12 string MSA rodding suggestions

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Lane Gray
Posts: 13551
Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: Topeka, KS

12 string MSA rodding suggestions

Post by Lane Gray »

So I'm making some changes on my extended E9th S12.
The F lever will drop 12 to C#. I'm thinking 2C (2 on the bellcrank and C on the changer). Anyone else do that?
Please nobody say 3C, because I only have a 2 hole bellcrank in that position.
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects
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Lane Gray
Posts: 13551
Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: Topeka, KS

Post by Lane Gray »

After a fun day on the workbench, 2D works better than 2C.
As in 2C doesn't work, the raise finger pulls away. I keep forgetting that C is unsuitable for longer throws.
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects
Donny Hinson
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Joined: 16 Feb 1999 1:01 am
Location: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

Post by Donny Hinson »

Say what???

2C there, C here, 3C there :?:

(Uhhh...I'm sure I'm not the only one here that hasn't the faintest idea what you're talking about :aside: )

Anyhow, on an MSA, or most any all-pull model, if the raise finger moves when you're lowering a string, it's either really gummed up...or the return spring is too tight. About 90% of the time, a lighter lower-return spring will correct that.

My old MSA wouldn't lower the 2nd on E9th a full tone with the stock spring. But after I installed a lighter spring, I found I could lower the 2nd string all the way down to "B". :whoa:

Something to keep in mind, anyway. 8)
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Lane Gray
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Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: Topeka, KS

Post by Lane Gray »

Donny, the letters are changer holes. Top raise hole A, bottom raise hole B, top lower hole C, Bottom lower hole D. Bellcrank hole numbers start at the deck and go up.
I didn't invent the system.
And yes, the spring is stronger than need be, but if you use the lower hole, the raise hole is less likely to follow. I forgot whether it was Jim Palenscar or Michael Yahl told me that.
Switching to the bottom hole let the low E drop to a bit flat of B
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects
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