Some mornings I wonder why I get out of bed. So, this morning I made a few adjustments to my Expert soundbox, and it was playing like a champ on my Expert Senior. I played a Sousa march, and felt like I was being blasted out of the room. Well, I decided to make one more adjustment. I made a small turn of the screw for one spring. I then made another small turn to the other spring. Tink! One of the springs split in half. Does anyone know of a source for replacements? Otherwise, know anyone that might be able to make us a bunch of these, so that I can slowly sell mine when everyone else's springs start to rust?
WANTED: Replacement Expert Soundbox Springs
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- Victor IV
- Posts: 1524
- Joined: Wed Jan 07, 2009 10:07 pm
- Location: Lille, France
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- Victor IV
- Posts: 1524
- Joined: Wed Jan 07, 2009 10:07 pm
- Location: Lille, France
Re: Needed: Replacement Expert Soundbox Springs
Tell you what. Who is interested in these springs if I have some made? I have a possible order of 100, and we would need to make at least several hundred to break even.
Garret
Garret
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- Victor VI
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Re: Needed: Replacement Expert Soundbox Springs
I had 500 Exhibiton springs made 10 years ago and still haven't sold them all ! how many EMG soundboxes were made ?
- emgcr
- Victor IV
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Re: Needed: Replacement Expert Soundbox Springs
I would be interested, subject to price, but please make sure the specification is as per original---good quality spring steel of the correct section with the right heat treatment etc. As you have discovered, they do rust and break so I would think you might well get your money back. There are plenty of soundboxes around and people would be well advised to keep spares. Unfortunately, Expert springs are of a different design.
- Orchorsol
- Victor IV
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Re: Needed: Replacement Expert Soundbox Springs
Garret, your soundbox pictured with the broken spring is an EMG, not an Expert.
I would definitely buy a number of spare springs for either or both types, but as Graham says, the metallurgy will need attending to.
I would definitely buy a number of spare springs for either or both types, but as Graham says, the metallurgy will need attending to.
BCN thorn needles made to the original 1920s specifications: http://www.burmesecolourneedles.com
Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe4DNb ... TPE-zTAJGg?
Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe4DNb ... TPE-zTAJGg?
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- Victor IV
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Re: WANTED: Replacement Expert Soundbox Springs
Gentlemen,
Thank you for your response. Do we know how EMG made these springs, and what sort of heat treatment was employed? Alternatively, perhaps the sample could be sent to a metallurgy lab for testing?
Garret
Thank you for your response. Do we know how EMG made these springs, and what sort of heat treatment was employed? Alternatively, perhaps the sample could be sent to a metallurgy lab for testing?
Garret
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- Victor Jr
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Re: WANTED: Replacement Expert Soundbox Springs
When I bought my EMG MkX, the soundbox, which was the original EMG four spring, had recently been overhauled by the legendary George Overstall.
He evidently had the same problem in sourcing replacements, two of which were needed, and solved the problem by fashioning them out of piano wire. The basic shape was exactly similar, and the contact point was made by clipping the wire at an angle. These funtioned extremely well, and as far as I know are still in place after nearly 40 years.
May not be the ultimate solution to the problem, but it is certainly a very useful temporary expedient.
He evidently had the same problem in sourcing replacements, two of which were needed, and solved the problem by fashioning them out of piano wire. The basic shape was exactly similar, and the contact point was made by clipping the wire at an angle. These funtioned extremely well, and as far as I know are still in place after nearly 40 years.
May not be the ultimate solution to the problem, but it is certainly a very useful temporary expedient.
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- Victor IV
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Re: WANTED: Replacement Expert Soundbox Springs
What an idea! Would it be possible to see a picture?clipper wrote:When I bought my EMG MkX, the soundbox, which was the original EMG four spring, had recently been overhauled by the legendary George Overstall.
He evidently had the same problem in sourcing replacements, two of which were needed, and solved the problem by fashioning them out of piano wire.
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- Victor Jr
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Re: WANTED: Replacement Expert Soundbox Springs
Sad to say that the EMG is in Hertford, and I am here in Northern France, so photos would be difficult, as the present owner does not use a computer.
However, when I am next in England I will endeavour to secure some pics
However, when I am next in England I will endeavour to secure some pics
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- Victor IV
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Re: WANTED: Replacement Expert Soundbox Springs
Please know that a materials science professor at Virginia Tech, a noted research university on the U.S. East Coast, has offered to test and analyze the composition of the metal in these springs as a project for two of his graduate students. This should serve as a good starting point for remanufacturing. This is a slow process, but these springs will be remanufactured - eventually. Please check periodically for further updates.
Best Wishes,
Garret
Best Wishes,
Garret