I've rehabbed dozens, if not hundreds, of old Kluson Deluxe tuners - both strip tuners and individual tuners - over the years. I haven't had a reason to, always achieving satisfactory results using the procedure described above. Your English is just fine.)įrans, I've never tried to remove the stamped gear housing on a Kluson Deluxe. Searching out and obtaining original replacement parts may not be cost effective. If it's functional as is, I'd just play it and enjoy it. They were manufactured for years and years, and are not particularly scarce. No knock on Champs (I have a Studio Deluxe, which is basically a Champ with legs, and I love it), but keep in mind they were marketed as entry-level student instruments back in the day. Most were anodized black, not chrome plated. I agree with Jim that the bridge cover is missing (many folks removed them, as to some - myself included - they're an impediment to their playing technique), and the knobs may not be original. I prefer these Gotoh TK-0700-001s to the reissue Klusons: It's possible one end of the base plate may need to be chopped off (Fender used a custom die from nearby toolmakers Race & Olmsted). Replacement strip tuners are available, but the ones I've seen have either metal or white plastic buttons. Removing the old lubricant and re-lubing as explained above should do the trick.
You could attempt to straighten the shaft(s), but beware there is a risk of breakage. If they are hard to turn, it's doubtful bent shafts are the reason. This is not that important but if it bothers you, they may be found on Ebay at some point.įrans, your Kluson strip tuners appear to be original. They are normally knurled black aluminum. You are missing the bridge cover, and your control knobs may not be original. Other things I have noticed about your Champ: Earlier champs from the 50s would have a tweed covered case. Note my case is from the Fender "Brown face" era which lines up with 1963.
FENDER CHAMPION LAP STEEL YEARS CODE
Read the code on your Tone pot if you are curious. This tells me my guitar was not manufactured before 1963. My volume pot is 250K ohm Audio taper type and reads 304-6340, the 40th week of 1963. The 6336 indicates it was manufactured in the 36th week of 1963. My Tone pot is a 1Meg ohm Linear type with code 304-6336. You can tell the approximate date of manufacture of the guitar by reading the date codes on the pots. This is how both pots on my champ looks so I assume the volume pot was changed at some point? The tone pot has a concentric ring stamped in its case.
I notice your volume potentiometer looks different than the your tone potentiometer. Frans, first off you have a great lap steel there and congrats.
0 kommentar(er)
