Changing Carter Copedent.....Help

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 28 May 2006 3:58 pm

I need to loosen the pullers but I can't find the right tool to fit this buttonhead screw. What do I need?

Bill Moore (RIP) · Post by **Bill Moore (RIP)** » 28 May 2006 4:08 pm

If it's the small "torx" head screw, you probably can get one at an auto parts store. Maybe you will have to take the guitar with you, if you don't want to buy a whole set.

Jon Light (deceased) · Post by **Jon Light (deceased)** » 28 May 2006 4:10 pm

Hey Chris--you need an Allen wrench. My measurement shows 3/32". An Allen wrench with a star or ball end is ideal for getting into tight spots, working around rods & all.

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 28 May 2006 6:31 pm

This doesn't look overly easy. There are other rods running through these pullers, underneath the rods I wish to change. It seems you have to take off several unrelated rods to change each lever. This is a lot more complicated than other undercarriages I've worked on. If I'm missing something here, please let me know. This is the most modern steel I've owned; for all I know, this is the standard setup underneath for newer models....it just seems a bit labour-intensive to change a few levers.

For now I think I'll deal with the present lever setup, which is basically backwards from my old Sho-Bud setup. Oh well... I'll be paying attention at the gig Saturday night.

Dick Wood · Post by **Dick Wood** » 28 May 2006 7:25 pm

Chris, First off, it is a torx and unless you purchased the Carter used, it comes with one in the tool set. If you have the small set of tools that came with it, you will notice one long wrench in the set with a torx head on each end. If you try to use an Allen you will probably strip the head since it doesn't grip tight enough.

Carter uses extra pull bars with small plastic bushings as guides for the rods to go through which help keep the guitar quite.

To change pulls requires a little work.You have to sometimes remove other pulls in order to get at the one you want to change.After you've moved the pull, you should move the extra pull bar along with the plastic bushing to the new pulls position just like it was in it's prior position.

I hope that answers your questions.

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Cops aren't paid much so I steel at night.

Jon Light (deceased) · Post by **Jon Light (deceased)** » 28 May 2006 7:29 pm

Not looking at it, I can only say some general stuff.

Depending on....

--if the other rods are running thru but not hooked up to the puller in question and
--if there is not a cross rod so close that it is jamming you in

....then you can quite possibly

1) with any sort of tool---I like to use a small allen wrench as a hook--you can pull up on the offending rods to gain access to the puller screw, unscrew it and remove it (long needle nose pliers are excellent for removal).
2) then you can slide the puller off the cross rod and find the angle/orientation that allows you to get it free & clear of the other rods (I forgot to say that you have already removed the rod & pin that you are actually changing).

I don't know if this reads anywhere near as clearly as it is in my mind. None of this is theoretical---I have done this sort of maneuver many times on my Carter as I've mucked around with my setup.

If you do go ahead with this, don't forget to note which puller & changer holes are involved.

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 28 May 2006 7:41 pm

I bought the Carter used, so I didn't get the tool set. So, I will need the Torx wrench to make these changes. Yes, Jon, the needle nose will come in handy when dealing with all the extra rods I'll have to move - and those little rod fasteners that keep bouncing all over the undercarriage. Patience is a virtue. Dick, thanks for letting me know about that set of tools - I should just order one from Carter.

This, after all, is minor. I will get it changed eventually with the right tools. The main thing is that this guitar sounds GREAT, and I'm really pleased.

Al Marcus · Post by **Al Marcus** » 28 May 2006 8:25 pm

Chris-I know just what you are going through. Been there with many different guitars. It's not easy. I found the easiest one to ever change a pull for me, was the old rack and barrell sho-buds. I have had 3 or 4 in my life. You loosen the set screw on the barrel , pull the rod out and put it into a different hole, put the barrel back on and lock it in. Takes about 2 minutes. No need to fool with bellcranks or moving other rods.

Having said that, Carter now has the Magnum which I believe has changed the underneath and it is easier to work on, so I have heard.Patience......al

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richard burton · Post by **richard burton** » 28 May 2006 10:35 pm

When I had a Carter, it was always my test-bed for changes, as it was so easy to alter.

I can't understand why removing a few rods, to get at the torx screw, should be so problematic.

You could easily do it before breakfast, whilst still half asleep, with one hand tied behind your back !!

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 29 May 2006 1:26 am

Chris you didn't say what your setup is, mine is 9+8..and there is a lot of STUFF goin' on underneath..

kinda like Sunnyside Yard up in Queens NY..back in the days of the New Haven Railroad and the PRR doing the Passeneger train thing...

to get to the final destination..

be patient..

this is not a Pro I with 3 + 2....

A TORX driver set, a few small jewlers screwdrivers and a small Needle nose for the small brass barrels will get the job done no sweat...

t

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George Macdonald · Post by **George Macdonald** » 29 May 2006 5:29 am

Chris, It is a #10 torx wrench thatn you need for the pullers. You can get one from a local hardware or auto parts store. George

John Sluszny · Post by **John Sluszny** » 29 May 2006 10:44 am

How many levers?

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 29 May 2006 11:10 am

I've got 5 levers. I basically need to switch the LKR with the RKL. I want my E's on the RKL. Right now, the RKL is lowering the B's, and LKR is lowering the E's. The vertical is raising the F#'s. I would like to have the B's on the vertical. But my main goal for now is to get the E's on the RKL for Saturday's gig.

I'm going to get the Torx wrench today and we'll see from there. I should be okay, but may be asking for guidance along the way. Thanks everyone.........

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 30 May 2006 8:00 pm

Done. Three levers changed around. (RKR and the LKL were already fine.) George, I appreciate you giving me the exact size torx wrench. Once I picked that up today, it was all smooth sailing from there.

Thanks guys for your support.