Sticky lower finger

Michael Hummel · Post by **Michael Hummel** » 10 Jan 2014 11:49 am

I sat down to practice yesterday and couldn't figure out why the 5th string raises on A and C pedals wouldn't tune properly. It was either really flat or really sharp.

After a minute of head-scratching, I turned the guitar over and watched the changer. As the pedal was depressed, the lower finger came out along with the raise finger. Sometimes during the pedal travel, the lower finger would "click" back into the neutral position.

After a generous lubrication, things seem to be much more smooth and the problem hasn't re-occurred since.

Is this common? Do I need to lube more often? Take something apart and clean the gunk out? Does this indicate a worn changer that needs an overhaul? I kind of dread the thought of taking the changer apart myself.

I can't afford a new guitar just now so I guess I need to keep the old Bud in decent playing condition for a while.

Mike

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 10 Jan 2014 4:01 pm

Michael, on my Zum, I regard raise and lower fingers sticking as the sign that I shoulda oiled it last month, and usually once a year is sufficient. My other guitars I've not had long enough to need reoiling.

Glen Balm · Post by **Glen Balm** » 10 Jan 2014 9:41 pm

On my Bud all the cams had grooves in them made by the "nose" of the lower finger which was causing the sticking problem, replaced all cams and put bearing
on the offending parts
Glen

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 10 Jan 2014 10:30 pm

naw...it's a common problem. little bit of lube and tighten the lower return spring slightly.

Michael Hummel · Post by **Michael Hummel** » 12 Jan 2014 9:52 am

Thanks to all for the replies. I'm going to try a little light cleaning and a good lube job.

Mike

Ricky Davis · Post by **Ricky Davis** » 12 Jan 2014 1:50 pm

Glen Balm; speaks the TRUTH..about it.
Any Shobud that has the top piece that you hook the string on in a groove and NOT a pin; has this potential problem...and the wear is more on the pedals and knee levers used the most through the years. All that extra oil;lube is doing is maybe clearing a little grit out of that groove; only to grit up again...but the groove will always be there. On strings that only Raise; you can keep tightening up the lower return spring; more and more through the years but eventually needs to be replaced; fixed; bandaged...ha...or more.

Ricky