Hard KL lower on MSA.. spring ideas??

Bob Carlucci · From: Candor, New York, USA

I put the E half tone lowers on the RKR on the MSA Classic I just picked up.. Incredibly hard to operate the lever.. actually unplayable. I can't even get the note clean, my leg starts shaking and the steel is sliding across the floor!! awul...

As this is my 5th MSA, I know the lower return springs need attention..In the past, I have stuck screwdrivers in them to seperate the coils but it looks hack.. I wonder if anyone knows of a specific type and gauge spring for this job,as oppossed to me running down to the hardware store and bringing back $30 worth of springs trying to get the right tension,,, any thoughts???... bob

Mike Wheeler · From: Delaware, Ohio, USA

Are you sure the spring is at fault, Bob? Which changer holes and puller holes are you using?

Try Unhooking the spring and see how it feels.
_________________
Best regards,
Mike

Darvin Willhoite · From: Roxton, Tx. USA

That almost sounds like a leverage problem rather than a spring problem. I have the same change on my Classic SS on the RKR and it works almost as easy as my new MSA's. There is a reversing mechanism for that lever that may need some adjustment.
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Darvin Willhoite
MSA Millennium, Legend, and Studio Pro, Reese's restored Universal Direction guitar, a restored MSA Classic SS, several amps, new and old, and a Kemper Powerhead that I am really liking. Also a Zum D10, a Mullen RP, and a restored Rose S10, named the "Blue Bird". Also, I have acquired and restored the plexiglass D10 MSA Classic that was built as a demo in the early '70s. I also have a '74 lacquer P/P, with wood necks, and a showroom condition Sho-Bud Super Pro.

Bob Carlucci · From: Candor, New York, USA

It doesn't matter.. This is a double lower changer... Started in the top lower hole, it was unworkable.. Went down to the lowest, and used the lowest hole on the pull finger, still unworkable.. This is old hat with MSA guitars for me, I have been through it a couple times, ,,, This one is WAY stiffer than the others for some reason..The guitar is in absolute pristine cond.. Looks like its unplayed, so its not wear or binding.. I posted this to see if someone has a specific spring that worked for them.. I would really hate to start bending and twisting those springs if I can help it.. It will work, but it looks dreadful... bob

Mike Wheeler · From: Delaware, Ohio, USA

Bob, if you remove the strings and unhook the springs you can manually move the changer fingers for that change, and determine if that's the source of the bind...I suspect it is.
_________________
Best regards,
Mike

Mike Wheeler · From: Delaware, Ohio, USA

Furthermore, I'll bet the lube has dried out and the two halfs of the changer fingers are binding against each other...maybe even corroded.
_________________
Best regards,
Mike

Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

Bob, I'd say it's a binding or leverage problem...it's almost got to be! I have levers on my old MSA (with original springs) doing 4 changes, and they're not that stiff.

I got some springs a few years ago which are lighter than the stock springs, and work well on some guitars I've worked on. They are available at places like Pep Boys or Home Depot. The spring UPC number is 080358185628. They are distributed by (according to the UPC data base)...

Service Supply Co., Inc.
306 Rome St., P.O. Box 9
Carrollton, GA, 30117

They're described as...

5/16" x 2-3/16" spring, extension

Harvey Richman · From: Georgia, USA

Hi, I'm a serious newbee compared with all of you guys but I had an experience that I think supports Darvin's hypothesis (I'm primarily a keyboard / guitar player who is probably better at tinkering with steels than at playing them). Anyway, I did some work on my classic (which included putting on lighter springs). After reassembly, RKR was stiffer than it was with the original spring! I checked everything I could think of. I knew the changer was OK as I had recently cleaned and lubed it. Finally I noticed that the reversing link was at a notable angle (compared with LNR). I adjusted it so that it was as vertical as possible thru its entire travel. The improvement was surprising.

Bob Carlucci · From: Candor, New York, USA

Harvey.. that is the exact same thing I found.. After my initial post, i went back out and checked the springs.. that was NOT the problem.. I found out AFTER mangling one of them!!! I also checked the angle of the levers.. The one [rkr]in question was at an angle... When I checked all the actuating rods, I also found the reversing whatchamacalit at an angle.. it was "deflecting" against one of the short 1/16 pull rods . After setting the reversing lever vertical, it was a 100% improvement.. I am an old hand on MSA guitars.. First time I had seen this happen.. It threw me for an hour or so.. Your identifying a similar problem with your self admitted limited experience was terrific..... good catch... MSA guitars are really bullet proof, and as Darvin and Donny said, it HAD to be a leverage problem, and of course it was... bob

Bill Hatcher · From: Atlanta Ga. USA

Hey Bob. Post a pic of your guitar. It is a monumental moment here on the forum when YOU get a guitar that you are happy with and meets all your expectations! Smile

Let's see it.

Bob Carlucci · From: Candor, New York, USA

Don't worry Bill.. we'll find something to hate about it before long... Its in mint cond, really looks new.. underneath too... I don't like Humbuckers on any steel, and especially MSA guitars, so I already sold the XR 16 to my friend Dave Mudgett... I am thinking of a Truetone wound with taps @ 7.5 K-11.5K and 15 K.. I talked to Jerry about it a year or so ago, and I may go that way.. The steel is too dark sounding for my taste, and needs a single coil. .. I WILL get some pics up... bob

Harvey Richman · From: Georgia, USA

Thanks for the kind words Bob. And that red MSA is B E A utiful!!!
HR

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