Shobud pro iii - Changing the low C string on the C6 neck

[joehw]

Hi,

I've struggled for the last year or so to get the low C ball end into the groove on the finger of string 10.

String 9 (.54w) only just goes in.
It seems as though the groove is too narrow to actually fit a .68 string in there.

Anyone other bud owners had this problem or have any tips?

- I'm using SIT strings and have also tried a .60 ernie ball which is also too wide...

Thanks.

[Ken Byng]

Joe - I have a Pro 111, and that bottom C string can be a nightmare to keep in place when fitting it for the first time. I put a pencil rubber down the changer finger to hold the string in place. Otherwise it's a tree handed job. I prefer pins rather than grooves, but sometimes a pin will snap off, and then you are left with the job of getting the particular changer finger out, drilling it and putting a new pin in place.

I did take the changer apart once and filed the slot a bit wider at the bottom to accommodate the ball end and the string winding.

[joehw]

Thanks for your input Ken,

Glad to know it's not just me.

I'll dig out a metal file and see if I can widen the space.

Cheers!

[bob adams]

Careful you don't lose the 'camel toe' altogether Joe!!.... a little hacksaw blade might be less erosive!

[Ken Byng]

Bob is right. Just take off a little at a time - I used a flat needle file on mine. Keep offering up a string to the groove until it just fits. Once there call it a day. Modern guitars that use the groove method of string retention have very close tolerance machined changers, and they work a treat. Those old Pro 111's were built around 40 years ago and in the main the grooves all varied in size thanks to more primitive methods of construction.

[Jimmy Gibson]

What I do if it won,t go in the changer groove is get some pliers or a vice and squash the winings next to the end of the string but make sure you squash it in line with the small collar ,then it will fit much easier.

Jimmy.

[joehw]

Thanks for all the input.

I took a small diamond file and slightly widened the groove just enough to fit the ball end in.

After 1 year I finally have a 10th string on my C6 neck!


Thanks,
Joe.