There was an article in Not So Modern Drummer a couple of years ago detailing how to fix the Microsensitive strainer. You might want to search their website for back issues with the article. The year escapes me, but I do remember the article.

ok,

with a bit of trying i found the culprit:

the two metal plates, which keep a little metal ball in place to lock the strainer, were over time bent too much, so they did not have enough strenght to keep the ball in place.

i exchanged them with fresh ones (made from spring steel) and now it works again.

cheers!

Good to hear.

My 58/61 gretsch kit is not playable yet.....restoring. I did have to buy - on eBay - a Micro Sensitive strainer. So I would really like to know more about how you did that exactly and where you found the parts.......in case I have to do that.

Here's what mine looked like a couple of days ago - I cleaned it since. I asked some Gretsch people if I should take it apart to clean it and they told me NO don't do it.....just put a lot of oil in there and clean it up - should be fine. They said there are fine parts in there that may cause me a real headache to put back. I took the advise and poured a half cup of dw40 on it over night then applies some "brake-free" it looks fine. I won't have it on the drum for a while yet - waiting for parts.

Are these the little pieces of spring steel you're talking about and how do mine look?? Did you just undo the little screws there and replace the little plates there?

hi kona,

i will reply in detail soon (on tour right now).

it is not as hard...

you are right, the screws hold the little steel ball in place, which "locks" the strainer.

there are not so many parts. just take pictures and go for it :)

anyhow there is a flange on which the lever bearing rotates.

thos flange is part of the strainers body. if this thing is broken away you will also have a big problem. if you are lucky you can reattach the flange with some good epoxy glue.

cheers!