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Topic: Question on how to measure rollers for string gauges |
Steven Black
From:
Gahanna, Ohio, USA
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Posted 5 Jul 2024 7:04 am |
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| Hello I have one question, how do I go about measuring the rollers to see what strings fit them? |
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John McClung
From:
Olympia WA, USA
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Posted 5 Jul 2024 5:19 pm
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I think gauged rollers are a pretty precise art. I have them on my Mullen D12, from 2 different guys, neither got it completely right. I believe Jim Palenscar is currently offering that service, I would trust him to nail it. Google steel guitars of north county.
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E9 INSTRUCTION
▪️ If you want to have an ongoing discussion, please email me, don't use the Forum messaging which I detest! steelguitarlessons@earthlink.net |
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Steven Black
From:
Gahanna, Ohio, USA
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Posted 5 Jul 2024 5:27 pm Rollers
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| Thanks John, the rollers i have are larger in diameter, but they are gauged,the guitar has 2 changers on both ends, similar to BMI, I will do my best to match them. |
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Steven Black
From:
Gahanna, Ohio, USA
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Posted 8 Jul 2024 2:38 am Measuring rollers
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| I think I need a micrometer to measure the depth of each roller more accurately. |
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Mike Auman
From:
North Texas, USA
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Posted 8 Jul 2024 6:16 am Re: Measuring rollers
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| Steven Black wrote: |
| I think I need a micrometer to measure the depth of each roller more accurately. |
Or you could try different gauges of strings in each roller, checking which one fits without binding and without side-to-side movement. That would get you close.
_________________
Long-time guitar player, now wrestling with lap steel. |
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Ross Shafer
From:
Petaluma, California
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Posted 9 Jul 2024 4:59 pm
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example here uses .017" and .054" strings. Measure with Vernier/dial/digital calipers or micrometer. Dial thickness gauges can work too.
NOTEs:
1- the rollers I make, place the top of the string surface .006" above the top of the roller surface. This is arbitrary and not a standard of any kind.
2- this assumes the same tool was used to cut the string grooves. |
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Steven Black
From:
Gahanna, Ohio, USA
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Posted 10 Jul 2024 5:46 am Roller gauges
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Thanks Mike and Ross, Ross I am trying to size up the American steel guitars rollers on the changers one for E9th and one for C6th that is what I am doing, I have only one .013 roller so I am not sure that it is a true .013 that is why I need a Micrometer it can measure it.
And I don't know why I have one. |
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Ross Shafer
From:
Petaluma, California
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Posted 10 Jul 2024 7:07 am
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The measurement scheme in my post is comparative so you have to measure multiple roller/string combos to determine which rollers offer the same string height.
If I understand your comment you are trying to measure the depth of the groove....forget about it, without a really good metrology toolbox and the knowledge to use it, it's an exercise in frustration at best.
Also, keep in mind that gauged rollers only offer a slight advantage over non-gauged rollers....that advantage being a bit less bar pressure for buzz free playing on multiple strings at the same time at the lowest fret or two. A good player will hardly notice in most cases. |
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Steven Black
From:
Gahanna, Ohio, USA
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Posted 10 Jul 2024 10:38 am Roller gauging rollers reply
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| I see what you are saying, I will just match them. |
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Jim Palenscar
From:
Oceanside, Calif, USA
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Posted 16 Jul 2024 7:07 am
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| Other than string #'s 1 and 2 the ramp of the std E9th set have a fairly uniform slope and require very little bar pressure to keep them from buzzing. The uni and C6th is different as the larger bass strings raise the back end of the bar requiring substantial pressure closer to the nut to avoid string buzzing. |
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Paul Mageau
From:
Maine, USA
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Posted 24 Aug 2024 6:52 am
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Can anyone tell me where to buy string rollers, gauge specific or not ? I have searched high and low and nothing comes up except reusing the ball ends of guitar strings...NOT 
Thanks
Paul |
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Jim Palenscar
From:
Oceanside, Calif, USA
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Posted 24 Aug 2024 8:18 am
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| I make custom gauged rollers in aluminum- $10/ea roller- need width, diameter,axle size, and string gauges. I have most of the common brand sizes. I'm currently backed up about 2 months but happy to do it as time permits. |
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Paul Mageau
From:
Maine, USA
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Posted 24 Aug 2024 9:37 am
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| Jim, Is that for a set or just one roller ? |
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Wayne Brown
From:
Bassano, Alberta, Canada
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Posted 24 Aug 2024 11:14 am steel guitar parts
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Paul what guitar is this for
thanks
wayne
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Owner Out West Music,Parts and accessories.
Steel Guitar service and Restoration
www.outwestcountry.ca |
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Paul Mageau
From:
Maine, USA
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Posted 24 Aug 2024 4:31 pm
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| No specific guitar, I am looking for parts to build lap steels and pedal steels |
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Wayne Brown
From:
Bassano, Alberta, Canada
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