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Melody string tuners

Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2014 10:14 am
by NutmegCT
Good morning all.

On my Schuster zither I can tune all the accompaniment strings easily with the tuning key.

But the five melody string tuners are *really* hard to turn. Difficult just to get my fingers on the ivory/bone "buttons" on the inner three tuner heads, and all five tuners are tight and difficult to raise or lower. I've even resorted to using pliers lined with leather just to grip the ivory. It may be just an issue with not having sufficient leverage, due to the closeness of the heads.

Is this a common problem? Is there a way to improve the situation?

Thanks.
Tom in Connecticut

Re: Melody string tuners

Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2014 8:29 pm
by Dave
Hi Tom,

It's possible that the tuning mechanism may just need a good cleaning and oiling. Forcing it will likely cause bigger problems. This tip and others for maintaining your zither can be found at the following link, just posted to the web site this weekend. Hope this helps.

https://www.zither.us/troubleshooting.zither.problems

Dave

Re: Melody string tuners

Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2014 9:06 am
by NutmegCT
Thanks Dave. Is there any help posted on exactly how to remove, clean, and lubricate those five melody string tuners?

I'm guessing there is some sort of gear mechanism under the nickel plate cover - but I don't want to damage something just randomly removing screws. And those five ivory (?) tuner heads go directly through the side of the cover; I don't know how to handle that aspect. Photo attached.

Thanks.
Tom in Connecticut

Re: Melody string tuners

Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2014 8:21 am
by kenbloom
HI Tom,

To remove the machines, you unscrew the screws that hold the plate to the body. Do not unscrew the screws that hold the machines to the plate. These two screws are the ones next to the C post and the inside A post. Once the screws holding the plate are removed, the machines should lift out but do it carefully. They may be a bit reluctant at first.
Once they are out, inspect the whole assembly carefully. Now you can remove the machines from the plate. If the worm and gear are really dirty, you can use a good cleaner to get the gunk out and then lubricate liberally. Once the excess oil is removed, just replace everything. You will most likely have to clean the inside of the plate as well as the cavity in the zither itself. Do the cavity cleaning carefully. Be sure everything works freely and easily and then replace the whole assembly. Screw things down firmly but don't over tighten. Now replace the strings and you should be ready to go. If you play your instrument everyday and tune frequently, you should have no further problem with the machines.

Ken Bloom

Re: Melody string tuners

Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2014 12:49 pm
by NutmegCT
Thanks Ken. That's exactly what I needed. What a difference after cleaning and oiling - and a little polishing of the plate. Also spurred me to clean and polish the frets (0000 steel wool) and fingerboard.

Tom in Connecticut

Re: Melody string tuners

Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2014 4:57 pm
by kenbloom
A clean fingerboard is a happy fingerboard! It's also a good idea to SPARINGLY apply a little mineral oil to the fingerboard to keep it from drying out and cracking. You only need to do this maybe once a year if that. A little goes a long way. I've seen too many old zithers with cracked fingerboards. An once of prevention and all that. Glad I was able to help.

Ken

Re: Melody string tuners

Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2014 5:59 pm
by Rudy Mueller
Similar to what's routinely done in our kitchen on cutting boards...but I never had enough sense to transfer that to other hardwood working surfaces. Here in the northern midwest, all hardwood objects are subject to humidity extremes....and cracking/splitting.

To shift the subject, how does one check for, and remove, "dust kitties" from inside the instrument? My Förg is approaching 80 y, and probably is home to at least a few of these un-invited guests; surely these affect acoustics.

Ken, thanks x 10^6

Re: Melody string tuners

Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2014 6:09 pm
by NutmegCT
One technique I use when rebuilding clavichords (which have an enclosed sound box) - I use aerosol compressed air, sold as "computer keyboard dust remover".

Image

I just aim the small plastic tube through the sound hole, press the button on the can, and voila! Dust flies out of the case (and all over me).

Tom in Connecticut

Re: Melody string tuners

Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2022 1:14 am
by EliorMagen
Hello! I'm facing a similar problem with my zither. What did you use to oil the mechanism?

- Rory Bolton

Re: Melody string tuners

Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2022 4:04 pm
by Graham
I lubricated the worm screws with Mitchell X3 super marine lubricant, as used on fishing reels. It is a gel, so it stays in place where it's needed!