Emmons Push/Pull Drop Spring

Lana Carroll · Post by **Lana Carroll** » 16 May 2014 4:43 am

I broke one of the drop return springs that holds the lowers in place on the changer in my push/pull. I think I found a replacement spring but I imagine this could happen again so I want to be prepared. It's my understanding that Emmons does not have any in stock. Anyone have a few extras they'd be willing to sell me, or suggestions on where I can pick up a few?

I'm also looking for fixes or tips on how to deal with this issue. I only found one other thread on this from before which is helpful.

http://steelguitarforum.com/Forum5/HTML/011631.html

Thank you - Lana Carroll

Jack Stepick · Post by **Jack Stepick** » 16 May 2014 4:49 am

Contact John Widgren who's a member of the forum. He's an expert on steel repair and especially push/pulls.

Eric Philippsen · Post by **Eric Philippsen** » 16 May 2014 6:13 am

It's been my experience that push/pull drop return springs rarely break. In fact, I've never had one break. But, of course, Jack's experience proves that those situations do occur.

I'm sure that if you put a Wanted-to-Buy posting here on the Forum for a couple of drop springs you'd get several replies. I do not think they are rare or particularly hard to find, at least not like p/p bell cranks.

Jim Palenscar · Post by **Jim Palenscar** » 16 May 2014 6:44 am

I have some at the shop.

Lana Carroll · Post by **Lana Carroll** » 16 May 2014 7:10 am

Thanks Jim! I will be in touch off-list.

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 16 May 2014 8:16 am

are emmons bellcranks hard to find? i've got quite a few stashed from all of my p/p tinkering endeavors. i pretty much hoard little steel guitar parts.
what's the going rate for the bellcranks?

i may have run out of extra original collars.

Eric Philippsen · Post by **Eric Philippsen** » 16 May 2014 9:56 am

Chris,

Email sent.

Thanks.

John Swain · Post by **John Swain** » 16 May 2014 1:36 pm

If the string doesn't lower you can run the lower adjusting screw all the way in.

Cartwright Thompson · Post by **Cartwright Thompson** » 16 May 2014 3:18 pm

I've owned/played four P/P's over the last ten years, and had two springs break on me. In each case I was able to re-bend the broken spring and re-use it without any problems. it's a little tricky getting it back in there and adjusting the tension, but it worked for me.

Larry Behm · Post by **Larry Behm** » 17 May 2014 7:42 am

John has the answer. You can steel one from the F# if you don't lower it.

Larry Behm

Jerry Jones · Post by **Jerry Jones** » 17 May 2014 8:18 am

For my 67' Emmons, I was able to obtain a few of the spring parts from MSC Industrial Supply (mscdirect.com). The part number for the lowering spring is 06979686

If you use these springs from MSC, you will have to concoct a wire connector between the lower spring and the lower finger. That's the way my old Emmons was configured.

robert kramer · Post by **robert kramer** » 17 May 2014 3:07 pm

I had one break with no spares. I think bent a hook in the end of the broken end of the spring so it would re-attach to the lower return spring rod. Then I tuned the changer again by pulling the spring until the finger hit the body + 1/4". Then I tightened the collar with the allen wrench and a pliers. I suggest you keep all 10 lower return springs on each neck to balance the changer.

Jerry Jones - thanks for the link to new springs.

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Emmons Push/Pull Drop Spring

Emmons Push/Pull Drop Spring

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