The Steel Guitar Forum

I have a Shobud, s10, LDG and have never cleaned the changer. Are there instructions on the forum, which would explain how to take the the changer apart and clean the fingers and all neccessary parts. Or should this be left to an expert.

R. Robichaud, If you know enough about the steel to comfortably take the pull rods off and put them back on in the right spot, then you should have no problem taking the changer apart and cleaning it.

Make sure you keep the fingers in order. On some changers there is one on the end with its rivet ground down to clear. If one of the others gets put in that spot, things can bind up. Take plenty of notes on where all the rods hooked up. Take pictures if you can as you tear down. It's a big job, but doable if you are careful. Is it worth it? Only if you are currently experiencing trouble with strings not returning to pitch.
Joe

Thanks Bent & Joe, for your replies. Joe, that is exactly the reason I was thinking of cleaning. My 5th string was not returning to pitch sometimes. Not always. I did change the string in case it was deffective, but the problem continued....Bob

Joe is right. On those Sho Buds, all the spacings on the changer were not the same and the fingers are unique in most cases to the slot they are in. Just make note of the order you take them apart and replace them in the same order and you should be fine.

I would hesitate to dismantle the changer if it only requires cleaning.

As for the 5th string not returning to pitch, check the helper spring (if it has one), and the lower return spring, before you start taking the changer to pieces

richard burton wrote:I would hesitate to dismantle the changer if it only requires cleaning.

As for the 5th string not returning to pitch, check the helper spring (if it has one), and the lower return spring, before you start taking the changer to pieces

And before you take the changer apart, just remove all the pull rods from the 5th string, then wiggle it to check whether it moves freely. Then take off the lower-return spring and move it again. If it moves freely, then why take the changer apart?

I totally agree with Richard and Ernest about the helper spring. Sometimes only adjustment or replacement of a weak spring is the solution and much simpler. Also, use some really good light oil on the changer and let it soak in well. I only dismantle the changer as a last resort since taking all the rods out and putting them back is such a big chore.

If the changer needs cleaning you can use chemical gasoline (lighter fluid) to wash it without dismantling it. It smells awful so don't do it in your living room