New (to me) Fender 400 and some questions

M. Esta Theobald · Post by **M. Esta Theobald** » 26 Jul 2007 6:10 pm

Fellow forum member Garry McDonnell of Georgia was recently kind enough to sell me this excellent sounding early Fender 400 in a strange kind of aqua blue color. I am curious if it has been others experience that the output volume of this guitar is low. Everything sounds excellent, but I noticed that it is significantly lower in volume than my sho bud pro1. I have not measured the impedance of the pickup since my meter battery appears to be dead. Plugged into my twin reverb this guitar has superb vintage tone. I set it up with the top 8 strings of an E9 but tuned to D9 with the 1st pedal raising E's to F, second B to C#, third G#'s to A, and fourth lowering E's to D#. I did this because I had the strings on hand and I knew it was something I could play with my limited but hopefully improving ability. I think that I would love to try out some of sneaky Pete's B6, and I have read a lot of suggestions in different threads about that topic, but am open to further ideas as well. I am also looking for some parts, especially two kluson tuners, one or two pedal setups, but I will post a seperate thread in the wanted section for that enterprise. Hopefully these pics will upload nicely, thanks again to Garry!
PS nope the pictures won't take, just getting an error messageeven though they are appropriately resized. Never tried this before.

M. Esta Theobald · Post by **M. Esta Theobald** » 26 Jul 2007 6:22 pm

Jim Sliff · Post by **Jim Sliff** » 27 Jul 2007 5:36 am

Esta - I don't have time to post details right now, but I'll try later...or email me and I'll try to help you. Quickly - you can't replace single tuners, the're on a 4-tuner strip. There may be some alternatives...more later.

Jim Sliff · Post by **Jim Sliff** » 27 Jul 2007 7:45 pm

OK, here's a pic of the tuner setp - as you can see, there's a strip of 4 tuners. Unfortunately, it matches nothing currently avalable that I am aware of. I was goingto try some stock Kluson Deluxe knockoffs last weekend but didn't get time; I'll take another shot this weekend.

What is the exact problem with the old tuners, though? -Sometimes they can be renewed failry well witha torough cleaning and lube job.

I'll try to check the other thread...I think I may have already.

The shafts are slightly longer than stock Deluxes and the holes in a different place; but they MAY fit. I'll let you know, and also if I figure out a solid way to secure them.[/list]

M. Esta Theobald · Post by **M. Esta Theobald** » 27 Jul 2007 8:41 pm

Hi Jim, one is bent but works just fine, the other slips whenever it comes around to a certain point in the gear. Of course, it works as well, but not well. I pulled the tuning pan out and it appears that you could find a single tuner and install it on the strip if it was an exact match. Anyway, thanks for your generous assistance, what do you think about lower pickup volume on 400's(as opposed to other guitars), is that abnormal? (certainly it still sounds excellent) Ciau, Esta

Jim Sliff · Post by **Jim Sliff** » 27 Jul 2007 9:50 pm

it appears that you could find a single tuner and install it on the strip if it was an exact match.

That's the problem - you won't find an exact match, as the Kluson-types sold nowadays are made for 6-string and the shafts are too short, plus there's no simple way to mount them. You really have to think about replacing the entire 8-string set and working out a nut-secured mounting system..