Changer pin broke while changing strings

[Mike Heavner]

I want to start with an apology if this topic has already been discussed. To my point, I was changing strings on my Emmons lashley Legrande and while attempting to put my 4th string on (E) The pin that the string attached to broke off. To be honest I don't know where to begin to repair it. Even if I did have the knowledge I would hesitate to try. I live south of Fort Worth Texas if anyone in my area could repair it, or someone that could walk me through the process of how to repair it. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Jerry Overstreet]

There have been several discussions concerning broken pins on Emmons guitars. My buddy had the same thing happen to his LG and had Derby Steel repair it for him.

Here's just one of the older discussions concerning the problem. You can read through it to see the various methods of repair.
Someone mentions drilling a new hole below the broken pin location while others recommend replacing the finger.
viewtopic.php?t=370036&hilit=broken+changer+pin

Best to have a professional steel guitar mechanic perform the procedure as either method requires proper skills, tools and replacement pins. Ought to be someone in your area that is capable.

[Ronald Sikes]

I had a pin that got bent one time ( my fault). I took a pair or needle nose pliers , long nose, and was able to twist it back and forth while pulling on it, and remove it.
Then I was able to replace it. I actually had my wife hold the new pin in position while I tapped the new one in. It worked fine and it’s not as bad as it seems. The spring pin is 1/16” on mine.

[Jerry Overstreet]

Might work except if the pin is broken flush there's no way to get hold of it. If it's a solid pin, you're stuck...if it's a roll pin you might be able to wedge something inside it and work it out, but the chance is slim as the ID is very small.

[Mike Heavner]

Thanks for the responses, I'll look into some things. I'm definitely not comfortable to even attempt to try this repair myself.

[mtulbert]

Try Steve Lamb.

I think he is still located in White Settlement which is not too far from you. I believe that he is still in business.

Mark T

[Jerry Overstreet]

I spent a lot of years in the automotive repair industry dealing with broken studs. I wouldn't even think about trying to drill a hardened steel pin out of an aluminum roller bridge. Disaster strikes.

[Donny Hinson]

That's always been my big complaint with pinned changers, they can leave you high and dry in a heartbeat. It normally happens when you tighten the string and the ball isn't solidly seated against the finger. And yes, the only easy fix is to drill another hole below the broken pin, and insert a new one. And I'll add (knowing that it will ruffle some feathers) that if a manufacturer that was really concerned and conscientious, they would install two pins in each finger, thus sidestepping a potential disaster when the player's out gigging and a pin breaks off. I'd value that a lot more than that "purty woodgrain" on the front of the guitar that some players rave about!

[Bobby D. Jones]

An old machine shop trick, When you need a hole and stout pin.

Ace hardware/Lowes and others sell single drill bits. Erwin brand, Single shrink wrapped bits.
Drill the hole with the drill bit, Then cut the smooth shank end off the drill bit. With a grinder or Dremel Tool. Taper 1 end and use the drill shank for the required strong pin.
Good Luck in this project, Happy Steelin.

[Jerry Overstreet]

Guess it's not a trade secret since he has passed, but Charlie Stepp used particular size needle bearings from driveshaft U-joint cups for pins on the Derby. Never heard of one bending or breaking.

[Mike Heavner]

An old machine shop trick, When you need a hole and stout pin.

Ace hardware/Lowes and others sell single drill bits. Erwin brand, Single shrink wrapped bits.
Drill the hole with the drill bit, Then cut the smooth shank end off the drill bit. With a grinder or Dremel Tool. Taper 1 end and use the drill shank for the required strong pin.
Good Luck in this project, Happy Steelin.

Thanks, Is there an easy way to remove the changer to drill the necessary Hole? All of this is new to me not to mention how nervous I would be just trying to remove the changer.

[Don Mogle]

You might want to contact Rick Price who lives about 2 hours west of San Antonio.

Another one to consider is Gary Carpenter who lives in west Fort Worth near White Settlement.

[Mike Heavner]

Is he located at lambs music in white settlement?

[Ron Hogan]

I want to start with an apology if this topic has already been discussed. To my point, I was changing strings on my Emmons lashley Legrande and while attempting to put my 4th string on (E) The pin that the string attached to broke off. To be honest I don't know where to begin to repair it. Even if I did have the knowledge I would hesitate to try. I live south of Fort Worth Texas if anyone in my area could repair it,
or someone that could walk me through the process of how to repair it. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Mike, I’m also about to tackle the same issue on my Justice C6 neck. I was out on a gig when it happened. I plan on investigating it this week to see what I get into. In my over 50 years of playing, it’s the first time this has happened.

I’ll keep in touch with my findings.

[Dean Smith]

I second what Mark Tulbert recommends for having Steve Lamb look at it.

It doesn't sound like you are wanting to repair yourself, but Bobby Jones' process is about the best procedure for replacing that pin.

[Mike Heavner]

I sent him an Email, The roads here In texas is covered with Ice, so he may not be in the shop today. Hopefully I'll here something soon.

[Mike Heavner]

I want to start with an apology if this topic has already been discussed. To my point, I was changing strings on my Emmons lashley Legrande and while attempting to put my 4th string on (E) The pin that the string attached to broke off. To be honest I don't know where to begin to repair it. Even if I did have the knowledge I would hesitate to try. I live south of Fort Worth Texas if anyone in my area could repair it,
or someone that could walk me through the process of how to repair it. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Mike, I’m also about to tackle the same issue on my Justice C6 neck. I was out on a gig when it happened. I plan on investigating it this week to see what I get into. In my over 50 years of playing, it’s the first time this has happened.

I’ll keep in touch with my findings.

Good Luck and keep me Informed. Lucky for me there is supposedly a guy named Steve at a music store about 45 minutes from me that can repair it. My understanding is that this isn't common. there was another guy that had the same problem with the same pin { 4th Changer pin } that broke.

[Ricky Davis]

I remember couple years after getting my new Lashley Legrande in 1990; I had a pin break off changing strings; I called Emmons and told what happened and 4 days later; I got a brand New Changer in the Mail for Free. That right there was a company very interested in their customers. Here's me playing it in its first Video>
https://youtu.be/csfOxkzmve8?si=U-msrGzz6rpcXvKD
Ricky

[Mike Heavner]

Not sure I would get that lucky. LOL I'm going to call Steve this morning at Lamb music to see if he can help.

[Ricky Davis]

Not sure I would get that lucky. LOL I'm going to call Steve this morning at Lamb music to see if he can help.

Yeah Mike; Steve is LONG time comrade; as when I lived in Mansfield back in the 90's; me and Carp would stop by his shop and bug him all the time...He's Super GREAT at anything he does bro.
Tell him; Ricky says Hey. Oh and I'm at Lil Red's Saloon in Cowtown Feb 21st Saturday night; come see me if you can.(playing steel w/Weldon Henson)
Ricky

[Mike Heavner]

Thanks to everyone who replied to my problem with the pin breaking on the changer, I was able to take it to Steve in FT. Worth Texas at Lambs Music, Really Nice guy. He was Familiar with my problem and will be repairing My Emmons lashley legrande. He's a little backed up due to the weather here but assured me he would get me taken care of. Once again, Thanks to all of you who gave advice and pointed me in the right direction.

[Ricky Davis]

Awesome Mike.

[Bobby D. Jones]

Great you found someone to help on this problem.

[Brendan Mitchell]

I remember couple years after getting my new Lashley Legrande in 1990; I had a pin break off changing strings; I called Emmons and told what happened and 4 days later; I got a brand New Changer in the Mail for Free. That right there was a company very interested in their customers. Here's me playing it in its first Video>
https://youtu.be/csfOxkzmve8?si=U-msrGzz6rpcXvKD
Ricky

Ricky Davis on an Emmons! Well I'll be

[Ricky Davis]

Ricky Davis on an Emmons! Well I'll be

Actually; my first pedal steel was a Red Marlen 3ped 3knee. Then I decided to make it my full-time employment and ordered a SD-10 Emmons Lashley Legrande at the start of the 90's and played/recorded with Gary P Nunn(and many Texas singer/songwriters) from 1990 to '96; then Joined Dale Watson's band and played that Emmons first year with him; then got my first Shobud Pro-II 1998...yeehaaaa.
I recorded Dale's first Truckin Sessions with my Emmons in 1997 and first tour in England we won "International Band of the year" at the British Country Music Awards and we got to play one song at the Ceremony and here is that same Emmons; but me and Gary Carpenter added the C6 neck to it and that's what I played on this song here>
https://youtu.be/xGVPmu5aU_c?si=Aw7mbECCoukc09pT
Yeeeeehaaaa......we killed it.
oh and we did the last TV Grand Ole Opry Show when Roy Clark introduced us and we did Two Songs Dale Wrote and my first year on my Shobud> '98
https://youtu.be/GBYcZJqU56Q?si=Gff_zSZAB88wEs--
Ricky