Cleaning Changer in Place

Tim Heidner · From: Groves, TX

Well, crud.

I got everything put back together, put a new set of strings on, plugged it in and got no sound. Had sound on the C6 neck. None on the E9.

I have managed to disconnect or short out the pickup while moving it around to get the neck off.

bleh Crying or Very sad

Dave Magram · From: San Jose, California, USA

Hi Tim,

It sounds like you may have already fixed the problem of the stuck roller-nuts.

If not, here's what worked for me...
Years ago when I had to remove the roller-nuts from my guitar, the axle was jammed really tight in the nut and I couldnâ€™t get it out.

My solution was to cut in half five 4â€ wooden skewers (used for cooking shish kebab), and remove all the strings.

I then inserted the pointy end of each half-skewer under each of the ten roller-nuts, and then gently tapped once on each skewer with a small piece of wood, starting with the 1st string roller, then the 2nd string, etc. in sequence to the 10th string.
I then repeated the process a couple of times to gradually and gently pry the roller-nut axle out of the nut.

I then used fine emery cloth to polish the roller-nut axle, and carefully clean the slots on the nut.
I then cleaned up each roller-nut with alcohol and the emery cloth.

When all the metal parts were free of dirt and burrs, I put a thin film of Tri-Flow on the axle, the roller-nuts, and the nut slots; wiped off the excess and re-assembled everything.
Never had a problem since.

-Dave

Tim Heidner · From: Groves, TX

The roller nuts weren't stuck, I just wanted to go ahead and clean them while I had the strings off. Bill told me to get a small flat head screwdriver and pry up, it popped right out. I just didn't know if I needed to drive the shaft out sideways or if it came out vertically.

Tim Heidner · From: Groves, TX

Now I gotta take all those strings back off to fix the damn pickup. Rolling Eyes

Bryan Martin · From: Quebec, Canada

Gentlemen,

One product I found that works very well, and is mild on the hands, has no fumes and cleans up with water is ZEP 505 degreaser. I have had great success with this, and It can be used indoors.

Just another option. PS, it is wise to wear gloves.

Cheers, Bryan

Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

looks great Tim, better than new.

And for certain, you would never be able to inspect, clean and smooth the changer axle without taking it apart , as thats where all the back goo is oozing from.

Great work ! Smile

_________________
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Pro Tools 12 on WIN 7 !
jobless- but not homeless- now retired 9 years

CURRENT MUSIC TRACKS AT > https://tprior2241.wixsite.com/website

Tim Heidner · From: Groves, TX

Thanks, Tony. Yes, that part of it came out real nice, unfortunately the pickup wire came unsoldered while I was doing all the moving it around to get at the changer mount screws. It has a wide mount base on it and I couldn't see how to get it soldered back without taking that wide mount base off, and the base got broken in the process. Pickup is toast.
I ordered a new 409 PW from Telonics, but it's going to take a couple weeks to get made.
I'm trying to work up the courage to swap the C6 pickup over to the E9 neck, I'm not much good with the C6 neck. Plus I want to see how the cleaned up changer works.
Just wondering if I can get that wire mesh shielding splice unsoldered so I can move the leads around.

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

I've had good luck with the "Bondic" type adhesives for many items. Seems to work even in areas with pressure. I would give that a try on the broken pickup mount. Won't hurt and you may get lucky.
_________________
GFI Ultra Keyless S-10 with pad (Black of course) TB202 amp, Hilton VP, Steelers Choice sidekick seat, SIT Strings
Cakewalk by Bandlab and Studio One V4.6 pro DAWs, MOTU Ultralite MK5 recording interface unit

Tim Heidner · From: Groves, TX

No, this pickup is beyond repair, at least without sending it off to get re-wired. I got the cover off, but the pickup wire came out with it. I guess I did it wrong. Laughing

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

Too bad.

_________________
GFI Ultra Keyless S-10 with pad (Black of course) TB202 amp, Hilton VP, Steelers Choice sidekick seat, SIT Strings
Cakewalk by Bandlab and Studio One V4.6 pro DAWs, MOTU Ultralite MK5 recording interface unit

Tim Heidner · From: Groves, TX

That seems to be my standard procedure on most everything, try to fix one thing and end up screwing up something else in the process.

Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

That's "Murphy's Law".

Murphy's Law says one plus one hardly ever equals 2.
_________________
GFI Ultra Keyless S-10 with pad (Black of course) TB202 amp, Hilton VP, Steelers Choice sidekick seat, SIT Strings
Cakewalk by Bandlab and Studio One V4.6 pro DAWs, MOTU Ultralite MK5 recording interface unit

Tim Heidner · From: Groves, TX

They need to repeal that law. Crying or Very sad

Tim Heidner · From: Groves, TX

w00t!!! I got the C6 pickup swapped over to the E9 neck and it's making sound! Now I can see how the cleaned up changer does.

Tim Heidner · From: Groves, TX

This thing is staying in tune, now! Smile

Mike Scaggs · From: Nashville, TN

Tim Heidner · From: Groves, TX

Thanks, Mike. One thing I learned is a new level of respect for the work that guys like you do. These things are a pain in the butt to work on. They sure sound nice when they're working right, though.

Mike Scaggs · From: Nashville, TN

Tim Heidner · From: Groves, TX

I got the beer part down, I'm gonna have to work on that last part, I get a little impatient.

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