MSA Classic Knee Lever - Too Much Play

Chris Anderson · From: Idaho, USA

Hey everyone,

Fairly new to pedal steel maintenance. I've always had newer steels and didn't do much with them. I recently bought a 70's MSA Classic S10. Sounds great but has some issues. The thing I'm dealing with right now is the Left Knee Lever Left has a whole bunch of slop in it. The rods move a lot before it actually pulls the string. I can't make out where an adjustment is to fix this. It seems to be something in the linkage up above the springs where I can't see. I took a short video where you can see the knee lever moves a whole bunch before actually engaging which I showed at the end of the short video clip.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/vF9GeU9wJyzbdyP86

I'd like to make this nice and firm like all the other knee levers so when I push on it it immediately engages the string pull.

Any tips greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Chris[/url]

Bobby D. Jones · From: West Virginia, USA

If the strings are raising to proper note.

Look at the proper operating, Moving right knee lever, See how the cross shaft stops are adjusted to contact the guitar body, Before moving anything. Then compare stops on problem knee stop positions, An adjust the problem KL stops.

Right beside the knee lever, Between the knee lever and apron/side of guitar, Is the small block of aluminum. That is a cross shaft stop. In the stop is an allen screw. So it can be adjusted(There should be 2 stops on the cross shaft, Beginning stop, And full engaged stop.)

Adjust the stops to allow proper cross shaft movement for lever to move to desired note. Then loosen the knee lever set screw and adjust the knee lever to proper location, To fit you.

Go slow, Good Luck getting problem solved. Happy Steelin.

Chris Anderson · From: Idaho, USA

Yeah that was it. I was messing with it last night and realized those stops at the top of the lever could be adjusted. I adjusted it and it's better now. I tightened it down as much as I could but I'm guessing given the wear on the allen screw that this has been a recurring problem on this guitar. Any recommendations on something to put in there to keep it from slipping if that indeed becomes a problem?

Dennis Detweiler · From: Solon, Iowa, US

I've never had a problem with the stops slipping. I've bought some used parts over the years and found some of the allen wrench heads stripped out, likely from someone using too small or metric allen wrenches on it. I just replaced the screw and all was fine. You can find the screws at ACE Hardware. Hopefully, the threads aren't stripped out inside the block/stop? If so, you'd have to drill it out and go to the next size tap and screw or buy a new block/stop.
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1976 Birdseye U-12 MSA with Telonics 427 pickup, 1975 Birdseye U-12 MSA with Telonics X-12 pickup, Revelation preamp, Carbon Copy Delay and Hall Of Fame Reverb, Crown XLS 1002, 2- 15" Eminence Wheelhouse speakers, ShoBud Pedal, Effects Pedals. 1949 Epiphone D-8.

Dennis Detweiler · From: Solon, Iowa, US

I just looked at my LKL stop. If the threads are stripped out of the stop, you could also use a little longer allen screw and add a nut to the other side.
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1976 Birdseye U-12 MSA with Telonics 427 pickup, 1975 Birdseye U-12 MSA with Telonics X-12 pickup, Revelation preamp, Carbon Copy Delay and Hall Of Fame Reverb, Crown XLS 1002, 2- 15" Eminence Wheelhouse speakers, ShoBud Pedal, Effects Pedals. 1949 Epiphone D-8.

Chris Anderson · From: Idaho, USA

I don't think the threads are stripped. It grabs and is definitely better now that it's tightened down. Hopefully the problem is solved. On to the next one! Very Happy

Dennis Detweiler · From: Solon, Iowa, US

Sounds like problem solved. Good news!
_________________
1976 Birdseye U-12 MSA with Telonics 427 pickup, 1975 Birdseye U-12 MSA with Telonics X-12 pickup, Revelation preamp, Carbon Copy Delay and Hall Of Fame Reverb, Crown XLS 1002, 2- 15" Eminence Wheelhouse speakers, ShoBud Pedal, Effects Pedals. 1949 Epiphone D-8.

Bobby D. Jones · From: West Virginia, USA

It is very important to have good hex holes in the screw, And a good proper fitting allen wrench to tighten parts on the cross rod. Wobbled out hex holes in screw, Screw should be replaced before being a tightening problem.

If a allen wrench gets worn, Just cut or grind enough off the end of the wrench, So the wrench fits tight in the screw again.

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