Cleaning Pro 1 Changer

Tim Walker · From: Marin County, CA (originally U.K)

Hi,
I'd like to clean my changer. I'm guessing i need to remove it from the guitar first. Is this a simple procedure, I'm not mechanically inclined in the least. Does anyone have any pointers ?

Thanks, Tim

Willis Vanderberg · From: Petoskey Mi

Hey tim:
Take the guitar out to the garage and put a lot of newspaper under it and get a pint of lighter fluid.
Wash the changer down liberally and then a light oil job should do the trick.I prefer to do it with the strings off and work the finger back and forth.

Tim Walker · From: Marin County, CA (originally U.K)

thanks for the reply, should i take the changer off ? i'm worried about getting the solvent on the wood.
thanks.

Jim Sliff · From: Lawndale California, USA

Tim - You do not need to remove the changer.

As Bud suggested, use lighter fluid (the cheap plastic Ronson squeeze bottle works well)- it is specifically naphtha, and will not hurt lacquer, enamel or urethane finishes at all. It's widely used to remove sticker gunk from guitars as well.

After flushing it out and moving everything around on the changer to be sure all the goo is gone, I really recommend NOT using oil of any kind - it merely breaks down, attracts dirt, and causes the same problem all over again. I used to use light viscosity sewing machine oil, but gave it up several years ago in favor of Tri-Flow, a Teflon lubricant. It's a liquid - just hit all the moving parts with it (you don't need much) and as soon as it dries (rather quickly) you are left with a thin Teflon film that repels dirt and lubricates the parts.

That's all there is to it.
_________________
No chops, but great tone
1930's/40's Rickenbacher/Rickenbacker 6&8 string lap steels
1921 Weissenborn Style 2; Hilo&Schireson hollownecks
Appalachian, Regal & Dobro squarenecks
1959 Fender 400 9+2 B6;1960's Fender 800 3+3+2; 1948 Fender Dual-8 Professional

Tim Walker · From: Marin County, CA (originally U.K)

thanks jim !

Skip Edwards · From: LA,CA

I need to clean the changer on my 6139...couple of questions.
Exactly how should you apply the lighter fluid? Just squeeze the can and aim it at the changer? There must be a better way...
And when you say 'flush it out', just exactly what do you mean and how should it be done?
Thanks...

Jim Sliff · From: Lawndale California, USA

Yo Skip - actually, that's exactly what you do - the small tip of the Ronson container helps "squirt" it with some pressure. Just do it outside over concrete; if inside, over old towels and soak them in water right away for safety. Any that spills on the guitar just wipes right up, and will clean off a lot of oily dirt, ink, sticky gunk, etc.

I used to clean Bigsby Trems and open tuners this way (and remove a lot of "why did I stick these stupid flowers on my '63 Strat?" for guys before getting into steel.

Winking

_________________
No chops, but great tone
1930's/40's Rickenbacher/Rickenbacker 6&8 string lap steels
1921 Weissenborn Style 2; Hilo&Schireson hollownecks
Appalachian, Regal & Dobro squarenecks
1959 Fender 400 9+2 B6;1960's Fender 800 3+3+2; 1948 Fender Dual-8 Professional

Bill Ford · From: Graniteville SC Aiken

Jim,
Where do you buy Tri-Flow? Would it be available at a hobby shop?

Thanks, Bill
_________________
Bill Ford S12 CLR, S12 Lamar keyless, Misc amps&toys Sharp Covers
Steeling for Jesus now!!!

Skip Edwards · From: LA,CA

Thanks, Jim.

Lee Baucum · From: McAllen, Texas (Extreme South) The Final Frontier

Bill - Read this other discussion on cleaning and lubing a pedal steel. You can find out about Tri-Flow there.

CLICK HERE

Marc Weller · From: Upland, Ca. 91784

I get Tri Flow at the bicycle shop.

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