Marlen Knee Levers

Glenn Uhler · From: Trenton, New Jersey, USA

Looking for 2 Marlen knee levers for 5/16" axle, but I could use 3/8" if necessary. Don't think they made more than one style, but mine have the tongue and groove hinge. PM or email gau2@comcast.net
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1974 Marlen S-12 1968 Tele 1969 Martin D-35H

Michael Yahl · From: Troy, Texas!

Glenn,

Do they look like this? I understand that MSA and Marlen shared some parts. This is a picture of a MSA Knee Lever assembly that I'm working on today. I have 15 in process at the moment and will be adding them to my inventory on my website [url]www.psgparts.com [/url] in the next few days. At the moment I don't have pricing but will when I post them.

The attachment bracket is for a 5/16" shaft.

Michael Yahl

_________________
"Don't fergit to kiss yer horse!"
'72 Sho-Bud Professional D10, (in pieces .....), '78 MSA Classic XL D10, '69 Emmons PP, Fender 2000
Peavey Session 500 BW, Crate Digital Modeling Amp

PSG PARTS
http://www.psgparts.com/

Glenn Uhler · From: Trenton, New Jersey, USA

Nice sketch, Michael. On the Marlen knees, the tongue & groove hinge is part of the lever itself. Turn your hinge 90 deg. and put it on a 45 deg angle to the main part of the lever.

Are you the person who was looking for Marlen parts to duplicate? I would be happy to send you samples of the parts to copy, but there are two reasons not to: 1. The parts are so simple, I'm sure you could make them from a good sketch, and 2. I'm not sure how much of a market there is for old Marlen parts. For example, I was able to find enough bellcranks and other small parts from the first member of the forum I contacted about them.
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1974 Marlen S-12 1968 Tele 1969 Martin D-35H

Michael Yahl · From: Troy, Texas!

Yes Glenn, I am looking for Marlen, Dekley, MSA (Pre '82), and later models of Sho-Bud. Yes I can make things from a GOOD sketch, been doing it all my life, but a part in hand tells me things that most folks have little idea about such as materials, manufacturing methods, and so forth. It's kind of like forensics, I can tell from the marks on the surfaces if it was punched, sawcut, machined, waterjet cut, etc. Is it sand cast or injection cast (i.e. potmetal)? It also depends on the variable as to what each individual decides is a good sketch. The picture above is actually a solid model assembly. I can put parts together in assemblies and check if they actually fit and function and create different iterations for possible improvement. Manufacturing processes are full of variables that in large operations are relatively tightly controlled but on smaller scales parts can vary considerably from one month to the next even though they still function the same. In the aircraft industry we try to acquire 6 used components and 6 new ones, dimensionally inspect and record all of the data and then average each dimensional characteristic to arrive at a specified dimension. A blueprint is then drawn and submitted with metalurgical testing to the FAA for approval to manufacture another companys product.

I know that this is a lot of blabber but that's what reverse engineering is all about. Definitely not neccessary for PSG's but I want the part to look and function just like the original. Most folks wouldn't put a Ford starter on their Chevy even if the form, fit, and function were the same. It just ain't right, know what I mean?

I'm just trying to give all the older stuff, that's no longer supported, a fair shake. Maybe there's not that many Marlens out there, but like a DeLorean, they're somebody's baby and they can't be replaced.

Thanks for tolerating my dissertaion!
_________________
"Don't fergit to kiss yer horse!"
'72 Sho-Bud Professional D10, (in pieces .....), '78 MSA Classic XL D10, '69 Emmons PP, Fender 2000
Peavey Session 500 BW, Crate Digital Modeling Amp

PSG PARTS
http://www.psgparts.com/

Glenn Uhler · From: Trenton, New Jersey, USA

Michael,
You might be surprised, but I know exactly what you are talking about! I was in the metal finishing business for many years, and still visit a number of plating shops, machine shops and foundries in my current position. I can tell you whether a part was milled, drilled, turned, reamed, etc; and also if it was tumbled, vibratory finished, plated, anodized, and so forth.

When I finally decide on the final copedent for my PSG, I will know exactly how many bellcranks I will need. Meanwhile, I will be looking for some Marlen knee levers. Failing to find some, I will probably be contacting you for some.
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1974 Marlen S-12 1968 Tele 1969 Martin D-35H

Michael Yahl · From: Troy, Texas!

Can you send me a GOOD sketch? Very Happy

I'd be happy to help you out.
_________________
"Don't fergit to kiss yer horse!"
'72 Sho-Bud Professional D10, (in pieces .....), '78 MSA Classic XL D10, '69 Emmons PP, Fender 2000
Peavey Session 500 BW, Crate Digital Modeling Amp

PSG PARTS
http://www.psgparts.com/

Glenn Uhler · From: Trenton, New Jersey, USA

You betcha, Mike. It was quite ironic that you mentioned the DeLoreans. Living here in NJ, I'm not far from the farm where John Delorean lived. When a boat load of DeLoreans arrived, they landed in Port Newark, NJ. John and his employees would drive the cars from the port to his farm. He just parked them in the fields around the house and barns until they were ready to be delivered. They did have a security guard or two around the farm at all times.

Actually, the knee lever would be easier to duplicate seeing one in person.
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1974 Marlen S-12 1968 Tele 1969 Martin D-35H

Duane Keiper · From: Niagara Falls, New York

Glenn and Michael
I also have a Marlen, it's a 1969 D-10. It has two knee levers, one is a flat bar and one is round. I just spoke with Paul Redmond last week about sending him my Marlen to have 4 knee levers that all look the same put on. This is a very heavy guitar with a very heavy wooden case. I know this will cost alot just to ship. Maybe if I had the parts I could put them on myself or maybe it's best to have a pro do the work and set this guitar up. There are other Marlen owners around that need parts I'm sure.I also would like two Marlen fret boards as both of my boards are Sho-Bud boards.

Glenn Uhler · From: Trenton, New Jersey, USA

Hi Duane,
Nice to hear from you. The flat lever looks like the ones that came with my guitar. The round one might have been added later. I don't know if Marlen ever drilled the rails for a second knee on the right leg. Your round lever is on brackets and mine would have to be too. (It's not drilled.) Otherwise, the parts under my guitar are the same.

I guess you know that how difficult it will be to add knee levers to you guitar is partly determined by what you want to do with the levers. To add a raise on the left knee requires two mounting brackets screwed to the frame, the main shaft with collars, the knee lever, at least one bellcrank, the raising rod and collar, and a spring (or so). That's all installed on the "surface" of the present mechanism. Adding a lower to a string also requires a tension rod, collar and spring installed at the bottom of the mechanism. Not quite as easyl although it looks like you have quite a bit of room under there. It wouldn't require a complete teardown.

Finally, I would be glad to make a couple of color copies of my Marlen fretboard. It's just a piece of paper under a piece of plexiglas.
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1974 Marlen S-12 1968 Tele 1969 Martin D-35H

Michael Yahl · From: Troy, Texas!

Duane and Glenn,

Glenn, is the flat bar lever on Duanes guitar the same as yours?

Can both of you send me sketches and closeup pictures taken at a 45° angle to the cabinet so that I can get a better look at the bracket? Sketch and dimentsion both the lever AND the bracket that attaches to the cross shaft.

I should have the material under my bench.

Get me the data and I'll take care of both of you at the same time. Whadda ya think??
_________________
"Don't fergit to kiss yer horse!"
'72 Sho-Bud Professional D10, (in pieces .....), '78 MSA Classic XL D10, '69 Emmons PP, Fender 2000
Peavey Session 500 BW, Crate Digital Modeling Amp

PSG PARTS
http://www.psgparts.com/

Glenn Uhler · From: Trenton, New Jersey, USA

Michael,
The lever stock is 0.625" x 0.310", not very common by today's standards as far as I know. (I couldn't find anything like it in C R Laurance's aluminum trim catalog.) If I decide to have you make my levers, I will be happy to send you one to copy. (My guitar is already torn down.)

Wanted to wait at least a week or so, to see if any stray levers showed up on the Forum. This will give Duane time to decide what he wants to do with Paul.
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1974 Marlen S-12 1968 Tele 1969 Martin D-35H

Michael Yahl · From: Troy, Texas!

That's cool.

Glenn, I guess we were replying at the same time as I didn't see your post till now.

Material would be .375" x .625" and cut down to .312". That's just the way it's done. Over 1/4" stock is only made in 1/8" increments.

Didn't know that installing another lever would consist of all those parts. I guess I never thought that far out. I do intend to offer complete knee lever kits in the future. I guess that there will be different requirements for each manufacturer. Stuff to ponder as I drift off to sleep each nite.
_________________
"Don't fergit to kiss yer horse!"
'72 Sho-Bud Professional D10, (in pieces .....), '78 MSA Classic XL D10, '69 Emmons PP, Fender 2000
Peavey Session 500 BW, Crate Digital Modeling Amp

PSG PARTS
http://www.psgparts.com/

Glenn Uhler · From: Trenton, New Jersey, USA

Guess there are no Marlen levers lying around. Please close b0b.
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1974 Marlen S-12 1968 Tele 1969 Martin D-35H

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