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Author Topic:  replacing/repairing a single changer finger
Winnie Winston

 

From:
Tawa, Wellington, NZ * R.I.P.
Post  Posted 9 Oct 2003 4:36 pm    
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I was looking through some old "Steel Guitar Player" magazines, and I came across a "how to fix it" column by *me*. Gad.
In one of the 1980 issues, I talk about dropping a single finger from the changer, without having to take the whole guitar apart, and thought of the quest (on this list) about fixing a broken string ball pin...
I say in the article that I've done this three times. I remember none of them. Early onset memory loss...
Basically, the process is this:
* Find a steel rod that is the diameter of the changer axle.
* Mark the rod to the depth of the far side of the finger you want to remove.
* Loosen all the strings
* Remove the string on the finger you wish to drop, and remove the return spring.
* press the rod in from one side, pushing the changer axle out the other
* when the rod is now supporting the finger in question, pull it back until the finger drops out.
* when all the work is done, place the finger back and press the axle through.

Make sense?

Winnie

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C Dixon

 

From:
Duluth, GA USA
Post  Posted 9 Oct 2003 4:57 pm    
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Winnie,

I remember it well. As well as remember many of the great tips you have shared so freely with us for 30 yrs! One of the one's I remember very well, was when you told us how to get a 4 raise out of a 3 raise 3 lower changer, by sacrificing one of the lower holes and using a little block on the outside of the changer fingers. A most clever device.

You have been a treasure of information.

Thank you for being so selfless in giving us your vast knowledge on the "how to's" of our beloved instrument.

May Jesus richly bless you always,

carl
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Bill Hatcher

 

From:
Atlanta Ga. USA
Post  Posted 9 Oct 2003 8:52 pm    
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Carl.
Can you use this to get a triple raise out of a double raise/lower changer?
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Winnie Winston

 

From:
Tawa, Wellington, NZ * R.I.P.
Post  Posted 10 Oct 2003 1:10 am    
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Yes. BUT....
The raise has two holes. The Lower has two. You want three raises, you can have only ONE lower.

Carl can probably fill you in better.

JW
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Rainer Hackstaette


From:
Bohmte, Germany
Post  Posted 10 Oct 2003 4:29 am    
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Bill,

Sierra uses basically the same method to get additional raises or lowers. They call them "Tandem Pulls". I have sent you an email with a drawing and a description taken from the Sierra owner's manual.

If I can help you further, email me.

Rainer

------------------
Remington D-10 8+7, Sierra Crown D-10 gearless 8+8, Sierra Session S-14 gearless 8+5, '76 Emmons D-10 8+4, Peavey Session 400 LTD


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C Dixon

 

From:
Duluth, GA USA
Post  Posted 10 Oct 2003 5:07 am    
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Yes Bill you can. What you end up with (as Winnie says) is a 3 raise, 1 lower changer on that string. Total is still 4. At the time I first saw Winnie's write up, I flipped, because it was sooo unique and yet simple to do.

All of Winnie's writings are eloquently done. He is endowed with a rare talent for presenting highly technical things in an easily understood manner.

Also, Rainer is correct. Sierra does use a very similar approach in achieving more raises (or lowers) than there are holes in the changer. Only in this case, I don't recall that they sacrificed a hole in the changer. Not sure though.

However, this is not possible on PSG's that use closed bellcrank holes. Sierra uses an open bellcrank hole. This is how they were able to achieve their "tandem" additional pulls.

carl
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