| Author |
Topic: moving rusted Valco pole piece? |
Ron Victoria
From:
New Jersey, USA
|
Posted 15 Dec 2005 1:30 pm |
|
Any sugestions how to free up a pole screw on the Valco type pickups? Is that plate part of the PU or removeable? I thought about some WD-40 for a day and then try moving it back and forth.
Thanks, Ron |
|
|
 |
Rick Alexander
From:
Florida, USA, R.I.P.
|
Posted 15 Dec 2005 1:42 pm
|
|
Yes, WD-40 - then wait a while - then move it back & forth real easy. You don't want to bust the little set screw that is the pole piece. What usually happens is half of the top breaks off at the slot, and cuts the volume of that string by about 90%. If it does break, the set screw can be replaced but then you have to find one that's the right size, and that can be a pain in the neck.
Can you tell I've been in the same situation? |
|
|
|
Rick Alexander
From:
Florida, USA, R.I.P.
|
Posted 15 Dec 2005 1:45 pm
|
|
| If you have some Contact Cleaner - spray a little of that on there too. It seems to help loosen things up . . |
|
|
|
Russ Young
From:
Seattle, Washington, USA
|
Posted 15 Dec 2005 2:55 pm
|
|
| Quote: |
| Can you tell I've been in the same situation? |
Been there, done that. I had a 5.1-string National for a while ... 
[This message was edited by Russ Young on 15 December 2005 at 02:55 PM.] |
|
|
|
Tom Baylis
From:
Portland, Oregon
|
Posted 15 Dec 2005 3:25 pm
|
|
Oh boy, I can relate guys. My first Supro had the pole screws all nice & loosey, but a couple others are frozen. I broke two off after trying to raise 'em - ouch. I seem to recall a recent post about this where someone identified the proper screw size, but a quick search doesn't find it. As you note Rick, the pole height really makes a difference and adjusting 'em allows one to balance the output. I like to keep 'em as high as I can without introducing string chatter.
Tom |
|
|
|
Rick Alexander
From:
Florida, USA, R.I.P.
|
Posted 15 Dec 2005 3:57 pm
|
|
Exactly right Tom - high as you can without unwanted string contact. A slight adjustment makes a big difference in string volume, and it's possible to get a good balance.
If need be I can ask my Guitar Tech the correct size. He already had them on hand when I needed them. |
|
|
|
Ron Victoria
From:
New Jersey, USA
|
Posted 16 Dec 2005 3:05 pm
|
|
The WD-40 worked pretty good. Only one snapped and it was able to be drilled out.
Ron |
|
|
|
