Oil from changer

[Carl Burcham]

I just noticed while I was playing my Emmons, there was some oil coming from the changer. Is this something to be worried about?

[Jason Putnam]

Mine does this after I oil the changer. It’s like it’s pushing the old oil out.

[Tony Prior]

Years back I acquired a mid 90's Legrande II, the changer was leaking Black Goo, it eventually got on my right hand. Its a mess but curable .

Here is the thread for my LII Changer cleaning, maybe it will help.

https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtop ... t=changers

[Doug Palmer]

In the words of Ron Lashley Sr., "That is the sign of a healthy changer." When the changer was assembled automotive grease was used to coat the axle. That is what you see. Very normal. Even in a new guitar. Unless the fingers are dragging or wobbling, nothing is required other than normal oiling from the top down. At Emmons Guitar we used 3 in 1 oil. Stay away from exotic oils with detergents, etc. You should be good for 50 more years. lol

[Brian Spratt]

If the guitar plays well, just wipe it off and play on. If the pedal action isn't smooth, you may get improved results pulling it and cleaning it. I wrote a guide on how to clean a push-pull changer in great detail here:

https://thepedalstop.net/how-to-remove- ... l-changer/

[Jerry Overstreet]

No cause for alarm. The black stuff is aluminim dust from friction. There is no way you can ever prevent it. The oil just makes it migrate to an open space.

You can just wipe it off if it bothers you, but it will do it again after oiling again.

It doesn't need a lot of oil there..just a drop or 2 with a needle oiler is enough and it won't show as bad if you use less oil.

Even if you disassemble and clean the changer, it will still come back because of the movement of the fingers on the axle and against the spacers.

[Roy Thomas]

sure hope it isn't WD 40
if you put that on a pedalmaster, warranty voided.
initially, i use a silicon clear grease and suggest hopie gun oil.
seeing black isn't a good thing. a properly maintained changer should go 20 years with no issues.
one of the worst things i ever saw was nicotine residue. had a guy come in with one that we just threw away, cheaper to make a new one. it was seized up with tar and no telling what else.

[Bobby D. Jones]

Raw Aluminum + Human Sweat = Black Goo. Add oil to Black Goo it becomes a Creepy, Crawley Black Goo, That will creep out of the changer.
I pulled both changers out of a 50 year old MSA Classic. This was the Creepy, Crawley Black Goo hiding in the changer.

[Carl Burcham]

Just wanted to say thanks for everyone who replied, I had Steve Lamb go thru this Emmons and set it up, been sitting in a closet for the past 25 years, I’m just getting started learning on steel but I’m picking it up pretty quick can already play along with a few songs.

[Jerry Overstreet]

Congratulations Carl on getting this fine guitar and getting back to playing it.

Steve Lamb has a terrific reputation so I'm quite sure the guitar is is fine shape.

You should be good to go for many years.

Keep us posted on your progress. Enjoy!