Knife edge problem...

[Fabe]

Hey!


While my guitar's drying up, I was looking at the trem for the first time and I saw that one of the knives is totally done for. It has more like a u-shape than a flat sharp (more blunt) edge .
Is it possible to turn this thing around and use the backside of it, with filing that down of course?

Now I know why my Jem always tried to be out of tune . How much are new knives, btw?

Fabe

[Rich]

The curved knife keeps the trem centered on the posts.....

[jemsite]

go to the jemsite trem area ASAP ...glen

[Fabe]

I've been to the trem section before and and also read Rich's instructions on how to file them. I know what they're there for...

I'll try to get a picture...

Fabe

[Fabe]

Okay, now I'm f'd. The thing is, I turned around the u-shaped knife and put it back in in order to check, whether this would work once I file it down. But now, I can't even move it anymore! This thing is absolutely stuck. I wanted to take it out to scan it for you guys to see what I mean, now it seems it'll be in there forever. DOn't know what to do, really....

Any suggestions?

I'm really getting tired of all these JEM-related problems. I mean I love this guitar, but it's turning into "the money pit" for me...

Please Help!!

Fabe

[Rich]

I take it this is an old Jem, the knives have had detents for awhile now that make them tough to come out. I've got a tech article started on how to pull knives just haven't had time to finish it. Get a pair of cutting pliers, the only thing I found that would get enough bite on the knife to work it out.

[Fabe]

Yeah, it's an old Jem. The thing is, I tried it with the pliers on my Leatherman and it still didn't move a bit.

I'll have to get some good pliers then.

But, what's striking me as strange: On your site where you show how to file the edges, the left and right pivot points look the same knive-wise. But I just found a site where the right pivot-point looks exactly like mine did, although it's new. I don't get this. Here's a pic
I borrowed from GhesQi J's site. Why does this look different then the one you showed?

Fabe

[Neven]

dude, it's not worn out, it's supposed to look like that

just check what

Originally Posted by Rich

The curved knife keeps the trem centered on the posts.....

[Fabe]

Yeah I know that now. Thanks anyway

Now I'm trying to get this frigging thing back out again...

Cool, someone actually used the emoticon

Fabe

[Rich]

I don't even think there's a pic of the curved side in that article

*Cutting* pliers [since you like that so much ] They're not like pliers but have a cutting edge like a pair of wire cutters, just very heavy duty wire cutters.

[GhesQi J]

That right knife edge seen on my site is indeed not worn. It's a spankin' new Lo Pro, never used.
the right knife edge is supposed to look like that.

http://users.pandora.be/marnix.ghesq...loproedge.html

Cheers,
Joten

[Fabe]

Okay guys, I can say: woooooooohooooooooo!!!!
A buddy of mine did it. I went to him to ask whether he had some cutting pliers and he tried it himself and: tadaaaaa. Thing's back out again...

Thanks for all your input guys. I really appreciate it!
Btw, how much are new knives anyway?

Fabe

[Rich]

Australia is the only distributor I know of that would even sell knives, no idea how much.

[Fabe]

You never had to buy new ones?

So you think I should just file them then?

Fabe

P.S.: How much are the posts? I think that's the real problem. I read in another post now where someone described the exact same problem I had, with using the whammy and going out of tune. You said it's the posts. How much are they then?

[horstausmforst]

So you nearly butchered your trem because of .. (what's the opposite of knowledge?? My english sucks, I know) ??

I'd say the trem will now never hold the tuning properly, cause you've removed the knife several times, so it's a bit looser than before.

Oh, and check your PM