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Topic: Lapsteel restoration advice, for a National D-8. |
Travis Bernhardt
From:
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Posted 9 Nov 2004 4:27 pm |
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Not exactly sure which model, but that's not really important. Anyways, I need to get new buttons for the tuning pegs, and I need to clean out the tuning pegs and re-oil them, since right now half of them are practically impossible to turn.
Also, the bridge is a little rusty--what can be done about that?
I haven't checked the pickups yet, as I don't have the proper cable to connect to the old screw-on jack, but I have noticed that the pole pieces are just popping right out. They don't screw in or out, you just lift them straight out... Should I check to see if there's actually a pickup under the metal plate with the screws in it?
There are a few other things, but I think i can handle them myself. Also, is it at all difficult to swap out the screw-on jack and replace it with a quarter-inch jack? Is it just a question of some simple soldering and buying the right parts?
Thanks,
-Travis |
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Bryan Bradfield
From:
Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.
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Bill Blacklock
From:
Powell River, British Columbia, Canada
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Posted 9 Nov 2004 7:00 pm
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| Hi Travis, Stewart Macdonald and Elderly have tuner nobs. I use Brasso (ships brass cleaner)and a tooth brush to clean up metal things, it also works well on guitars finishes, it give them a real fine cut polish. As for the screw on jack I have one on my National NewYorker and it works great, I don't know why you would want to change it. I'll ask around and see if I can come up with one for ya. |
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Travis Bernhardt
From:
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Posted 9 Nov 2004 8:41 pm
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You're right, I've decided not to change the jack. What should I use to clean the gunk out of the tuning machines? And is there a preferred oil for re-lubing them after?
Also, is there any place that has a picture of what it's supposed to look like under the pickup cover and under the cover for the electronics, which I can compare this guitar to?
-Travis |
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Travis Bernhardt
From:
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Posted 9 Nov 2004 8:42 pm
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Oh, and a toothbrush and some metal cleaner will get rid of the rust?
-Travis |
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Loni Specter
From:
West Hills, CA, USA
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Posted 9 Nov 2004 9:03 pm
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All Parts buttons are a cinch to put on. I crunch off the old crumblies. Then without even taking the tuners off the guitar, I simply heat the shaft with a small butane torch, like all the cigar heads use, (aim the flame at the shaft only and remember heat rises so keep the wood down and the shaft up) and when the shaft is hot enough, the button will just slide right on. Make sure you do it quick, or the button will stick half way and you lose.  |
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Bill Blacklock
From:
Powell River, British Columbia, Canada
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Posted 9 Nov 2004 10:12 pm
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A real heavy duty ceaner is "Brake cleaner" in a spray can (Canadian tire). I would take the tuners off as I don't think it would do the guitar finish any good.Brasso will work on light rust, for heavy rust use a S.O.S. pad (the small grey ones), keep it real wet and be gentle and scrub lightly or it will scratch. As for tuner nobs Im told if they get to hot they will burn up like a guitar pick, poof its gone. As for the pickup, Im kind of in need of that info myself,I've got a couple of noisy pots that I think require changing. Are the same pots used for volume and tone, are 250's good?
Bill |
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Larry Phleger
From:
DuBois, PA
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Posted 10 Nov 2004 7:19 am
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| I changed the amphenol connector on my National T8 to a standard ¼”. Ihad to route out some of the wood under the plate to accommodate the new jack, but I no longer have to mess with the screw in connector. Any standard guitar cord will work. A good move IMHO and not that difficult to do. |
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Charlie Fitzsimmons
From:
Ledyard, Connecticutt, USA
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Travis Bernhardt
From:
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Posted 14 Nov 2004 4:14 pm
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Okay, I'm finally getting around to doing this. A couple more questions. I removed a tuning machine to see what the story was with it, and I see that there's no way to actually open it up. There's a little hole in the front, and I suppose I could squirt some oil in through that. Would it be a good idea to soak the tuners in something? Or should I just spray what I can into the little gaps?
Also, I looked under the pickups, and one of them has a wire disconnected. I barely remember how to solder from high school shop class, but it doesn't look like a hard job. What are some things I should keep an eye out for, both in the actual job, and if I go out to buy myself a soldering gun and some solder?
-Travis |
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Paul Arntson
From:
Washington, USA
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Travis Bernhardt
From:
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Posted 14 Nov 2004 9:40 pm
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Great link, thanks.
-Travis |
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