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Post new topic Adding a VKL to MSA Classic
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Author Topic:  Adding a VKL to MSA Classic
Tommy Boswell

 

From:
Virginia, USA
Post  Posted 13 Jul 2012 3:03 am    
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How hard is it to add a vertical knee lever to my MSA CLassic S10? It's a 4x4 currently. I would like to lower Bs on a VKL. I've made changes to the copedent on this guitar, but I've never had to add a lever. Should I try it myself, or take it to an expert?
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Lane Gray


From:
Topeka, KS
Post  Posted 13 Jul 2012 3:20 am    
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It is dead easy. Michael Yahl sells the kit.
1 word of advice: don't trust the stop on the rear rail. The leverage will make the pull slip on the rod. the guy who had the universal I just bought has a clever solution. He put a screw into the deck right underneath the pull, that way there is no attempt to make the pull slip on the rod.
I've installed two of them. Just see Michael's site at www.psgparts.com for the lever.
I will be happy to help and I am just a phone call away.
_________________
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


From:
Topeka, KS
Post  Posted 13 Jul 2012 3:23 am    
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One other reason for using a screw into the deck as a stop: The two shaft locations have LKR hardware taking up the rear apron space you'd need to put the stop
One more thing: Make SURE that the tower is perfectly longitudinal, and that the links arr straight. If anything is off axis, it will bind and not work. I used a deep well socket as a jig to make sure both ends of the tower were the same distance from the rail (the second time)

EDIT: The only thing new to you is:
remove 6 screws holding the rear apron access cover;
install the 2 or 3 Delrin bushings;
slide the axle in, adding the pull and bellcranks (note: remove Michael's sticker and glue residue. The tolerances are so tight that you won't get a bell crank over the glue);
drilling the holes for the tower, and;
screwing the tower to the deck.
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects


Last edited by Lane Gray on 13 Jul 2012 4:28 am; edited 1 time in total
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Tommy Boswell

 

From:
Virginia, USA
Post  Posted 13 Jul 2012 4:25 am    
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Wow, thanks Lane! Hold that thought, I might tackle this in a month or so.

Tommy
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Michael Yahl


From:
Troy, Texas!
Post  Posted 13 Jul 2012 6:22 am    
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I've widened the gap on those stops slightly as to provide more gripping power to prevent slippage.

I try to make improvements from original designs as I get feedback from y'all.

Michael
_________________
"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/
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Lane Gray


From:
Topeka, KS
Post  Posted 13 Jul 2012 6:28 am    
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Good to hear, Michael. I suspect the culprit isn't the pull, but the way the torque gets magnified twice before the force gets to the shaft.
PS: I didn't find the STOP moved on the shaft, but the PULL moved. Perhaps both need widening?
_________________
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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Jim Palenscar

 

From:
Oceanside, Calif, USA
Post  Posted 13 Jul 2012 7:11 am    
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The screw in the deck was the original stop on the MSA's.
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Lane Gray


From:
Topeka, KS
Post  Posted 13 Jul 2012 7:14 am    
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Thanks, Jim. I didn't know that. Makes sense, though.
_________________
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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Darvin Willhoite


From:
Roxton, Tx. USA
Post  Posted 13 Jul 2012 6:33 pm    
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Here's a picture of a couple I added to my '75 Classic. I also got the right knee levers away from the rear apron.


_________________
Darvin Willhoite
MSA Millennium, Legend, and Studio Pro, Reese's restored Universal Direction guitar, a restored MSA Classic SS, several amps, new and old, and a Kemper Powerhead that I am really liking. Also a Zum D10, a Mullen RP, and a restored Rose S10, named the "Blue Bird". Also, I have acquired and restored the plexiglass D10 MSA Classic that was built as a demo in the early '70s. I also have a '74 lacquer P/P, with wood necks, and a showroom condition Sho-Bud Super Pro.
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Lane Gray


From:
Topeka, KS
Post  Posted 13 Jul 2012 6:48 pm    
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Darvin, I'll take some pics, but for my clustered LKR, I used a Zum lever and bracket. The pivot is near the top of the tower, so it contains its own reverser. I believe Bruce has the BEST reverser setup out there. Needs minimal real estate and doesn't need two shafts
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Yahoo Messenger

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