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Post new topic Carter Broken Knee Lever
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Author Topic:  Carter Broken Knee Lever
Dan Robinson


From:
Colorado, USA
Post  Posted 1 Jun 2017 8:23 pm    
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Any ideas how to fix this? From my Carter SD-10, RKR/E-lower. It fractured where the lever arm actuates the reverser. Gig Friday night.
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Jerry Overstreet


From:
Louisville Ky
Post  Posted 1 Jun 2017 8:53 pm    
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Similar problem here: Maybe some ideas. http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=299271&highlight=cracked

...or you may be able to order a new hub from Brisco.
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Dan Robinson


From:
Colorado, USA
Post  Posted 1 Jun 2017 9:14 pm    
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Thanks for the reply, Jerry.

My band-mates had some similar suggestions. Not enough time to get new parts from Al Brisco. We have a gig Friday night.

I'm going to check with welders in the morning.

Naturally this happened to the lever that lowers 4 and 8, absolutely essential. I have that on RKR. I removed the lever from LKR (lower 2, with feel stop) and moved it over for now. I'll fake it if necessary.

I will get some local help in the morning, and we will see.
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Dan Robinson


From:
Colorado, USA
Post  Posted 3 Jun 2017 12:21 am    
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I made this fix, and remounted the lever, but didn't get a chance to adjust it. Played Friday's gig without using it. It needs additional stabilization. JB Quick Weld might be adequate.

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Jim Bloomfield

 

From:
Colorado, USA
Post  Posted 3 Jun 2017 5:15 am    
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Wow Dan, all that practice and gigging seems to be hard on equipment. Good luck!
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Jon Light


From:
Saugerties, NY
Post  Posted 3 Jun 2017 5:49 am    
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As per the link above, it was an uncommon but known issue. Presumably they would have eventually addressed it. I received a replacement that was a bit beefier. Maybe that was the solution (or maybe it was still a work in progress.)
It is unfortunate that John & Bud didn't have more years to continue innovating and engineering.
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Dan Robinson


From:
Colorado, USA
Post  Posted 3 Jun 2017 11:20 am    
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Jim Bloomfield wrote:
Wow Dan, all that practice and gigging seems to be hard on equipment. Good luck!


You're right, Jim. After just 3 months... two power tubes, a knee lever and one volume pedal. Well, the VP was discretionary. No complaints!
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Dan Robinson


From:
Colorado, USA
Post  Posted 3 Jun 2017 11:33 am    
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Jon Light wrote:
As per the link above, it was an uncommon but known issue. Presumably they would have eventually addressed it. I received a replacement that was a bit beefier. Maybe that was the solution (or maybe it was still a work in progress.)
It is unfortunate that John & Bud didn't have more years to continue innovating and engineering.


Jon, I have to believe they woul have improved on the design.

I'm going to reinforce both xKR levers around the arm that actuates the reverser. The one I braced is coming out of the guitar today. Will add some JB Weld steel-filled epoxy.

I learned the hard way that it matters on which side the screw heads are located. Should be easier to brace the unbroken lever with same L-bracket. The bracket is a mild steel. I drilled all the way through bracket and the aluminum, used long self-tapping screws, cut off protruding ends, and smoothed it with a large India stone.


Last edited by Dan Robinson on 7 Jun 2017 8:33 pm; edited 2 times in total
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Bob Carlucci

 

From:
Candor, New York, USA
Post  Posted 3 Jun 2017 2:25 pm    
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Dan.. put heavy grease on the little piece that actuates the reverser on both L&R knees.. Thats a weak spot and they wear heavily or even break there.. Oil won't do it, too much pressure on a very small fulcrum.. Grease it up after the lever is repaired, and every once in a while, wipe off the old black grease and apply a fingertip of new grease,, Lubriplate works great but any good grease will work fine.. Its a design flaw in that reversing setup that Carter never really caught for some reason.. Grease it and no more issues... bob
_________________
I'm over the hill and hittin'rocks on the way down!

no gear list for me.. you don't have the time......
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Dan Robinson


From:
Colorado, USA
Post  Posted 3 Jun 2017 2:59 pm    
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Thanks, Bob. Al Brisco greased those up pretty well just before I got the guitar. But I will do that. The sharp corners on that finger does lend itself to fracturing. With the brace and the JBWeld it's more robust. I'll do the same to the other lever, hopefully before it fails.

It's all back together now and working perfectly. It played well at my gig last night. I'm very fond of this guitar!
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John Swain


From:
Winchester, Va
Post  Posted 4 Jun 2017 2:08 pm    
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DON Burrows from Ohio makes a replacement with a roller bearing that sounded like the solution.
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Dan Robinson


From:
Colorado, USA
Post  Posted 7 Jun 2017 7:54 pm    
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John Swain wrote:
DON Burrows from Ohio makes a replacement with a roller bearing that sounded like the solution.


Thanks, John.

I just sent him a PM. Will let you know if I learn anything from Don.
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