The Steel Guitar Forum

Hi Everybody,

I want to thank all the folks that have responded to my Emmons Lagrande Mechanical Issue, especially Jerry Roller, Bobby Boggs and Johnny Harris. You guys have been great. So what was found to be the possible problem, well for starters the apron back edge has a notch worn into it from the G# finger. I have sent these pictures along for other forumites to see. Today I took the piece to a welder/machinist who works on aircraft parts to be TIG welded and milled. I will let you know how all of this turns out. Also I plan on getting a couple of new return spring plates from Emmons when I can get ahold of them.
Thanks everyone. Richard Bachler

Richard
when this first came up as a problem on your steel
did you happen to notice if the string anchor
pin was sticking up just a little compared
to the others on your changer?
mine is on my legrande
so far no problem but it may turn into one
thanks for letting me know in advance
mike

Years ago when that happened to my Emmons....we bent a thin piece of aluminum that length....and wedged it on and it will never happen again.
Ricky

Mike,

Good call on the string pin, had not thought of that but will definitely check that out once I get the guitar back together.

Ricky,

That is a good idea the thin strip of aluminum. I thought about JB aluminum weld as well.


I was just out in the garage where I am soaking the spring anchor plates with the springs attached in Simple Green, it is working wonders getting all of the black mung off, and have realized that when they produced the spring plates that the one I have has a slight raised edge from the cutting tool/shear on the side, I will take a file to this to make the plate sit level in the back plate/apron.

It was mentioned to me in earlier posts that perhaps the reason the groove was cut in the back plate is because maybe the finger is sneaking under the spring plate, I will be checking this out as well and it has been suggested to bend this plate slightly to catch the fingers, won't be able to check this out until I get the apron back from the welder.

More later. Richard

Thanks guys.

No it's not the finger fault....it is the fault of the inferior casting metal that the finger is hitting. It will always happen no matter what finger position or finger you use....putting that thin piece of aluminum (and yes JB weld would be perfect to hold) in there for the final fix.
Ricky