Anyone try these tine stabilizers from VV yet?

[bumpyrhode]

http://www.vintagevibe.com/p-786-vintage-fender-rhodes-custom-tine-stablizers.aspx

[David Aubke]

Just noticed those on their site last night. That sure is a chunky spring.

[Cormac Long]

I might want to give it a go..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3P1fvjuzWwk

[andi85]

Maybe I should get a couple of those, too.

[David Aubke]

Just ordered one set. I've got one bass tine that wanders far and wide. I'll take before-and-after video in a few days.

[SlowMonroe]

Please do, this is a constant problem in the low register of most Rhodes I service

[David Aubke]

I was a little skeptical but I'd say these work as advertised.

The replacement spring is significantly stiffer than the stock bass springs.


The grommets (on the right) look identical to originals (on the left) but are also much stiffer.

Edit: Actually, the left side are standard VV replacement grommets, not original. They're indistinguishable but still...

In this video, the first two strikes are before installing the kit and the second two are after. Although the tine still wanders, it's clearly less pronounced than before and not enough to cause the kind of phaser effect of a really wide arc. Also, it no longer comes into contact with the neighboring pickup.

It was raining when I made that video so other than the tine hitting the pickup, the other percussive noises are just larger drops hitting the roof.

The thicker spring doesn't leave as much room for escapement adjustment. It's almost bottomed-out at 3/8".


I removed the zinc plating from mine so that it would more closely match the original springs.

[Cormac Long]

Seeing is believing!.. a significant improvement

[Tim Hodges]

Out of curiosity how do they fair again the double spring mod? (where the factory used to entwine two bass springs together)

This looks good, I need a few myself.

T

[David Aubke]

Out of curiosity how do they fair again the double spring mod? (where the factory used to entwine two bass springs together)

It occurred to me to try doubling the springs but I knew I'd be getting one of these kits so I put it off. However, in the interest of science, I'll make another comparison video that includes that option.

[Tim Hodges]

Thanks that would be great!

[Alan Lenhoff]

Out of curiosity how do they fair again the double spring mod? (where the factory used to entwine two bass springs together)

I've noticed that with the double springs, the pressure on a conventional grommet can be so great that the top of the grommet can "pancake."  (It gets flat and expands in diameter.) 

So, whether you use Vintage Vibe's extra-stiff springs -- or two springs -- I would think using a stiffer grommet like VV provides would be an essential element of doing it right.

Alan

[David Aubke]

I've noticed that with the double springs, the pressure on a conventional grommet can be so great that the top of the grommet can "pancake."  (It gets flat and expands in diameter.)

Which is exactly what happened when I tightened the screw on this one.


So here's the same tine using the doubled escapement screws and standard grommets. The wavering is reduced - maybe as much as with the Tine Stabilizer.

The thing is, when I reassembled with the Tine Stabilizer and struck the note, the tine was back to its errant ways. I thought "great, I reamed out the new grommets installing and reinstalling" but just gave the escapement screw one more half turn and everything came back into line. Point being, my tests are really just anecdotal. I didn't control for all conditions and as everyone knows, conditions can mean all the difference.

[SlowMonroe]

Not to mention double springs are annoying to put back together! This looks great