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Steel Guitar Changer Return Spring Adjustments
 
     
 

NOTE: Do NOT attempt this until you have exhausted all other possible remedies to solve problems with the ability of your steel guitar to maintain its tuning. (Such as lubrication, string ball ends stuck in mechanism, etc.)

The return springs for the lowering finger of the changer should have been properly adjusted at the factory, and normally would require no further adjustment. However, over time, the springs may lose "memory" and not perform well.

The return spring must always be tight enough to hold the lowering finger against the return stop (stop bar) while the raise finger makes its complete travel. The spring must also return the lowering finger to the return stop after it completes its travel.

Test the springs by SLOWLY activating the pedal (or knee lever) of the raise or lower you are having problems with. Watch the lowering finger to make sure it stays against or fully returns to rest against the return stop.
Note: Occasionally the lowering finger may pull off during a portion of a raise and rest against the return stop at the end of the raise. Check for this condition.

If the lowering finger pulls away from the stop bar slightly or does not fully return, you can fix the problem in one of the two following ways:

  1. unhook the spring from the finger, cut one coil from the return spring, and then re-hook the spring on the lowering finger.
  2. Turn the spring adjustment screw about one turn clockwise

Recheck the lowering finger to verify that it remains against the stop. Repeat the test and adjustments as required.

Helper springs are not necessary on all designs.



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