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Topic: Has anyone replaced nylon washers in a changer with metal? |
Ken Metcalf
From:
San Antonio Texas USA
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Posted 15 Apr 2010 5:07 am |
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When I was talking with Mr. Rittenberry up at Dallas.
He was explaining to me, his theory about tone and nylon washers vs metal washers.
He pointed out to me that Emmons uses aluminum washers in the changer.
I noticed that my PP has no nylon any where in it.
The question is... has anyone replaced them in a Carter or other brand of steel?
Side note to all that don't know...
Rittenberry PSGs are extremely fine instruments at a very reasonable price.
Just ask Jody C.
_________________
MSA 12 String E9th/B6th Universal.
Little Walter PF-89.
Bunch of stomp boxes
Last edited by Ken Metcalf on 15 Apr 2010 6:59 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Gianni Gori
From:
Livorno, Italy
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Posted 15 Apr 2010 5:21 am
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what does his theory say?
I have replaced old nylon washers with new ones but I never even thought to put some aluminium in those points of friction..... |
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Bent Romnes
From:
London,Ontario, Canada
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Posted 15 Apr 2010 6:12 am
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Ken, I replaced the nylon washers with aluminum spacers in my home built BenRom Steel. I heard a marked difference in tone right away. The steel sounded brighter, plus I thought there was a little more volume.
From this experience I have arrived at a fact that nylon is a sound-dampening material and I will avoid using it as much as possible in future builds. Even in spots like bushings for the cross shafts, I will try to use, for example, oilite bushings or some type of metal bearing.
_________________
BenRom Pedal Steel Guitars
https://www.facebook.com/groups/212050572323614/ |
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Ken Metcalf
From:
San Antonio Texas USA
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Posted 15 Apr 2010 6:37 am
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His theory says nylon dampens transmission of vibration.
It is not a matter of friction or wear... what I am referring to is a method of tone improvement.
Bobby Bowman showed me a thing, when comparing steels,
put your ear up against the leg pluck a string and listen.
You will hear clear differences in steels this way.
It is also a good method for tuning when a guitar is upside down.
Nylon was (I believe) put into steel guitars as an improvement for lubrication and durability.
_________________
MSA 12 String E9th/B6th Universal.
Little Walter PF-89.
Bunch of stomp boxes
Last edited by Ken Metcalf on 15 Apr 2010 6:45 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Billy Carr
From:
Seminary, Mississippi, USA (deceased)
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Posted 15 Apr 2010 6:40 am washers
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| I prefer aluminum washers in a changer. I imagine the nylon wouldn't transfer like the aluminum. |
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John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 15 Apr 2010 7:18 am
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| Where I worked, we used bronze shim washers between the fingers. I was quite surprised at how expensive they were! |
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Tony Kotula
From:
Detroit, Michigan, USA
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Posted 15 Apr 2010 8:11 am washers
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Hey Ken ol'buddy! How do you tune a steel guitar upside down? Pic's please...lol
_________________
left handed Excel Dl0, left handed GFI UNI 12 Ultra, 2 n.ville 400's, DD3,Lexcicon MPX100... |
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Bent Romnes
From:
London,Ontario, Canada
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Posted 15 Apr 2010 8:14 am
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| Ken Metcalf wrote: |
His theory says nylon dampens transmission of vibration.
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Ken, exactly.The nylon dampens, metal enhances. I sure did feel a difference in vibration through the guitar.
_________________
BenRom Pedal Steel Guitars
https://www.facebook.com/groups/212050572323614/ |
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John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 15 Apr 2010 8:34 am
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"How do you tune a steel guitar upside down?"
Simply stand on your head! |
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Ken Metcalf
From:
San Antonio Texas USA
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Posted 15 Apr 2010 10:09 am
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Tuning a steel guitar upside down refers to when you have your guitar upside down in a jig on your work bench. 
This allows a person to pick a string and move a lever or pedal in order to make adjustments and or observations.
Plain English: Set it on a couple of 4x4s.
There is a forum member that sells the feet that have holes that the legs go through to allow working on a steel upside down.
If anyone remembers him please post it.
_________________
MSA 12 String E9th/B6th Universal.
Little Walter PF-89.
Bunch of stomp boxes |
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Bent Romnes
From:
London,Ontario, Canada
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Posted 15 Apr 2010 11:37 am
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Ken, it's just as easy to make your own rig out of wood and lining it with foam. A great upside-down fixture!
I used pressed board and lined with the thin foam underlay you use for laminate flooring
_________________
BenRom Pedal Steel Guitars
https://www.facebook.com/groups/212050572323614/ |
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David LeBlanc
From:
New Brunswick, Canada
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Posted 14 Feb 2022 7:24 pm
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| I know this is an old post, just wondering if it`s worth the hassle to try and find thin aluminum or other metal washers for a MSA Classic I`m in the middle of a re-build. Any thoughts appreciated. Dave |
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