Okay. I'm working on couple of Gretsch FA pedals. One footboard has a hinge with a smaller diameter, the other has a larger pin. Does anyone know the year (or decade) when that change was made?
I've checked the catalogues and can't quite see. On ebay I see both sizes.
I'm also bidding on an early DW with the same basic design, and that has the larger size.
Oh boy. A nice obscure detail question? It's what we do best!
Thanks!
I found this with a quick search:
IF the descriptions are accurate, it looks like the larger hinge is from the 60's, and the smaller from the 50's.
Any other input --?
Doh! Never ind. it was a simple google search with images.
Cripe
I'm not sure but I have used brand new DW hinges on more than one old FA pedal and they fit right on, matching the same mounting hole pattern.
Thanks K. O. The smaller hinges are impossible to find unless a 'for parts' FA comes around.
The smaller hinges and large mount exactly the same, too, as you said.
I found some ball-bearing hinges that fit, but it's necessary to fabricate a piece to hold the mounting rod in place.
If anyone knows a source for the small pin hinges....
Thanks again for th info on the DW,
Thanks K. O. The smaller hinges are impossible to find unless a 'for parts' FA comes around.The smaller hinges and large mount exactly the same, too, as you said.I found some ball-bearing hinges that fit, but it's necessary to fabricate a piece to hold the mounting rod in place.If anyone knows a source for the small pin hinges....Thanks again for th info on the DW,
The "small pin hinge" was nothing more than a furniture cabinet hinge/door hinge. Try your local home center or hardware store if you really want the small pin hinge. Personally, I'd just do the DW hinge upgrade as its a better hinge and fits exact (the standard hinge, NOT the ball bearing one).
There were also FA pedals with a leather hinge.. anyone have one of those?
Leather strap? Yes, and no. I recently disassembled a FA with half a leather hinge, on the heel plate. Now I know what it was! I thought it was rubber/plastic. (Huh. I wonder....)
I thought it was someone getting creative with their pedal problem.
The furniture hinge is a good call. I found out it is called a 'non-removable' pin hinge. I couldn't find one that fit the hole pattern when the hinge is open, like it is on the pedal. There is a small offset that normal hinges don't match.
It would be easy to make new holes for the screws, but it wouldn't look right. I know: obsessively picky. I didn't try new holes in the hinge plate; the new/old holes looked too close together and it didn't seem like a good idea at the time.
I found some heavy duty ball bearing hinges that fit. I might try them on a DW 5000, just for the heck of it.
