Fender 1000 Pedal Steel

[Nick Riviere]

I’m new to pedal steel and just picked up a Fender 1000. I’m a guitar repairman by trade but this is my first time working on one of these and I’m hoping to talk to someone who really knows them.

I’m missing a couple of the changers and also need help finding parts for the cable system. I’d also appreciate any advice on a good setup and tuning.

Any help or direction would mean a lot. Thanks!

[Donny Hinson]

Some pictures of what you have would help us make suggestions. The Fender cable steels were very popular for a couple of years back in the early '60s. But parts availability now is scarce, and most of what you need may have to be fabricated or jury-rigged. Luckily, they're very simple mechanical devices, and basic handyman skills will get you there. They're strictly "old-tech", though, like the Ford Model "A" in the automotiove world, so you can't expect them to do everything that a modern pedal steel will. But they can be a lot of fun, and there's a lot of music in there if you're willing to accept their limitations.

[Nick Riviere]

Here’s a couple pictures of the under side. I’m missing one of the changers, two of the springs and two cables. I’m not too worried about the missing cables because I’m sure I could make something work after a trip to the hardware store.

[Nick Riviere]

Here’s a closer look at one of the changers I’m needing.

[J.C. Dijeres]

Hi, you can try and ask around in the Fender Pedal Steel Group on Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/share/g/19NkQR ... tid=wwXIfr

Even though parts are very difficult to come by I have noticed some people do have spares for stuff.

Good luck!

[Lee Rider]

Gene Parsons might have some: stringbender.com

[Donny Hinson]

That's a very early (first iteration) model 1000! It has the short springs and round pulleys, and probably a 2 or 3 digit S/N., 000XX or 00XXX)

The steel cable can be had at any hardware store or a place like Lowe's or Home Depot. For the missing turnbuckles, you could probably substitute an M4 (metric) hook and eye turnbuckle. (You can buy similar 6-40 aircraft turnbuckles, but they would be a lot more expensive, like $30 or more, apeice.) For pulleys, well , they're very hard to find for small 1/16" - 3/32" cable, because they should be as light as possible. But you could make flat yokes similar to the old ZB guitars, and they'd work just about as well, and you could make them adjustable for timing the pulls. As far as the missing changer finger assemblies, they're the toughie! Possibly someone like Jim Palenscar might have a couple, or you could put up a post on FB or the Forum... and hope.

Of course, you could just use the 6 pedals you have and you'd have one good neck to play! Too bad that guitar was seriously butchered by some previous owner. The guitar is far too hacked up to ever worry about it's collector value, or doing a total restoration...it really wouldn't be worth the effort. But, you can at least make it play and function as it did long ago.

Good luck!

[Ron Hogan]

Get rid of it and get into quality modern times.

[Gary Spaeth]

you could make some dummy changers that just hold the string and put them in string locations that don't need any pulls, like your f#'s and d on e9. cut and grind them out of stock metal. good luck.

[Bob Carlucci]

Get rid of it and get into quality modern times.

Thats a crappy attitude.. He might not be able to afford ""modern quality""... Not only that, those guitars were quality. Crude by todays standards, but I have said it here a a dozen times.. My Fender cable guitars played as well as ANY of my "modern" steels, and better than many of them..They were different to set up than rodded guitars , and most guys screwed them up.. Once set up correctly, they played very well, and some of the best steel players that ever lived played them and made wonderful music with them...

[Nick Riviere]

Thank you for the suggestions everyone. I have lots of good leads to follow up on and appreciate all the help. Hopefully I can get this thing in a playable condition in the next few weeks. Will post updates soon!

As far as what Ron Hogan suggested, what a terrible take on a cool, vintage instrument that only needs a little work to be brought back to life.

[Lee Rider]

Get rid of it and get into quality modern times.

Thats a crappy attitude.. He might not be able to afford ""modern quality""... Not only that, those guitars were quality. Crude by todays standards, but I have said it here a a dozen times.. My Fender cable guitars played as well as ANY of my "modern" steels, and better than many of them..They were different to set up than rodded guitars , and most guys screwed them up.. Once set up correctly, they played very well, and some of the best steel players that ever lived played them and made wonderful music with them...

Gene Parsons still plays a Fender 800, D9th with 8 pedals and 4 knees, has 3 or 4 of those guitars I think. His tone is great and the guitars he has play easily. He has had some rodded guitars but always goes back to cables.

A little shrink tubing on those cable to changer loops works wonders.