Post
by Guitaronimo » Fri Jan 08, 2021 6:37 am
Hey, This is Chris Swope. Forgive me for neglecting this site. I logged on today for the first time in ages to take a quick look at something completely unrelated to the Descendant and saw this thread. Like many of us, I'm stretched very thin for time. I'm a one man operation trying to build guitars and vibratos in a small shop in my basement while, during the pandemic, my wife and two kids are upstairs zooming all day long with jobs and remote learning. As a result, I'm woefullly behind on putting detailed info on my website. What I most need to do is create a frequently asked questions page. I know that would help everyone, myself most of all.
On the subject of loctite, yes, thread lock and specifically the blue thread lock. Don't ever use the permanant stuff (red or green or whatever else is out there) unless you are prepared to heat things up to approximatley 450 degrees fahrenheit when you need to unscrew something. The blue is plenty sufficiant for this application.
What you need to know about me is that I'm often overly cautious. Once you have everything set up to your liking I would advise that a drop of thread lock on each of the four screws that clamp down the fulcrum plate is the best way to insure that the fulcrum plate stays fixed without needing any further tightening down the road, regardless of the frequency and intensity of use. I believe this is the best practice but it is also something, from a manufacturing standpoint, that needs to be said for warranty concerns. People have asked me directly, "do I really have to add the loctite?" and the honest answer is, "No." As long as you keep the adjustment wrench in your case so that if you find there is a little play in the unit you can tighten it up on the spot.
The same over-caution is the reason behind the recent white lithium grease suggestion that James' Home of Tone so kindly took and then made a video about, which someone posted just a few comments prior to mine. I've just recently starting applying a tiny bit inside the arm housing of each unit during assembly and I love the way it makes the arm movement feel. I know maintenance doesnt' come naturally to many when it comes to guitars but we do change strings. Many of us seasonally adjust our truss rods. The sort of maintenace I'm suggesting is minor and is meant to insure that your vibrato functions with optimal performance for years and years and years.
And more years.
Thanks