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Topic: Is cabinet drop the problem? |
John H. McGlothlin
From:
Raton, New Mexico
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Posted 23 Mar 2011 6:13 am |
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HOWDY FOLKS HOWDY. I have an older model of MSA Classic D-10 about mid seventies model. I bought it used. The problem I have is when I tune the E9 neck to where I want it, the C6 neck goes flat and when I get the C6 neck tuned then the E9 neck goes flat. Is cabinet drop causing that or is this a common thing with double neck guitars? Its not a life and death matter because I only play one neck at a time any way. Of course I did buy the guitar as is so I would not expect it to be in mint condition. Thanks for any ideas.
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Marlen SD 10 3 and 5,Fender 5 String Banjo, Flinthill 5 string banjo,Johnson Resonator Guitar, Ibanez AFS75T Country/Jazz Guitar. |
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Georg Sørtun
From:
Mandal, Agder, Norway
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Posted 23 Mar 2011 6:31 am
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Sounds normal to me ... seriously.
And, yes, you are experiences that the PSG body gives under string tension - "body-drop detuning".
Even on most single neck PSGs you will have to go back and forth and tune up strings till they all are in tune, and on a double neck PSG you have to go back and forth between strings on both necks until all strings on both necks are in tune.
Some PSGs are so strong, or are built in such a way, that the cross-neck "drop" effect is minimal. You apparently have bought a PSG that isn't so strong, but that only means it will take a bit longer to tune it up reasonably well and that the strings on one neck stabilizes the other neck for minimal practical body-drop when both necks are fully tuned up.
MSAs sound good - in part because they have a bit of body-flex which results in a decent body-tone, so it pays off to take the time to get both necks in near-perfect tune. |
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John H. McGlothlin
From:
Raton, New Mexico
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Posted 23 Mar 2011 7:44 am
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Thanks very much Georg, and I agree with you on the MSA guitar sounding good...This one has the wooden necks and to me that gives this guitar the real smooth sound and tone.
_________________
Marlen SD 10 3 and 5,Fender 5 String Banjo, Flinthill 5 string banjo,Johnson Resonator Guitar, Ibanez AFS75T Country/Jazz Guitar. |
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chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
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Posted 23 Mar 2011 9:07 am
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i've never had a problem like that...
if you had all the strings off at once..maybe..tune them all up and let it sit. then fine tune everything and there shouldn't bea problem. if there is, it's something else. |
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Earnest Bovine
From:
Los Angeles CA USA
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Posted 23 Mar 2011 9:09 am Re: Is cabinet drop the problem?
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| John H. McGlothlin wrote: |
| The problem I have is when I tune the E9 neck to where I want it, the C6 neck goes flat and when I get the C6 neck tuned then the E9 neck goes flat. |
How much flat does it go? What happens if you tune the E9 neck again after that? A small tuneup change on one neck should not be noticed on the other neck. |
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John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 23 Mar 2011 9:20 am
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| Get out yer screwdriver, and make sure everything is tight. |
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David Mason
From:
Cambridge, MD, USA
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Posted 23 Mar 2011 9:29 am
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| There's been some speculation and/or facts that for tonal reasons, steel guitars shouldn't have all the structural screws too tight. Or, of course, too loose. Besides the danger of over-torquing them, it's just barely possible that a previous owner loosened up some wood screws and the changer is sort of flopping around there in a miniscule way. Or maybe it's just old, went through some seasonal changes, bounced around in a trunk, etc. Does anything weird happen if you strum across the strings and then try to wiggle the changer with your hand? |
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John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 23 Mar 2011 9:33 am
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| DM, I thought that discussion centered around the neck screws only??? There's a product from DAP, that's used to swell wood up to tighten loose chair rails, etc.. It can also be dribbled into a screw hole. Put the screw back in, and wait a while. You'll be able to tighten them up nicely. I use it on old, old Shobuds. |
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Georg Sørtun
From:
Mandal, Agder, Norway
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Posted 23 Mar 2011 10:08 am
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The only parts shared by both necks on an old MSA, are cabinet and end-plates - as on practically all other PSGs. Screws holding the frame together should be checked.
All other loose or tight screws have next to zero cross-neck effect, and usually only need to be checked/tightened if pedal/lever push cause excessive detuning. |
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