Problem: Rick 7 String Panda

Jackiso · From: Yokohama, Japan

This rare piece came home this summer with a couple of unexpected problems. First, the tuner buttons crumbled and had to be replaced. Second, the string guide grooves both on the bridge and the nut for the 7th(bottom)string were cut deep to accomodate a heavy gauge(over 060W) string. I use much lighter one(042W for Bb)which easily hits the bottom of V ditch. Obvious problem is string rattling with bar but the most annoying is that the 7th string sounds too boomy perhaps because it is hung low and close to the pickup magnet. When the pickup height is adjusted to make the 7th string sound right, other bass strings(4th thru 6th)
sound too weak. Conceivable solution would be:
1. Bury the ditches with some substance as hard as bakelite, if any.
2. Cut other grooves as deep.
3. Adjust the distance between each pole magnet and string so that all the outputs are balanced. But how? There's no slot nor thread on the magnet.

Any suggestions? Thanks.
Jack Isomura
yoisomura@earthlink.net

[This message was edited by Brad Bechtel on 10 November 2000 at 12:57 PM.]

Dave Brophy · From: Miami FL

Jack,
Here's a short-term fix that may help things while you seek a permanent solution.Cut 2 small pieces of cardboard,say a quarter of an inch square,and fold them into a "V" shape.Detune the string just enough to get the V under the string where it sits on the nut (and bridge).As you tune the string up,it will bring the cardboard along a bit.It may take a couple of tries to get it placed right.If it's still too low,use heavier gauge cardboard.

I'll let someone with Bakelite repair experience discuss a real solution.

Jon Light (deceased) · From: Saugerties, NY

Hi Jack. First off--you can click the pencil icon bove your post and edit it.

If it were any standard guitar I would carefully drop some 'super-glue' mixed with filings of nut material into the slots. Then I would recut them with proper slot files--they are U-shaped rather than V-shaped and are gauged.
Of course, if were a regular guitar I also might just make a new nut and saddle. And I'm not even going to suggest what part of your guitar to start scraping filings from.

You might do well to bring it down to Matt Umanov in the Village. Their luthiers are good and it would probably make their day to see your Rick. No guarantee that they know their stuff on something like this though. Just a thought.

HowardR · From: N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville

You might also contact Mandolin Bros. in Statin Island. They are friendly people and may be able to help you. I also have a 7 string "Panda". It is a wonderful guitar.

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Dave Mayes · From: Oakland, Ca.

I think Elderley Instruments ( or Stewart - McDonald ) sell a number of "super glue" type substances that are used ( among other things ), for correcting your very problem. This stuff even comes in black - if I recall correctly. They must have a .com sight at this point. Hope I've helped.

J D Sauser · From: Wellington, Florida

Jack, I believe that Tom Brumley's B7 had exactly the same problem. He had it fixed at Conklin Guitars in Sprinfield, MO. Their number is (417)886-3825. Bill Moll did the work on Tom's guitar.

[email]jaydee@bellsouth.net?subject=SG-Forum/Non-Pedal/B7 nut repair[/email] if you need further info.

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The future belongs to culture.

jaydee@bellsouth.net

[This message was edited by J D Sauser on 11 November 2000 at 09:15 AM.]

Jackiso · From: Yokohama, Japan

Thank you guys!!
You've kindly laid out complete menu to choose from. Will report you back which works to my B7. Thanks.
Jack Isomura

Jackiso · From: Yokohama, Japan

Having a D-I-Y trait, I chose to resolve the problem myself: Found a substance at local hardware store, PC-7, a multi-purpose epoxy paste which bonds, seals or fills. The paste was very rich and sticky and wasn't easily set in the slots smoothly.Without some practice it's very easy to get mess. It cured overnight but I gave it one full week before filing a groove. When filed,the substance was found not as hard as bakelite but hard enough for normal use not changing the tuning frequently. What's the sustain? Couldn't be better and all the problems gone!! The color was dark grey, not bakelite pitch black but an easy touch-up job with black marker helped. PC-7 costed me $6.98 plus tax. Would anyone give it a try?
Jack Isomura

Dave Van Allen · From: Souderton, PA , US , Earth

That sound like exactly the stuff I used... along withsome steel shims .
Worked great but looks Kinda funky with the grey 'n' all

mikey · From: New Jersey

I hate to let you all in on this secret...Don't take a Bakelite instrument to a "guitar" shop...even the finest luthiers can't help...but...Go the biggest,best,most well equipt BOWLING PRO SHOP you can find...they have been fixing bakelight for over 80 years!!!!!You can have a luthier file your nut and bridge grooves tho...once the pro shop builds it back up...hope it helps...
mike

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