Dead string

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Don DeMaio
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Dead string

Post by Don DeMaio »

A few months ago I bought a 1960-or-so National lap off a fellow on eBay. I knew it needed work, just from looking at the photos. (The item is listed at http://tinyurl.com/3qegpeg )

Now I find it's one dead string: the 4th. Can anyone tell me what that means? Does it mean the tuner is kerfloohy, or is it a bad string, etc.?

Appreciate any help I can get. Thanks.

Don[/url]
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Charlie Vegas
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Post by Charlie Vegas »

Raise the pole/screw for that string.
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Frank James Pracher
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Post by Frank James Pracher »

If its a plain string try changing to a wound string. I have had problems with the heavier plain strings sounding dead. Pole pieces can be an issue also. If you adjust them make sure you have a screwdriver that fits well,and be gentle as I have seem more than a few a these with the screw slot busted.
Looks similar to my Oahu, and that thing kills for open E or G.
Enjoy!!
"Don't be mad honey, but I bought another one"
William W Western
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Post by William W Western »

Hey, here's it's twin.
Image
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Don DeMaio
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Post by Don DeMaio »

By pole/screw do you mean the little screw on the tuner under the string?
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CrowBear Schmitt
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Post by CrowBear Schmitt »

Charlie means the pole screw on the pick up Don
try raising it a bit & see if the sound on that string improves
with the volume off does the string resonate or does it sound dead ?
you could try another string
yes wound string can be duller in volume but nevertheless, they ring through a pick up
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Don DeMaio
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Post by Don DeMaio »

Frank James Pracher wrote:If its a plain string try changing to a wound string. I have had problems with the heavier plain strings sounding dead. Pole pieces can be an issue also. If you adjust them make sure you have a screwdriver that fits well,and be gentle as I have seem more than a few a these with the screw slot busted.
Looks similar to my Oahu, and that thing kills for open E or G.
Enjoy!!
Thanks for the alert. I just busted it. Guess I'll have to drill it out, now. Wow, those old screws are about as sturdy as dust.
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Don DeMaio
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Post by Don DeMaio »

William W Western wrote:Hey, here's it's twin.
Image
Hi, William. Any idea what kind of tuner these things have? The reason I ask is that I may have to replace mine. I love the sound but I've got this dead string (now the 5th; I replaced the 4th and it sounds fine but now my 5th is on the blink.)
William W Western
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Joined: 14 Apr 2000 12:01 am
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Post by William W Western »

Sorry, I don't know. I do notice you are missing the one piece covers that screw onto the tuners on each bottom side. They have the National logo embossed on them. The pickup cover plate would be easy enough to duplicate on a brake metal machine. Whats the serial number on the plate at the top back of the neck?
>Hi, William. Any idea what kind of tuner these things have? The reason I ask is that I may have to replace mine. I love the sound but I've got this dead string (now the 5th; I replaced the 4th and it sounds fine but now my 5th is on the blink.
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Charlie Vegas
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Post by Charlie Vegas »

Don DeMaio wrote:Thanks for the alert. I just busted it. Guess I'll have to drill it out, now. Wow, those old screws are about as sturdy as dust.
I broke a screw on one of my Supro pickups. I very carefully disassembled the pickup, sprayed the broken screw with electrical cleaner/lubricant, and removed it with a pair of vice grips. The coil wire and bobbin are fragile and must be handled with care.

I found replacement screws at Ace Hardware.
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