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Dennis Montgomery


From:
Western Washington
Post  Posted 17 Feb 2024 6:12 pm    
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Hey all,

Decided to thin the herd and sell my Fender 400. So a few years ago I bought 2 Fender 400's and used the best parts of each to build this one (I kept the underneath hardware from the other and sold it as a console steel). All metal parts were fully disassembled, deep cleaned in naphtha solvent and lubed with Blaster Dry Teflon Lube. This has never left my home studio.

I've made several modifications:

Added 2 knee levers (these are built from $50 of parts from the Home Depot hardware aisle. They're not fancy but I find them comfortable and they work fine and you can always remove or upgrade).

Added the ability to adjust the tension springs to dial in a lighter touch on the pedals (you could easily undo this and return to the stock spring design).

Added an arm rest (this did require drilling 2 holes in the back of the metal frame. I can't fit the arm rest in the case so it's NOT included, but have included a picture for reference if you'd like to build your own).

This Fender 400 also includes the extra hardware from my other 400 (4 pedals, 4 pedal rods, 4 pedal to cable converters, 2 pedal to bridge cables (the other 2 are currently being used for the 2 knee levers), and the primary cable pulley. With a little ingenuity and the ability to customize the length of the existing bridge cables (and build a couple more) this hardware could be used to add an extra 4 pedals.

The current copedent is based on an open E chord:

Code:
      
          LK  A  B  C  D  RK
0.011 G#      G     A         
0.015 E   D#     D              
0.020 B                C# A#
0.024 G#      G     A         
0.030 E   D#     D              
0.038 B                C# A#
0.056 E                             
0.066 B


If you're curious to hear recordings with this copedent, check out the playlist from my album, "Armistice" at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ky4nQw9x_8&list=PLfXm8aXRTFz2Pz_GXhvmjne7lPEtsplyW

Of course one of the strengths of the Fender 400 is the ability to easily change copedents. While it does have a 1 raise/1 lower per string design limitation there are ways to get around that (for example, string 2 in the current copedent).

The case is in fair to poor shape and some sections are held together with gorilla tape. It does close and the latches work properly.

Price is $1250 - shipping included to anywhere in the lower 48. I'll knock $200 off for local pickup near Olympia WA.
Paypal only.

Those interested please Private Message me, that will be the official order of potential buyers. Thanks for looking Winking














_________________
Hear my latest album, "Celestial" featuring a combination of Mullen SD12 and Synthesizers:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhh6b_xXTx4&list=PLfXm8aXRTFz0x-Sxso0NWw493qAouK

Hear my album, "Armistice" featuring Fender 400 on every song:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfXm8aXRTFz2Pz_GXhvmjne7lPEtsplyW

Hear my Pedal Steel Only playlist featuring Mullen G2 SD12 on covers like Candyman, Wild Horses, Across the Universe & more...
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfXm8aXRTFz2f0JOyiXpZyzNrvnJObliA


Last edited by Dennis Montgomery on 10 Apr 2024 4:07 pm; edited 2 times in total
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John Groover McDuffie


From:
LA California, USA
Post  Posted 23 Mar 2024 11:26 am    
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Is this 23” scale or long scale?
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Dennis Montgomery


From:
Western Washington
Post  Posted 23 Mar 2024 12:05 pm    
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This is a 23" scale. My understanding is the early blond 400's were 24.5" and around 1962/63 Fender went to the sunburst finish, roller bridge & 23" scale.
_________________
Hear my latest album, "Celestial" featuring a combination of Mullen SD12 and Synthesizers:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhh6b_xXTx4&list=PLfXm8aXRTFz0x-Sxso0NWw493qAouK

Hear my album, "Armistice" featuring Fender 400 on every song:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfXm8aXRTFz2Pz_GXhvmjne7lPEtsplyW

Hear my Pedal Steel Only playlist featuring Mullen G2 SD12 on covers like Candyman, Wild Horses, Across the Universe & more...
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfXm8aXRTFz2f0JOyiXpZyzNrvnJObliA
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Alan Davidson


From:
California, USA
Post  Posted 23 Mar 2024 12:45 pm     Re: Fender 400 + Extra Parts For Sale: $1450
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Dennis Montgomery wrote:


Of course one of the strengths of the Fender 400 is the ability to easily change copedents. While it does have a 1 raise/1 lower per string design limitation there are ways to get around that (for example, string 2 in the current copedent).



How do you tune your LK? Is it by way of that piece of hardware screwed to the bottom next to the turnbuckle? It kind of looks like that piece of hardware has an ear that the hook on the turnbuckle passes through. But even if that is what I'm seeing, I still don't understand how it would enable you to tune the LK unless that hardware can be shifted. But it seems to be screwed in place.

BTW, this is the tuning I use (I love it):
https://b0b.com/wp/copedents/dennis-montgomerys-stacked-7ths/
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Dennis Montgomery


From:
Western Washington
Post  Posted 23 Mar 2024 3:02 pm     Re: Fender 400 + Extra Parts For Sale: $1450
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Alan Davidson wrote:
Dennis Montgomery wrote:


Of course one of the strengths of the Fender 400 is the ability to easily change copedents. While it does have a 1 raise/1 lower per string design limitation there are ways to get around that (for example, string 2 in the current copedent).



How do you tune your LK? Is it by way of that piece of hardware screwed to the bottom next to the turnbuckle? It kind of looks like that piece of hardware has an ear that the hook on the turnbuckle passes through. But even if that is what I'm seeing, I still don't understand how it would enable you to tune the LK unless that hardware can be shifted. But it seems to be screwed in place.

BTW, this is the tuning I use (I love it):
https://b0b.com/wp/copedents/dennis-montgomerys-stacked-7ths/


I'm so glad you like my stacked 7th tuning! My goal was to make it logical to visualize the string to string interval relationships for soloing without having to memorize several scale patterns. At the same time, I also wanted the tuning to be very 7th chord friendly for chord work. I used this for quite awhile before going to the current copedent.

OK, as for your LK question, I've never tried to explain this before so here goes Winking

Pedal 2 does the string 2 full step drop as expected. The tuning finger adjustment determines the stopping point to achieve a full step drop.

LK is configured to only pull the string 2 tuning finger roughly half the distance pedal 2 does. While I can't change the tuning finger adjustment more than once, I can limit the actual distance LK can travel.

You can see from the underside photo that the cable is looped on both sides of LK and secured with that bolted "U" trap piece. That keeps the cable length stable and prevents it from slipping when LK is engaged. Then the loop on the bridge side is attached to the threaded turnbuckle barrel with hooks on both sides. The hook on the LK side of the turnbuckle barrel assembly defines the distance from LK to the turnbuckle. The hook on the bridge side of the turnbuckle is secured to the body with that screwed down gold anchor plate. That's what limits the distance LK can move when engaged.

I used the turnbuckle barrel assembly because I knew it would be virtually impossible to get the exact cable distance necessary to get a precise half step drop. The turnbuckle barrel assembly makes fine tuning adjustments easy by spinning the turnbuckle which lengthens or shortens the cable distance from the anchor piece to LK. This in turn defines how far LK can actually move and thus, how far the tuning finger for string 2 actually moves.

Hope that makes sense Winking
_________________
Hear my latest album, "Celestial" featuring a combination of Mullen SD12 and Synthesizers:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhh6b_xXTx4&list=PLfXm8aXRTFz0x-Sxso0NWw493qAouK

Hear my album, "Armistice" featuring Fender 400 on every song:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfXm8aXRTFz2Pz_GXhvmjne7lPEtsplyW

Hear my Pedal Steel Only playlist featuring Mullen G2 SD12 on covers like Candyman, Wild Horses, Across the Universe & more...
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfXm8aXRTFz2f0JOyiXpZyzNrvnJObliA
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Alan Davidson


From:
California, USA
Post  Posted 23 Mar 2024 4:04 pm    
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OK, I get now how the LK tuning works. Thanks!

BTW, I actually stumbled onto your "stacked 7ths" tuning myself. I was trying to figure out a tuning that would enable me to play a full scale of parallel thirds without slants. This tuning does that. Then I began to realize how many other benefits it provides. One really cool aspect is that if you look at every other string, you've got GDAE, violin tuning (I play violin, or used to until my left hand gave out). Anyway, I've got an Excel PSG on order with a copedent for this tuning. It's going to be fun. BTW, somewhere or other I ran across a reference that attributed this tuning (unsurprisingly) to Jerry Byrd, although he set it on a different tonic.
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Dennis Montgomery


From:
Western Washington
Post  Posted 23 Mar 2024 4:32 pm    
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Alan Davidson wrote:

OK, I get now how the LK tuning works. Thanks!


You're very welcome!

Alan Davidson wrote:

BTW, I actually stumbled onto your "stacked 7ths" tuning myself. I was trying to figure out a tuning that would enable me to play a full scale of parallel thirds without slants. This tuning does that.


Cool! 2 great minds with but a single thought Smile

My original goal was something that could easily handle as many 7th chord qualities as possible. After setting it up, I was happily surprised how easy it was to solo when the strings were tuned to this predictable, repeating pattern Winking
_________________
Hear my latest album, "Celestial" featuring a combination of Mullen SD12 and Synthesizers:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhh6b_xXTx4&list=PLfXm8aXRTFz0x-Sxso0NWw493qAouK

Hear my album, "Armistice" featuring Fender 400 on every song:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfXm8aXRTFz2Pz_GXhvmjne7lPEtsplyW

Hear my Pedal Steel Only playlist featuring Mullen G2 SD12 on covers like Candyman, Wild Horses, Across the Universe & more...
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfXm8aXRTFz2f0JOyiXpZyzNrvnJObliA
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Dennis Montgomery


From:
Western Washington
Post  Posted 6 Apr 2024 12:57 pm    
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Saturday Price Drop: $1250 shipped to the lower 48, $1050 picked up in person near Olympia WA Winking
_________________
Hear my latest album, "Celestial" featuring a combination of Mullen SD12 and Synthesizers:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhh6b_xXTx4&list=PLfXm8aXRTFz0x-Sxso0NWw493qAouK

Hear my album, "Armistice" featuring Fender 400 on every song:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfXm8aXRTFz2Pz_GXhvmjne7lPEtsplyW

Hear my Pedal Steel Only playlist featuring Mullen G2 SD12 on covers like Candyman, Wild Horses, Across the Universe & more...
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfXm8aXRTFz2f0JOyiXpZyzNrvnJObliA
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Dennis Montgomery


From:
Western Washington
Post  Posted 10 Apr 2024 4:07 pm    
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Sold off forum. Please close.
_________________
Hear my latest album, "Celestial" featuring a combination of Mullen SD12 and Synthesizers:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhh6b_xXTx4&list=PLfXm8aXRTFz0x-Sxso0NWw493qAouK

Hear my album, "Armistice" featuring Fender 400 on every song:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfXm8aXRTFz2Pz_GXhvmjne7lPEtsplyW

Hear my Pedal Steel Only playlist featuring Mullen G2 SD12 on covers like Candyman, Wild Horses, Across the Universe & more...
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfXm8aXRTFz2f0JOyiXpZyzNrvnJObliA
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website


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