The Electra Forums

The E and D tuners on my guitar are loose. I've been looking at replacement ones, and then I realized that Electra Tuners are different than the standard LP tuners, so I'd have to drill new holes. What would be a good place to find 3+3 Electra tuners? Ebay doesn't have them at the moment.

Secondly, the volume knob is stuck to the potentiometer, almost like super glue. No amount of pulling will remove it. What would be the best way to remove the knob from the potentiometer? I want to avoid anything that will damage the guitar, for obvious reasons.

Thanks,
James

Check to see that there's not a grubb screw holding the knob onto the pot shaft first

.Knob removal of push-on splined knobs that are frozen on normally means the 2-spoon approach from me; get two spoons, put a rag or similar on the surface of the guitar to avoid scratching it, and put the tip of the spoons diametrically opposite one another and gently lever the offending knob off.

Can't help with tuners but someone in here will be able to...

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"... and on the eighth day, God created New Zealanders.

Because even the Australians need heroes."

It's a push on. I just tried it - no luck. It actually bent one of the spoons.
I guess I'll let a guitar tech try to do it.

If it's plastic I'd saw it in half, o at least get a good line scored and use an automitove nut splitter.

You could try gently heating it with a hair dryer while protecting the finish with a slightly damp rag. As for the tuners, a picture would help as Electra used different tuners at different times. I have some spares that may work,

Alright. I may try the saw on a good day...

The tuners look like this. Click for a larger picture:

Sorry about the subpar quality.


One more thing - I've been noticing for a while that the A string has been having bridge buzz. The string is in the notch correctly, but I noticed that the saddle is a lot looser than the others; it freely moves around. Is a full bridge replacement in order? or can the old bridge saddle be fixed? It's probably from 30 years of misuse.

By the way, I've only been learning guitar for about 3 months, so I'm still new with the whole repair thing. My dad believes that a new guitar would be better than fixing this one, because he "bought this one for $40 about thirty years ago."

I have some cheap tuners that I think would fit without new screw holes or enlarging the peg head. Yous look like older small pegs rather than 10mm ones. They are yours if you want them. Your father is about is as wrong you can get. You have a very nice guitar with minor problems. it would take at least $300 to get somthing comparable today and then you could count yourself lucky. Since you are in NYC as I am, I would be happy to help with any repairs.

That's what I'm always telling him. How much would you want for the tuners?

Thank you so much for the offer.

Yep; with all due respect to your father, what you have is a high quality instrument that to replace with a modern one of comparable quality will cost quite a lot more than you can imagine. And what's more you have the expertise of the crew in here who are both knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the brand and will help you get up and running with a minmum of fuss and bother!

Your dad can't be all bad, however - he bought the guitar in the first place!!

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"... and on the eighth day, God created New Zealanders.

Because even the Australians need heroes."

Good point.
About five minutes ago I told him that I wanted to get the guitar set up because it had fret buzz, and he said "that's too involved. You have to remember, I bought that guitar for forty dollars, 23 years ago."

I'll just have to get it fixed and setup without him. I'm appreciating the help and kindness here.

There's no huge mystery to setting up a guitar to your own tastes; plenty in here are well qualified to advise you; I usually have to dig out Ritchie Fleiglers book and re-read the relevant sections!! Hey, I'm a guitarist, not a bloody rocket scientist...
Seriously, there is not a whole hell of a lot to get wrong as long as you remember a few basic rules, like never, ever force a screw or nut that doesn't want to move easily as there is usually a very good reason why it won't move, like it's reached the end of it's travel or it's frozen!
I take photos and write down positions and values before I start anything as it's helpful to have a quantifiable datum point to start from and return to... I know, I know, really anal but it works for me!
I'm sure the guys who actually know their stuff will be along to help shortly...

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"... and on the eighth day, God created New Zealanders.

Because even the Australians need heroes."

You may be able to replace the one 'A' saddle on the bridge, it would be a shame to replace the whole darn thing, and you may have issues even finding a bridge with the right dimensions, spacing and metric threads. You might also be able to stuff a spacer or something in there to keep it tight, I've seen guitars with matchbooks stuffed up underneath the bridge, and a recent Herman's Hermits video showed a hankerchief threaded through the strings for that 'Banjo' sound on 'Mrs. Brown you've got a lovely daughter'... what ever works is acceptable (until you want to sell it!).

I too think your dad may be selling this guitar a little short, even the bolt-on matsumokos (has the wave headstock) are held in pretty high regard, especially on a enthusiast site such as this. Some of the earlier Electras with the 'Kooky' logo I have my doubts about, but by this era, they were very consistent.

I tell you that Charvel doesn't look too bad either. If it's got the Licensed Floyd Rose, they are not the easiest bridge to master... have to cut off the string ball and have special allen keys to change strings on... but the Charvels with the 'Guitar' logo are lightyears ahead of the later 'Lipstick' logo Charvels. I used a '87 Model 4 for ten years in a harsh road environment, and she never failed me. Redeye and I dusted off the case and pulled her out during the ElectraFest (probably haven't touched it in three years) and it was in perfect tune still... Once the bridge is set up right (base should be parallel to body) for your string gauge, they are pretty reliable. That era Charvel was not a cheap toy, take a look at the slab of Rosewood on the neck, it's like a third of an inch thick, that was a quality piece man. Personally I prefer them without pickguards, with the pickups mounted right to the body, but still, nothing to turn your nose up to. Enjoy, Mike.

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Electra Guitar Videos ===> http://www.youtube.com/user/mjm33mjm?feature=watch

I can't check at the moment, but I'm 99% sure that the bridge isn't a Floyd Rose. It's closer to a Fender bridge than a Floyd Rose.

Edit: It's a Kahler.

A vintage Kahler in good shape is worth a heck of a lot more than $40 all on its own. The tuners are your for the asking. Either we can meet up if you are around NYC or if I have that wrong just pm me yoru address and I will send them to you. They are just taking up space here. Be aware that thought hey are servicable they are not good tuners.

I was able to set up the bridge on the Charvel. It was a pain, and i hurt my fingers fighting with the strings, but the bridge is now straight. Victory.

Also, Workingman - I am around NYC, so it wouldn't be too hard to meet. My only request is to choose a place easily accessible by subway.