am
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| I use one of the handles of my pliers to hold the string on the changer pin. Just put the string ball on the pin then take one of the pliers handles and balance/wedge it between the pin and the end-plate. The weight of the pliers will ensure a tight enough grip on the ball. I use a small, light pliers so there's no danger of too much force being applied and damaging the pin. |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 5 May 2010 4:13 am
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I have a wedge that appears to be some type of soft rubber material that I bought from some guys from Illinois that were selling them at the ISGC many years ago. My Franklin is the same way as the Emmons, it has pegs for the ball end.
Put the ball end on the peg, slide the wedge in to hold the ball end on and your hands are free to finish the job. |
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Harry Dove
From:
Michigan, USA
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Posted 6 May 2010 8:56 pm
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| Tony, How does that Bushmaster guitar sound? LOL |
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John Bechtel
From:
Nashville, Tennessee, R.I.P.
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Posted 6 May 2010 9:17 pm
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That's what I've been doing with my piano-tuning rubber wedge since 1990! It works very well! It's like having 2-hands + an extra-finger! haha!
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<marquee> Go~Daddy~Go, (No), Go, It's your Break Time</marquee> L8R, jb
My T-10 Remington Steelmaster |
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Tony Glassman
From:
The Great Northwest
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Posted 6 May 2010 10:35 pm
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| Harry Dove wrote: |
| Tony, How does that Bushmaster guitar sound? LOL |
It's killer!  |
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Jack Ritter
From:
Enid, Oklahoma, USA
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Posted 7 May 2010 6:14 am
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Thanks again for all the great ideas. A piano tuner here is gonna have me a tuner wedge this weekend. I bet this will simplify changing strings a bunch.
_________________
Zum D10 8x5,rev pre-amp, TC M300, Split 12, n-112, IZZY, Hilton vp, Geo L, BJS Hughey, Live Steel |
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Billy McCombs
From:
Bakersfield California, USA
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Posted 7 May 2010 9:19 am
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These rubber door stops work  
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78 Emmons PP,Great tone.82 Emmons SKH #56 |
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Jack Ritter
From:
Enid, Oklahoma, USA
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Posted 7 May 2010 9:30 am
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Great idea Billy, I bet they will. Gonna give it a try. Jack
_________________
Zum D10 8x5,rev pre-amp, TC M300, Split 12, n-112, IZZY, Hilton vp, Geo L, BJS Hughey, Live Steel |
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Bo Borland
From:
South Jersey -
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Posted 7 May 2010 12:39 pm
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| Having had both types slotted fingers like an MSA and pins .. I prefer the slots but have little problems restrings either. ... now a slot headed Dobro .. that's another story.. |
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Herb Steiner
From:
Briarcliff TX 78669, pop. 2,064
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Posted 7 May 2010 2:57 pm
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I use the Ryan Barwin method. When onstage, amidst the heat and din of musical battle, I don't have time to futz with a rubber wedge! Onward! Give them the cold steel, boys!!! 
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My rig: Infinity and Telonics.
Son, we live in a world with walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with steel guitars. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg? |
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Hook Moore
From:
South Charleston,West Virginia
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