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Topic: MSA changer |
Eddie Freeman
From:
Natchez Mississippi
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Posted 21 Jul 2019 6:25 am |
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| Does any one have a picture of a 3 piece changer(animated or not) of a MSA classic 4 hole changer. I am having trouble getting the one I bought to work. The finger that holds the string is not being held in the neutral position, no matter how much pressure I put on the return spring but engages all the way as if fully engaged. I have worked with this type changer before but never had this happen. Its been a while so may be I am missing something here. I suppose any type 3 piece scissor type changer will help. Thanks |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 21 Jul 2019 7:39 am
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The "neutral" position is for both segments (raise and lower parts) of the finger to be held against the finger stop-bar when a string is installed and tuned. The return spring holds the lowering finger against the stop-bar, and the string tension holds the raising finger against the stop-bar.
However, all bets are off if either section is not moving freely. To check, remove the strings and springs, and the fingers should flop back and forth and slip past each other very easily. |
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Ian Worley
From:
Sacramento, CA
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Posted 21 Jul 2019 10:28 am
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There are some animated changer images here: http://steelguitar.com/maps/changer.html
If you're looking for help/suggestions beyond the animation, a little more info and a pic or two will help others in understanding the issue. As Donny said, string tension is a critical component in the overall system. With the limited info you've provided, what you're describing sounds a lot like the neutral state of a normally functioning changer with no strings installed, the return springs pulling the finger to the full raise position. Can we assume the guitar is strung up and tuned to pitch? |
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Eddie Freeman
From:
Natchez Mississippi
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Posted 21 Jul 2019 12:41 pm changer
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| The string holder is fully engaged with the return springs installed and no matter how much pressure is applied to the return spring the string holder fully engages before it comes to pitch forcing the raise finger to be fully backed off. I am going to make extensions for the lower finger that rests on the stop bar and see if the lower pivot spot this gives me will help keep the parts all in line, thanks for the help guys. When I say the string finger is fully engaged, what I mean is the string finger is in the lower position |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Eddie Freeman
From:
Natchez Mississippi
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Posted 21 Jul 2019 3:06 pm changer
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| Yes Donny,it looks just like that until I put a string on and try to bring the string up to pitch, then the string holder pushes the raise arm to full lower position. I have changed springs and even over extended them thinking the springs were too weak to keep the raise arm in place. Tomorrow I will do as I posted earlier with the lower arm extensions and get back to you with results, again thanks. |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 22 Jul 2019 6:17 am Re: changer
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| Eddie Freeman wrote: |
| Yes Donny,it looks just like that until I put a string on and try to bring the string up to pitch, then the string holder pushes the raise arm to full lower position. |
You mean "full raise position", don't you? Because there is no "lower position" on a raise finger. It's either "neutral" (against the stop-bar), or it's raising (moving away from the stop-bar).
Remember, if the return springs are too weak, the lowering finger will pull away from the stop-bar when no pedals or levers are activated. And on some guitars, if the springs are too tight, the raise finger will start moving (raising) when you're trying to lower a string. It all depends on how the fingers are designed. Make sure that when you're doing a lower, only the lowering portion of the finger is moving! |
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Eddie Freeman
From:
Natchez Mississippi
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Posted 26 Jul 2019 4:07 pm changer
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| thanks Donny,I appreciate your help. I think my problem is fixed, extended lower finger and new springs seem to have done it. |
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