Franklin G# to E on old MSA. Is it possible?

Matthew Walton · From: Fort Worth, Texas

In the latest installment of the exciting tale of Matt's two-year-long-copedent-setup, I'm trying to get the two step LKV lower that Paul Franklin has on the sixth string. Unfortunately, I can't get it to lower for the life of me!

With the steel right-side up, I have LKV in the bottom hole, and P4 in the next to bottom hole. The problem is that by the time I get almost enough travel to lower it two steps, the spacer gets stuck between the finger and the... hole plate (whatever that's called).

I suppose I could buy replacement aluminum tubing to make a longer tube, but that strikes me as fixing the symptom, not the problem. Is this even possible on a 1977 MSA Classic XL? The physics are starting to get argumentative, and that spring looks awfully taught.
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If something I wrote can be interpreted two ways, and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, I meant the other one.

1981 MSA "The Universal" Bb6 S-12 9/5 | 2024 Excel Robostar Bb6 S-12 8/5 | 2009 MSA SuperSlide C6 S-12 | Peavey Nashville 112

Lee Dassow · From: Jefferson, Georgia USA

Matthew, If it's a double raise, double lower I dont think you can do that unless you got some little
dohickey that goes on the pullrod by the changer
finger. Lane Grey may chime in on that. I think it's made by Tom Bradshaw. Hope that helps. Tennessee Lee
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2015 Mullen D-10 Royal Precision 9x8,-1990 BMI S-10 5x5-1972 Silver face Fender pro Reverb amp,-1965 Fender Super Reverb Amp,- 1966 Fender Showman Amp Two 15" JBL speakers,- 2006 65 Fender Twin Reverb reissue Amp,- 1982 Peavey Session 500 amp,-1978 Peavey Session 400,Goodrich Volume Pedals,John Pearse Steel Bars,

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

The Bradshaw gizmo won't help. If the transition from spacer to nylon is hanging up on the hole, I'd go for a SHORTER spacer tube and a LONGER nylon nut so that only nylon rubs the hole. A longer spacer will put the end of the rod outside the guitar when you go to case it.
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects

Tom Gorr · From: Three Hills, Alberta

Do you use a wound or plain string on s6? Someone can probably recommend the optimum string gauge to minimize travel on a lower.

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

I'm thinking 20P, since it'd go slack before the 22P. Wound would just be silly.
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects

Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

I think there are some changes possible only on a Franklin guitar.
That may be one of the reasons they bring the big bucks.

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

Look closely - does the raise finger move at all when you're trying to lower the string? If it does, the return spring is too tight. Also, a heavier string would help with making the same change with less string movement. Smile

Matthew Walton · From: Fort Worth, Texas

...It's 22 wound. Neutral

I broke a string two years ago and the only thing that the local shop had were Ernie Balls. I just ordered some D'Addarios with same-day shipping from Amazon. I'll let y'all know how it works out.
_________________
If something I wrote can be interpreted two ways, and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, I meant the other one.

1981 MSA "The Universal" Bb6 S-12 9/5 | 2024 Excel Robostar Bb6 S-12 8/5 | 2009 MSA SuperSlide C6 S-12 | Peavey Nashville 112

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

It surprised me that the wound almost made it. The plain should do it, then.
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects

Matthew Walton · From: Fort Worth, Texas

Awesome, thanks. It got down to about an F before it tried to self-destruct. I remember reading you explaining this to someone else, but can you refresh my memory? Will going down in size help or hurt my situation? I'll be going from 22W to 20P.
_________________
If something I wrote can be interpreted two ways, and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, I meant the other one.

1981 MSA "The Universal" Bb6 S-12 9/5 | 2024 Excel Robostar Bb6 S-12 8/5 | 2009 MSA SuperSlide C6 S-12 | Peavey Nashville 112

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

You should try a .022" plain, as the heavier string will make for more change with less finger movement.

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

The weird thing is, if gauge is equal, the slacker a string gets, the more it responds to changer movement: but tension being equal, the bigger the string, the more it responds.
It's a wacky pair of curves,especially once it moves off the normal range.
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects

Peter den Hartogh · From: Cape Town, South Africa

In 2006 I made my bell crank a bit longer with Meccano parts on my Remington S12. It works fine.
MSA might be different.

Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

Peter,
I've done the same thing on an Emmons p/p when a steeler wants to raise the 1st string a whole tone from F# to G#.

Tom Gorr · From: Three Hills, Alberta

Lee Dassow · From: Jefferson, Georgia USA

I always thought most sets used a 22p on no.6.
seemed like the standard. T.L.
_________________
2015 Mullen D-10 Royal Precision 9x8,-1990 BMI S-10 5x5-1972 Silver face Fender pro Reverb amp,-1965 Fender Super Reverb Amp,- 1966 Fender Showman Amp Two 15" JBL speakers,- 2006 65 Fender Twin Reverb reissue Amp,- 1982 Peavey Session 500 amp,-1978 Peavey Session 400,Goodrich Volume Pedals,John Pearse Steel Bars,

Matthew Walton · From: Fort Worth, Texas

Well the 20p string worked great. I could probably make it lower to a D if I tried really hard. Very Happy

Thanks guys!
_________________
If something I wrote can be interpreted two ways, and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, I meant the other one.

1981 MSA "The Universal" Bb6 S-12 9/5 | 2024 Excel Robostar Bb6 S-12 8/5 | 2009 MSA SuperSlide C6 S-12 | Peavey Nashville 112

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