reversing mechanism

Phillip Ogle · From: North Carolina, USA

Has any one ever seen a reversing mechanism. Kinda crude but could be improved. It is or was on an old homemade guitar which I salvaged. Could add a roller to reduce friction and wear.

Ron Pruter · From: Arizona, USA

I forgot who, but companies are putting rollers at that junction.
Phil, Do you have a thread or listing of all the things you are making or are willing to make for people? Do you kind of specialize on MSA? This kind of looks like an Emmons. Correct? Ron
_________________
Emmons SKH Le Grande, '73 Fender P/J bass, Tick tack bass, Regal high strung, USA Nashville 112.

Phillip Ogle · From: North Carolina, USA

Yes, I work on msa parts mainly, but a lot of other guitars are very similar. A lot of mfgrs have used msa ideas. Reese was a steel guitar genius. Answer to question #2. The old guitar in my post had emmons bell cranks and and a few similar parts. The changer is listed on forum under changer,if you would to take a look at it. I still build the same all pull tripple raise and tripple lower. Shoot me an email, and I will give you a list of my parts.

Or call anytime @ 828 442 2011

Phillip Ogle · From: North Carolina, USA

Yes, I work on msa parts mainly, but a lot of other guitars are very similar. A lot of mfgrs have used msa ideas. Reese was a steel guitar genius. Answer to question #2. The old guitar in my post had emmons bell cranks and and a few similar parts. The changer is listed on forum under changer,if you would to take a look at it. I still build the same all pull tripple raise and tripple lower. Shoot me an email, and I will give you a list of my parts.

Or call anytime @ 828 442 2011

Phillip Ogle · From: North Carolina, USA

Yes, I work on msa parts mainly, but a lot of other guitars are very similar. A lot of mfgrs have used msa ideas. Reese was a steel guitar genius. Answer to question #2. The old guitar in my post had emmons bell cranks and and a few similar parts. The changer is listed on forum under changer,if you would to take a look at it. I still build the same all pull tripple raise and tripple lower. Shoot me an email, and I will give you a list of my parts.

Or call anytime @ 828 442 2011

Les Cargill · From: Oklahoma City, Ok, USA

It reminds me of the reversers on a Carter Starter. It is not identical to them, but that's the same basic principle.

Chris Lucker · From: Los Angeles, California USA

Blanton used that style of reverse. I have seen it on other smaller brands as well.
_________________
Chris Lucker
Red Bellies, Bigsbys and a lot of other guitars.

Bob Carlucci · From: Candor, New York, USA

I had the same setup on a pro model Carter.. It worked ok, but wore and got so rough, the lever actually stayed engaged at one point.. I added white grease at the contact area, and never had another proble,.. It should work fine as pictured, but I would lubricate the areas where metal to metal contact is made.... bob
_________________
I'm over the hill and hittin'rocks on the way down!

no gear list for me.. you don't have the time......

Richard Sinkler · From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

The Carter is similar, but not the same. The lever that is attached to the knee lever is underneath the lever attached to the shaft with the bellcranks. So, when you hit the knee lever, the arm lifts the arm on the cross shaft. Pretty much the opposite of the one in your pic.

Knee lever at rest

Knee lever activated

_________________
Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 55 years and still counting.

Pete Burak · From: Portland, OR USA

There are a few brands that eliminate the reversing mechanism by putting the bellcrank on the top side of the crossrod.
BMI comes to mind.
The right-moving knee-lever cross-rods are farther away from the body than the others, allowing for the bell-crank to be above the cross-rod.
The RKR on one of my Sierra's is modded to be like this, and it is the best feeling right-moving knee lever I have ever felt (due to no reversing mechanism).

Here is a pic of a BMI, Note the LKR cross rod is farther away from the body, and the bellcranks are on top of it, instead of below it, thereby eliminating the need for a revising mechanism and allowing for a more direct pull/feel.

Chris Lucker · From: Los Angeles, California USA

Here is the reversing mechanism on the first Blanton. Jerry built this guitar in 1964. I am not pointing to anything. I am holding up the knee lever.

_________________
Chris Lucker
Red Bellies, Bigsbys and a lot of other guitars.

Bent Romnes · From: London,Ontario, Canada

Philip,
I use the same style on my steels. On the driving part I installed a sealed ball bearing that runs in a machined track in the driven part. Works great.

_________________
BenRom Pedal Steel Guitars
https://www.facebook.com/groups/212050572323614/

John Billings · From: Ohio, USA

Best "reverser" I've ever come across. Performance guitars.

Bob Carlucci · From: Candor, New York, USA

Dustin Rigsby · From: Parts Unknown, Ohio

Yeah John, the performance undercarriage was truly an innovation. Someone should try to talk Jerry into going back into production.
_________________
D.S. Rigsby

Jim Pitman · From: Waterbury Ctr. VT 05677 USA

In general I think many pedal steels have the situation whereby aluminum is rubbing on aluminum. Typically the mechanical advantage at these points is such that that friction is kinda negligible for the first half a decade or so.
When I show the undercarriage to my mechanical enginnering friends the first theing they point out is the wear that can occur with aluminum on aluminum. From first hand experience I can vouch for that. Oil and aluminum makes a black surry of sorts.
It's certainly an area that could be improved upon. Even a material change would go a long way. You see this sometimes with nylon being substitued for one of the materials - yeah!
I'm not convinced you would notice a change in ease of pedal action but you would defiinately see less wear over time.

Bent Romnes · From: London,Ontario, Canada

Martin Weenick · From: Lecanto, FL, USA

I also make my reversing gizmo with ball bearings. This is my newest with a short throw. Lots of leverage and a very short throw for the lever. Also my new half stop for the 2 nd. string. I got tired of fooling with little springs and tiny allen wrenchs to adjust every thing. The plunger barrel comes out when you loosen the set screw on the side of the barrel and the screw in back can adjust the barrel in or out. The barrel also has a screw on cap on the back of the barrel that you take off and insert and kind of spring you want. The top screw is the stop adjustment screw. It works smooth as glass. This is my first all ball bearing guitar, I believe it has about 28 ball bearings in it. Everything works very smoothly. ( that's not my guitar you are looking at , that's the top of my work bench.) Martin.

_________________
Several custom steels. NV-112 Boss DD-7

Bob Carlucci · From: Candor, New York, USA

Bent Romnes · From: London,Ontario, Canada

Martin's work and design is simply astounding. I agree, Bob, I agree that this work is a standard we should see on all guitars. Pretty hard to match Martin's quality!
_________________
BenRom Pedal Steel Guitars
https://www.facebook.com/groups/212050572323614/

Larry Waisner · Posted 31 Mar 2014 12:39 pm **reversing mechanism**

I have been restoring Sho~Buds and older pedal steels using sealed bearings on all cross shafts and reversing mechanism's for the past seven years.It sure makes them more quiet and smoother to play and even adds to the tone. This is a Professional I just finished last week.

Forum Index > Pedal Steel		Next oldest topic :: Next newest topic