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Topic: BMI Return Spring Problem |
Jason Stillwell
From:
Caddo, OK, USA
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Posted 28 Dec 2020 12:15 pm |
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I've been trying to set up a BMI guitar, and the changer finger is getting caught up in the coils of the spring (only on particular strings) and, therefore, won't go back to pitch. I'm posting a link to a short video on my Dropbox and would certainly appreciate any help getting this little problem remedied.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/sr9wepxaypncwl7/bmi%20changer.mp4?dl=0 |
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Larry Dering
From:
Missouri, USA
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Posted 28 Dec 2020 6:01 pm
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| Jason, I will have a closer look at my BMI but I've never experienced that issue. I have replaced a few springs but I'm wondering if your fingers are binding. I have the changer out of one right now because the axle was shot and fingers sticking. I bought it like that. I will post more tomorrow. |
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Jason Stillwell
From:
Caddo, OK, USA
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Posted 28 Dec 2020 6:03 pm
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| Thank you, Larry! |
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Barry Coker
From:
Bagley Alabama, USA
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Posted 29 Dec 2020 3:18 am
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Hi Larry I would look very close at the changer I had a string break once and the brass end fell down into the changer it took about a year but it finally got between the fingers just right and caused the same problem.
Good Luck
Barry
_________________
Zum-D-10, Webb 614-E, 65 Pro Reverb, Evans RE200, 69 Gibson Birdland, 89 Telecaster EAD Bad!! |
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Mike DiAlesandro
From:
Kent, Ohio
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Posted 29 Dec 2020 4:43 am Re: BMI Return Spring Problem
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| Jason Stillwell wrote: |
I've been trying to set up a BMI guitar, and the changer finger is getting caught up in the coils of the spring (only on particular strings) and, therefore, won't go back to pitch. I'm posting a link to a short video on my Dropbox and would certainly appreciate any help getting this little problem remedied.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/sr9wepxaypncwl7/bmi%20changer.mp4?dl=0 |
Jason,
The most common reason for the changer not returning to it's stop point (idle) is overtuning of the nylon tuning nut for that lower. This causes the rod to be actually too short to allow the changer finger to return to it's stop point.
Loosen the affending nylon tuner and and retune the open note at the headstock, this hopefully will solve this. There ALWAYS needs to bee a slight bit of slack between the nylon tuning nut and the changer finger.
If the string doesn't reach it's intended lower or raised note, you need to increase the travel of the lever or pedal in question.
Mike D |
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Ricky Davis
From:
Bertram, Texas USA
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Posted 29 Dec 2020 7:02 am
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The Spring coil is getting caught on the very bottom of finger it's hooked on to, when stretched.
Try unhooking the spring and turning it over...so the wind that hooks on finger; keeps the spring a little further away from bottom of finger.
Try that and if it doesn't' get the spring a little further away from bottom; you might try swapping it out with another spring that is just bent better on both ends that keeps it away from dragging on that bottom piece of finger.
Good luck.
Ricky
_________________
Ricky Davis
Email Ricky: sshawaiian2362@gmail.com |
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Mike DiAlesandro
From:
Kent, Ohio
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Posted 29 Dec 2020 7:47 am
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Yeah, I didn't notice on the the very beginning of the video that the finger WAS in the neutral position before engaging the lever. My bad...
Ricky is right on, them Texans know steel guitars.  |
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Larry Dering
From:
Missouri, USA
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Posted 29 Dec 2020 7:54 am
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Try Mike and Rickys suggestions 1st. The BMI springs ride flat on the bottom of the frame. If the finger moves freely with the spring unhooked and no string attached then you can eliminate binding. Also inspect the pull where it goes through the finger. They sometimes bind in the hole. The cone shaped spacers ride against the finger to keep the rod centered. Clean the rod and add a drop of oil. Here is a side view of it's changer. You can see where the bottom hook where the spring rides. It's slightly below the finger frame but that spring rides along the flat bottom of the finger.
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Jim Palenscar
From:
Oceanside, Calif, USA
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Posted 29 Dec 2020 8:03 am
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| Sometimes I will slip a thin piece of delrin under the springs to keep them from catching underneath. |
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Ian Worley
From:
Sacramento, CA
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Posted 29 Dec 2020 11:13 am
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The stock BMI springs have a very specific bend on the end loop that holds the body of the coil away from the stop plate when they're hooked on the scissor. The end loop is flush to the top of the coil. This is exactly what Ricky is talking about. Perhaps your springs have been replaced, it's hard to tell from the angle of your vid but it looks like the loop ends on your springs are not offset properly like they are in the pic below. If so, you can just re-shape the end loops with needle nose pliers so they look like the pic below should resolve the dragging/binding issue.
_________________
All lies and jest, still a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest - Paul Simon |
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Larry Dering
From:
Missouri, USA
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Posted 29 Dec 2020 7:00 pm
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| Ian, that's exactly right. I replaced springs on mine and now I remember having to shape them like that for proper operation. My steel was not in a place where I could get that picture like yours. That should do the trick for the jason. |
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Jason Stillwell
From:
Caddo, OK, USA
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Posted 29 Dec 2020 7:03 pm
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| Thanks, folks! |
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Ricky Davis
From:
Bertram, Texas USA
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Posted 30 Dec 2020 7:32 am
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YES IAN....that is a perfect shot and instruction on how that is set up there with the springs.....Awesome Bro.
Ok Jason; that will fix you....Play on my Brother.
Ricky
_________________
Ricky Davis
Email Ricky: sshawaiian2362@gmail.com |
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Larry Dering
From:
Missouri, USA
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Posted 6 Jan 2021 7:44 pm
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| Well Jason, inquiring minds want to know if you solved your problem? |
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Jason Stillwell
From:
Caddo, OK, USA
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Posted 6 Jan 2021 8:07 pm
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| To be honest, I haven't fooled with it anymore. I thought I would try new springs from BMI (since these have been tweaked to death), but I haven't ordered yet. Hopefully I'll have a results post soon! |
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Larry Dering
From:
Missouri, USA
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Posted 7 Jan 2021 6:53 am
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I understand that Jason. Be kind enough to post your results once you solved the issue for future reference.
Too many posts end up unanswered as the original poster drops the ball. Thanks for the reply. |
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Jason Stillwell
From:
Caddo, OK, USA
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Posted 7 Jan 2021 7:21 am
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| Will do. Thanks, Larry! (And everyone else who contributed your tips.) |
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