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Topic: Fender Tension Springs Adjustment |
Fred Glave
From:
McHenry, Illinois, USA
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Posted 21 Aug 2004 10:24 pm |
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| This subject has been brought up before, but it seems to me that there's been warnings about adjusting Fender tension springs for some reason or another. I can't find the thread that refers to this when searching. I'm having trouble with my changers returning after release, and wonder if I should try adjusting the springs. I know that if the cables are stretched too tight, it will keep the changers from returning to open tuning position, but mine are nice and loose. Any help out there? |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 22 Aug 2004 7:52 am
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| Fred, first you should try swapping the springs, exchanging with the ones that won't return, and seeing if they will. If that cures the problem on the offending string, then you know that the springs are stretched out (weak). Then you just have to get some new springs. If they still won't return, though, the changer fingers are binding or gummed up, and this will require removal and cleaning of the changer mechanism. Also, there's always the chance that a stray string-end has broken off and gotten jammed in there. In either case, it's a fairly simple repair. Clean, re-oil, and then reassemble. You should be able to perform the necessary work yourself in just a few hours. |
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Jim Florence
From:
wilburton, Ok. US * R.I.P.
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Posted 22 Aug 2004 3:40 pm
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| My bet is like Donny says, it's going to be a piece of string in there. I've owned a bunch of them and never had to clean one. It's a;ways a piece of a string, or a string end. |
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John Bechtel
From:
Nashville, Tennessee, R.I.P.
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Posted 22 Aug 2004 9:18 pm
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That's always the first thing to l©©k for, when a string breaks. (the ball-end) If I remember correctly, there's not much clearence on top of a Fender to lose a string-end into the changer! Even on the later models where the strings are started from the front of the bridge, a thin strip on foam should close any open-gap. (maybe cut from a shoe-insert)
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“Big John” Bechtel
(2)-Fender ’49–’50 T–8 Customs
Fender ’65 Reissue Twin-Reverb Custom™ 15”
click here
click hereclick hereclick here |
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Fred Glave
From:
McHenry, Illinois, USA
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Posted 24 Aug 2004 6:01 pm
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| Thanks guys, I'll give it a closer look. I'm kind of mechanically minded, but it looks a little intimidating. Mainly because the guitar is so old, it may be hard to find replacement parts if I screw something up. |
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Tracy Sheehan
From:
Fort Worth, Texas, USA
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Posted 24 Aug 2004 7:58 pm
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| Fred.If you don't find anything binding the changer you can get parts or fix it your self.You didn't say if it was the raise or lower that won't return.But i would suppose it is the lower.If so and a lowered string won't come back up to pitch take the spring off and cut a little of of it off.If you should cut too much you can go to your local hard ware store and get new springs which you may have to cut to size.I did this back when i had a fender 400 and later a 1000.When a raise pulled too hard i took a screw driver and spread the spring a little.Curley Chalker did the same on his fender 1000.Good luck.Tracy |
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