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Topic: MSA .. lowers hard. on E strings..help?? |
Bob Carlucci
From:
Candor, New York, USA
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Posted 18 Feb 2005 5:58 am |
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| My 'new" MSA plays well,but man I have to push REAL hard to drop the E's a half tone on my RKR.. I have tried a BUNCH of stuff.. Lever angle,Pull finger angle.. I have the rods and fingers in the lowest holes in the changer and pull fingers etc.. Everything is super clean and moves easily without the rods in.. It feels as if the springs are way too stiff.. It is NOT a binding or lack of lube type of feel ,, It feels like the springs are too tight. The raises on the same strings feel fine.. Any thoughts?? bob |
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Jim Smith
From:
Midlothian, TX, USA
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Posted 18 Feb 2005 6:08 am
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| Quote: |
| It feels as if the springs are way too stiff. |
They are, and were done that way on purpose. MSA has said in the past that when they had adjustable springs on their older guitars, the number one issue was misadjusted springs. They "solved" it by going with non-adjustable springs.
I "solved" it on the old MSA I had by building a bracket and installing Sho-Bud adjustable return springs.  |
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Palmer
From:
New Bern,NC,USA
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Posted 18 Feb 2005 7:38 am
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| Bob,if you mic the gage of the spring you can buy one a little lighter gage at any hardware store and cut it yourself. Always works for me. Jack. |
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Bob Carlucci
From:
Candor, New York, USA
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Posted 18 Feb 2005 7:48 am
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| Thanks Jack.. thats about what I was thinking.. I am starting to get used to the stiffer feel,and may keep it as is. By the way, I hope to move to your neck of the woods someday[New Bern].. My wife thinks it will be too hot in the summer,but I'll take it to escape these NY state winters... bob |
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John Daugherty
From:
Rolla, Missouri, USA
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Posted 18 Feb 2005 9:04 am
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"It is NOT a binding or lack of lube".
Here's a thought on that: I have had the same thought,then a few drops of oil proved me wrong.
I little oil ain't gonna hurt nuthin. |
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Johnny Cox
From:
Williamsom WVA, raised in Nashville TN, Lives in Hallettsville Texas
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Posted 18 Feb 2005 9:13 am
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FYI..the new Millennium guitars do have adjustable lower return springs. Bob, make sure that the linkage on the knee lever itself is set in the easier position.
Johnny |
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Bob Carlucci
From:
Candor, New York, USA
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Posted 18 Feb 2005 9:18 am
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| John.. thats the first thing I tried.. It is NOT lack of lube.. As I envision the undercarriage of my last MSA in my head, I recall several of the springs had "gaps" in them... PROBABLY from where I streched them many many years ago.. It was just so long I had forgotten. probably well over 20 years... I think 1 step lighter on the springs would do the trick, but as I stated, I may just live with it as is for awhile... bob |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 18 Feb 2005 1:59 pm
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| That's the ticket, Bob! Just insert a flat-bladed screwdriver between the coils (without removing the springs from the guitar!), and twist gently. Usually, "opening up" a space about the width of the spring-wire in two or three different places on the spring will do it. |
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Bob Carlucci
From:
Candor, New York, USA
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Posted 18 Feb 2005 2:10 pm
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| .. I may do that Donnie, but I looked at springs in the hardware store and at $.60 ea. i think I can scrape up enough to just remove the old ones and put a lighter spring in, just in case I want to reinstall the old ones some day.... bob [This message was edited by Bob Carlucci on 18 February 2005 at 02:11 PM.] |
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Fred Shannon
From:
Rocking "S" Ranch, Comancheria, Texas, R.I.P.
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Posted 18 Feb 2005 2:14 pm
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Bob, I'd try what Donnie H. suggests. Those MSA springs are the best money can buy and a little less tension might just be the ticket. Just a thought.
fred
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"From Truth, Justice is Born"--Quanah Parker-1904
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