Re Fender PS-12

[Basil Henriques]

Well it's not for sale YET, but it will be soon.. see this:- http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=187943
Probably going to go for about $5,200 or £3,400 approx. PLUS Shipping, and believe me it's HEAVY..

[Rick B]

I've been fascinated by these things since I saw yours at JD's bash. Sent you a text re. it a few days ago as an early heads-up. Lotta money. Mind you, a lot of steel, and most likely unique.

[Basil Henriques]

Thanks Rick, I was wondering who the Rick B was that sent that text.. Thanks. It WOULD complete my collection of fender guitars, but no, I think it's too far gone from original condition and wouldn't be worth the expense..as an investment as an individual guitar it wouldn't justify the expected price.. It would enhance the value of a collection like mine, BUT I don't need it, and for me it's unplayable..almost 4' across the strings at BOTH ends..I would leave the left hand VERY tired..

[Zebedee]

Basil,
I'm looking at where the string is fastened to the tuner, and it seems to me that there is little point in wrapping the string around the post after the string has been retained by the screw, or am I missing something here ?

ZeBedee aka the spring man

[Basil Henriques]

No the string goes round one side of the post then the other, then DOWN to the screw then up to halfway through the slot where it's cut and the sharp end springs into the slot out of harms way..


Taken DIRECTLY from the PS-210 manual (Yes I have one).

TUNING MECHANISM

The new tuning mechanism is designed to eliminate excess string length and to provide a faster and more precise method of tuning and string changing
The tuner block(Right end of the instrument from playing position) must be adjusted to top before starting string installation. (See Fig.5) The string should be threaded through the hole in the raise lever (Left of the instrument). (See Fig.6). It is then routed through the slot in the string post. Loop the string around one side of the string post and back through the slot again. (See Fig.7). One loop is sufficient for most strings: However, it is suggested that two loops be used on small unwound strings. The string is then looped under the screw head and upwards through the string post slot. Tighten the screw firmly. Pull string out of slot gently. (Do not kink.) Clip off excess string approximately halfway through slot. (See Fig.8). Sharp end should spring back into slot. Grasp tuner knob with thumb on outside of frame and any finger on the inside and tune string to pitch. Small strings on high tunings should be tuned to pitch gradually.

This procedure will seem awkward at first but will soon prove to be much faster than traditional tuning ways.
--------------===========----------------

Notice the use of UK English spelling in the manual !! , words like "Through.."

[Basil Henriques]

There is a very interesting interview with Gen fields on the GFI web site.
http://www.gfimusicalproducts.com/Artic ... rticle.htm The relevant section starts at part #2


It is most interesting to read about the trials with hydraulics.. Whatever became of the test bed guitar ?

In 1963 myself and Lawrence Maciver were experimenting with both hydraulics and solenoids.
Lawrence was an aircraft technician in Bristol.
We manufactured the "Custom" Brand Pedal Steels. (Purely mechanical, but with the option of a photocell pickup that gave an almost perfect sine wave output)

Later (1965) John Birch and myself conducted tests with a solenoid system, but found it too noisy, although we did develop a few nice pickups..

As a point of interest in a completely different direction, I wonder just how many Technically minded Players/Builders have read the Gene Fields interview.
It's littered with ambiguous typographical errors, LIKE:-

"Another advantage of this system was the fact that the pedal spots were built into the changer, eliminating the possibility of thermal expansion and contraction in the changer.

What did they mean to say ?

Maybe, "Another advantage of this system was the fact that the pedal STOPS were built into the changer, eliminating the possibility of thermal expansion and contraction in the linkage mechanism affecting pitch ADJUSTMENTS."

And statements like "Standard Accessories: Hard shell plush lined case, cord, polishing cloth, rubber-tipped telescoping tubular steel legs."
Since when have legs been a accessory ?

I'm glad the legs were ordered with mine, I'd have hated to play it on my lap.. over 50lbs dead weight is not to be endured unless QUITE Warm.

And this Puzzling statement "Instrument can be tuned with the right hand while holding a chord with the left."