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Author
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Topic: Maintenance
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Jim Bob Sedgwick
Member From: Clinton, Missouri USA
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posted 13 March 2006 05:01 PM
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Guys, I don't know if you have experienced this problem. Your action becomes rough.
Step on a pedal and instead of smooth silent response, it feels as if something is catching the rods, giving a schrch, schrch feel and sound as the pedal is activated.I had been playing outdoor gigs for years, rodeo arenas, horseback events, etc. Lots of dirt. I took out the cross shafts cleaned and lubricated them. I Lubricated the ball where the pedal rods attach and thought that would solve the problem. No dice. I then took the guitar out to the garage, and placed it on its end over some newspaper. I drowned it with W-D 40 (for cleaning purposes only. I blew out the changer with a compressor, Lubricated the rivets in the fingers with Dura Lube. Voila, plays smooth as glass, just like new. The whole problem was the microscopic dirt, sand etc. in the changer. Just thought this might help someone with the same problem. PS - the changer did not look dirty prior to the cleaning.[This message was edited by Jim Bob Sedgwick on 13 March 2006 at 08:45 PM.] |
Kevin Hatton
Member From: Amherst, N.Y.
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posted 13 March 2006 06:35 PM
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Excellent. I've heard people label whole brands of steel guitars as "stiff action" etc. because of improper maintenance. I've seen steels that were literally ignored as far as maintenance goes only to wind up with stiff action. I clean and lube my guitars once a year. They get wiped down before they go back into the case after they are played.
The older guitars are especially prone to maintenance issues. Most are very easily maintained. |
Ray Minich
Member From: Limestone, New York, USA
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posted 13 March 2006 07:25 PM
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If you ever get the changer out by itself, and want to "hose it out", a can of "brake cleaner" is a great washdown. Then follow up with the lubricant of your choice. I watched a fella rebuilding automatic transmissions do this routine to all of the tranny parts. Works wonders, and cuts varnish.
(Brake cleaner will also shoot about 20 ft. Good for killing bees nests, melts them flying critters right in place...) |
Jim Bob Sedgwick
Member From: Clinton, Missouri USA
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posted 13 March 2006 08:44 PM
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Parts dip works wonders also. The changer must be out of the guitar. Also wear rubber gloves as this stuff will eat the skin off your hands. (Or you can do like b0b, just put the changer in the dishwasher.) Then relubricate and reinstall. |
Donny Hinson
Member From: Balto., Md. U.S.A.
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posted 14 March 2006 10:29 AM
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quote:
If you ever get the changer out by itself, and want to "hose it out", a can of "brake cleaner" is a great washdown.
Be sure to remember that brake cleaners and automotive engine cleaners are designed for metal only! Keep them far away from all lacquered, painted or plastic surfaces! Been there, done that, and the results weren't pretty.  |
Bill Ford
Member From: Graniteville SC Aiken
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posted 14 March 2006 03:59 PM
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"Been there, done that, and the results weren't pretty."Sounds like the voice of experience, things you'd like to forget,but need to remember. Bill |
BILL OCONNOR
Member From: Castle Rock, Washington, USA
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posted 14 March 2006 08:00 PM
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I was told by one of the top selling pedal steel builders . To flush out the changer with lighter fluid. Let it drip over night then re-oil it . And they tell me to never use W-D 40 it can get gummy and catch dust.------------------
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Mickey Lawson
Member From: Cleveland, Tennessee, USA
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posted 14 March 2006 09:10 PM
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I washed the changer in a bowl of gasoline. It turned the gasoline color to black. Allowed to dry several hours. Lubed liberally with light-weight premium turbine oil, stored upside down on cloth pad for two days. No problems, ultra smooth action. |
Kevin Hatton
Member From: Amherst, N.Y.
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posted 14 March 2006 10:19 PM
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The best and safest wash for the changer is Electronics Cleaner. You get it at the automotive store in a spray can. Leaves no residue and is safe to finishes. Gasoline or lighter fluid will damage your finish. Lube with Marvel Machine Tool Oil. It NEVER congeals and disolves any gum deposits. |
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