My MSA Pro-Am Sidekick (all-pull changer) has an issue where the 4th string does not return to E after operating the Eb lever (RKR for me). I need to use the F lever (RKL for me) or C pedal and then I hear a click as the changer snaps back into place and the string will return to E. Looking at the changer I see that the rod returns to the correct position after releasing the Eb lever but the finger / plate with holes that the rod goes through does not return until it snaps back into place like I mentioned above. This does not happen on the 8th string E.
In this picture you can see the situation after the Eb lever is released, the 8th string finger has returned but the 4th string finger has not. There is also some rust on that finger. Not sure if its enough to be an issue or just par for the course for this 50 year old instrument
I tried using some 3in1 lubricant but that hasn't seemed to help at all. I couldn't find anything obviously stuck in the changer. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
All pull changer finger stuck. Please help
Moderator: Dave Mudgett
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Koa Ritz
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All pull changer finger stuck. Please help
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K Maul
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Re: All pull changer finger stuck. Please help
First off I wouldn’t use oil. Dry teflon spray doesn’t pick up dust hair etc. The rust doesn’t help. The changer has probably never been cleaned so it might have some gummed up old oil in there. A flush out with lighter fluid and then a spray with compressed air like you use to clean a computer keyboard could remove some of the junk.
Are your return strings adjustable? You could try tightening that spring a little bit. Back off on the tuner nut and see if the finger still sticks if you move it by hand. It’s possible it could be some other reason in the linkage that’s making it stick.
Are your return strings adjustable? You could try tightening that spring a little bit. Back off on the tuner nut and see if the finger still sticks if you move it by hand. It’s possible it could be some other reason in the linkage that’s making it stick.
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Bobby D. Jones
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Re: All pull changer finger stuck. Please help
First check the changer again, Very careful. Being the 4th string, There may be a broken 3rd string ball end caught in the 4th string assembly. Check if you can shove the lower lever back with a screwdriver.
You may want to use something like Kano Kroil to loosen things till it will work. You may want to unhook 1 end of the return spring so you can look straight down into the 4th string area. I hope it is a string ball caught in the 4th linkage.
Been there and done that.
I had problem with a 1970's MSA Classic, That changer levers was hanging up. I had to pull the changer out and here is what I found. The White Lithium Grease after 50 years looked more like tan paint. An Ultra Sonic cleaner would not faze it. I had to shave off the worst with the knife, Then use 0000 steel wool to get to bare metal.
If it gets down to pulling the changer, Private message or E-mail a phone number, I will call you.
You may want to use something like Kano Kroil to loosen things till it will work. You may want to unhook 1 end of the return spring so you can look straight down into the 4th string area. I hope it is a string ball caught in the 4th linkage.
Been there and done that.
I had problem with a 1970's MSA Classic, That changer levers was hanging up. I had to pull the changer out and here is what I found. The White Lithium Grease after 50 years looked more like tan paint. An Ultra Sonic cleaner would not faze it. I had to shave off the worst with the knife, Then use 0000 steel wool to get to bare metal.
If it gets down to pulling the changer, Private message or E-mail a phone number, I will call you.
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Donny Hinson
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Re: All pull changer finger stuck. Please help
You've obviously got rust, and there's a lot of surface area friction on those old changers. Here's what I'd do before i took it apart:
Remove (or loosen) the strings so there's little or no tension on them. Then, unhook all the return springs. With that done, just take your fingers and move the pulling fingers, sliding the raise and lower fingers back and forth between each other. If you've oiled them enough at the tops and bottoms, they should begin to slide freely after a few minutes effort. And once you've you've got them to that point, you can rehook the springs and retune the guitar.
Remove (or loosen) the strings so there's little or no tension on them. Then, unhook all the return springs. With that done, just take your fingers and move the pulling fingers, sliding the raise and lower fingers back and forth between each other. If you've oiled them enough at the tops and bottoms, they should begin to slide freely after a few minutes effort. And once you've you've got them to that point, you can rehook the springs and retune the guitar.