Fessenden Finger Changer Weird Spacing

[Jean-Baptiste Schalber]

Hi everyone,
I just got my hand on some Fessenden finger changer washer thinking that a was missing some.
But after further look into it I got the same number of washer on both of my neck (2-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-2) but as seen on the picture on the E9 neck there is a big gap at the first string and one of the finger is not flush.
What should I look for?
Should I had more washer? Is one of the part bent?
Any help would be appreciated
Thank guys

[Dale Rivard]

Hi Jean, It looks like there might be a washer missing on the far side of the 10th string. However, you can remove or at least loosen all of the strings. Then, you should be able to move the changers fingers anywhere you want along the shaft. Just space them out somewhat evenly.

[Lee Baucum]

It appears that a few of the strings are not centered on top of the changer fingers. That would explain some of the spacing issues between the strings.

[Jean-Baptiste Schalber]

Hi Jean, It looks like there might be a washer missing on the far side of the 10th string. However, you can remove or at least loosen all of the strings. Then, you should be able to move the changers fingers anywhere you want along the shaft. Just space them out somewhat evenly.

That what I was thinking but looking at it I got the same amount of washer on both of my neck.
It’s a good thing I manage to find some washer for it.
So I basically need to loose the string, make sure the string are centered, move the finger until I got the correct string spacing, then add the good amount of washer at one or the other end of the changer?

[Bobby D. Jones]

Bon jour Jean. The pictures help a lot, To understand the problem.
There is a problem with the 10th string (Far left) finger and the changer raise lever.
The raise bar may be bent, Or there is a washer between the raise lever and finger. Holding the raise lever from contacting the side of the 10th string finger.
Between the 10 string rise bar, And the 9th string finger, The space looks wide, Is there 2 washers in the space?

You need to get the spacing the same between all 10 string fingers and raise bar pivots, Then evenly divide the number of washers between changer shaft bracket and the 10th string finger, And the 1st string changer lever and the Changer shaft bracket on the right side.
Be sure the Split tuning screws on the back of the changer center up on each string finger. For proper operation.

Good Luck in this project and Happy Steelin.

[Jean-Baptiste Schalber]

Bon jour Jean. The pictures help a lot, To understand the problem.
There is a problem with the 10th string (Far left) finger and the changer raise lever.
The raise bar may be bent, Or there is a washer between the raise lever and finger. Holding the raise lever from contacting the side of the 10th string finger.
Between the 10 string rise bar, And the 9th string finger, The space looks wide, Is there 2 washers in the space?

You need to get the spacing the same between all 10 string fingers and raise bar pivots, Then evenly divide the number of washers between changer shaft bracket and the 10th string finger, And the 1st string changer lever and the Changer shaft bracket on the right side.
Be sure the Split tuning screws on the back of the changer center up on each string finger. For proper operation.

Good Luck in this project and Happy Steelin.

Thank's for the reply
For what I can see there is no washer at the spot you mention.
I also notice that on the 10 string the screw for the split tuning is not center with the finger.
Like I say in my last post i'm gonna try loosing ( might as well change ) the string, be sure the string are center on the finger, then make sure the string spacing is equal on all the string then add washer of both end of the changer.
That how I got this guitar don't know what could have happen maybe the last guy lost some washer and never bother to fix it.

[Dave Grafe]

For reference here is what a Fessy changer in proper shape looks like, the washers are clearly visible

[Bobby D. Jones]

Thanks Dave, That is a great picture for reference of proper order of spacers and fingers, On a Fessenden Guitar.
1 picture is worth a page of words.

[Jean-Baptiste Schalber]

For reference here is what a Fessy changer in proper shape looks like, the washers are clearly visible

Thank you for that picture

[J D Sauser]

Hi Jean, It looks like there might be a washer missing on the far side of the 10th string. However, you can remove or at least loosen all of the strings. Then, you should be able to move the changers fingers anywhere you want along the shaft. Just space them out somewhat evenly.

Yep that's what it looks like.

You can buy metal and delron washers of Amazon or Ebay and ACE hardware stores have them too, to fill the gaps on both ends. You will want to have a delron washer on the inside (touching moving parts) on both ends!

But first you would also want to check if your changer supports are bolted TIGHT.

... J-D.