guidance for New steely

[Kevin Mac]

Hi,
I'm a guitarist/ dobro player and have finally decided to take the plunge with a PSG. I've just acquired an old twin neck Springfield, which seems in fair shape, except for a broken micro switch that needs replacing. Does anybody know much about these guitars and the parts used. It looks as if I might have to take the changer apart to replace the switch, and that is a bit daunting without a manual or a bit of guidance!

[Donny Johnston]

Hello Kevin, My name is Donny Johnston, In the early 80s I was sponsored by Springfield, I was a pro player at the time and they built me a guitar just like the one you have. I knew Bob Martin who originally owned the guitar. If you you go onto u tube and type in Jim Kerr steel player you will be able to make contact one of the 2 people who owned Springfield. He mainly plays lap steel now but there are some videos of him playing a Springfield. This guitar you have is virtually brand new, I don't think it would ever be out the house. If I can be anymore help let me know. Best of luck. Donny

[Mcneilwaeasteel]

Hello Kevin,
Welcome onboard, as Donny mentioned this is a really good guitar you have acquired, Bob Martin took really good care of it but as it's been in the case for a long time, some servicing may be required.
As for the faulty switch, try using switch cleaner, as it's probably corrosion from being in the case so long that's the problem and that may not be to bad.
Spray the switch and wiggle it about that may work, if not try taping a bit of fine string to the toggle, remove the nut holding the switch in place then push it into the body replace the switch and use the string to pull the replacement back through the hole.
As Donny mentioned the guitar was never gigged but it has been out the house, as Bob brought it over here on a few occasions and we enjoyed several afternoons together.
Good luck on your journey into the world of pedal steel
Cheers
Robert

[Tony Russell Davis]

Some good advice on the Springfield - I remember talking with Jim Kerr and playing one at Wembley Jambouree when he was launching his guitars (early 80's???).
Anyway, here's my tip, although you might already know this. Most Dobro players use a Stevens bar. It's important that you use a bullet nose bar for PSG (the same advice applies to any non-pedal guitar). Get in touch with a player or two (do we know whereabouts you live?) and try more than one size. The Dunlop 920 is a good place to start for an average size/weight bar but many players use a heavier one, especially for E9th.
Most of us will be only too pleased to help you, PM to make contact.
Cheers, Tony

[Kevin Mac]

Hi Guys,
thanks for the warm welcome and all of the tips! It is nice to get a bit of background on the guitar - it is in pretty good condition and doesn't look like it has ever been used in anger! it has 7 pedals and 6 knee levers, and It has been stood up in a loft for a good few years, and as well as needing a good clean up and deseizing the roller nut and changers, the set up seems to be half Day/ Half emmons. (says he sounding like he knows what he is talking about!). I am near Corby in northants, and popped over to see John Davis in St Neots yesterday, who was so helpful getting it playable, as well as making up one new rod for the E9 neck, andwas able to give me some really good pointers too. I tried to get the switch working with some servisol, but it really is shot unfortunately. The one that is gone is that which switches between the pickups, and as you guys who are familiar with these know, the switches are mounted in to the changer plates, this one in the back neck. So I have bitten the bullet, stripped out and labeled all of the rodding on the C6 neck and pulled off the changer. Now I am trying to work out the colour coding on the pick ups so that I can bypass the switch ( as each neck seems to have an on/off so it seems a bit irrelevant.) its going to be a while before I can get up to a standard where I will dare to go out to play, so quick changes from one neck to another aren't going to be an issue! Interestingly , whilst I Thought the pick ups were single coil, it looks from the three cable attached to the pick up as if they maybe hum buckers. Anyone know who made them?
Donny, thanks for the info on Jim Kerr, I have just been watching the youtube, and will try to contact him. Robert, I tried the too wiggle the switch around after loosening off the retaining nut., but the wiring is so old and stiff I was afraid that I would do more damage than good, hence the above rather more drastic approach!
Tony, thanks for the tips on the bar. As you say, I am going to have to try some different ones before I decide what suits me, but I am going to have to get the monster up and running before I do! I have an old Ernie Ball bar that I seem to have acquired some years ago, which will get me started I think.When I started up Dobro it took me ages until I found a Stevens style bar by Beard Guitars that really works for me. so any tips on bar what to try are most welcome
Cheers for now
Kevin

[Mcneilwaeasteel]

Kevin
Regards the pick up, it was wound by Jimmy Kerr or Bill McEwan on the premises they had in Greenock.
It is split coil wound giving two different impedances and the small micro switch should give each setting for that neck and its not an on/ off switch, so the one for switching between necks will need replacing.
You have a really good guitar and it will give pleasure and keep you busy for years to come, so spend the time on it now and service it properly at the start, you'll also learn the mechanics of the instrument at the same time!

[Kevin Mac]

Thanks Robert,
Electrics now all back together and working. I wondered whether the other microswitches were coil taps as you say, but the effect was to deaden the sound so much that I have left them permanently as on/off. Bypassing the neck selector switch is working fine, and some of the ageing cabling replaced and tidied up. Sounds Lovely! Now I will finish re installing the C6 changer and rods and see if I can get to grips with starting to learn this thing. IT is a beautiful guitar!

[Basil Henriques]

Kevin, if ever you need any help or such like, I am only a few miles from you.. DE12 8HB...
It's an addictive occupation..Now, what you need is a good tone bar and the right picks.
Don't be tempted to not use picks, the majority of the top players with the hit sounds use fingerpicks.
AND quite a few of the top players use my bar..

[Kevin Mac]

thanks Basil,
I am using National picks that I have found really comfortable so far, but went through mountain of different types before settling on these! I welcome any suggestions with a tone bar, as it took me quite a while to settle on my dobro bar, and that is great for that purpose but no use for the PSG.

[Mcneilwaeasteel]

Kevin
I am not only jealous of your guitar, but the fact that you live close to Basil and near John Davis, two of the best for advice and sharing their knowledge of pedal steel.
Not only top players use " Basil's bar " but numptie's like me think it's a great bar to use, I would seriously recommend you take advice from Bas and let him advise you as to the size, length and weight of bar that would suit your needs.
He may even have a few that you could try ,rumour has it they stick to your fingers like horse but without the smell!
Starting off with the right bar and picks is important and will save you from a lot of grief during the learning process, you will learn more from Bas and John in a few hours than any tips from videos or books, so get in there quick before they change their minds!
If you want the impedances of a Springfield pick up I'll stick them in the technical section, as I can easily check from the pick up I have on my 10 string " plank " that I built in 1977, that should just about cover everything I can help you with.
Cheers Robert
P. S.
No advantages or monetary gain has occurred in the promotion of the affore mentioned steelies or their products , although I live in hope from Bas and already have more " bum notes " than I can play from Mr Davis