366 Convertible 'arm' required

murmur · Post by **murmur** » Sun Jun 19, 2005 10:13 am

Hi , I'm new here and I'm looking for a replacement arm for my recently aquired '67 366 Convertible.I realise they're very hard to find and I'm wondering whether, if someone out there has a pattern, I could get one made, they look pretty simple.Anyone have any ideas?

tony_carey · Post by **tony_carey** » Sun Jun 19, 2005 10:20 am

Sorry Joe, no ideas from me, but I would like to offer you a warm welcome to the forum.

A '67 366 has got to be worth a pic, missing arm or not!

mdbuck · Post by **mdbuck** » Sun Jun 19, 2005 12:28 pm

Hello Joe and welcome to the forum! I, like you, have the very same problem. I have a '67 366(April) and have been searching for a long time for a converter comb to no avail. It would be nice if John Hall had a custom order situation for just this kind of thing. Here is a Pic of mine.

At any rate, I find that the guitar works quite well with out the arm but, it would just be nice to have the complete package. Good luck in your search and let us know if you find one and were you got it and I'll do the same if I get lucky.

admin · Post by **admin** » Sun Jun 19, 2005 1:59 pm

A gorgeous guitar Michael.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Sun Jun 19, 2005 4:36 pm

A "custom order situation" is unrealistic in cases such as this, Michael.

I would think that the original dies for the comb still exist somewhere in RIC's possession, but to set them up and run just a few parts would end up costing you more than what your guitar is worth.

Solution:

1. Find somebody to lend you a comb. "Kookie, Kookie, Lend Me Your Comb", etc. Also the engagement bar and a knob, too, while you're at it.

2. Locate a machine shop who can plasma cut, water-jet cut (preferable) or just plain mill and bend you up a heapin' pile of combs. Make them out of stainless, so's they're strong and so you can polish them. The bar could be made from square stainless stock, polished, or mild steel, plated. The knob (if it's missing, too) could be made from a combination of a lathe-turned bar stock piece, brazed to a bit of threaded rod.

Lots of work. Maybe make ten and end up with six that you'll never sell...

It's gotta drive you nuts thinking that somewhere, in a garage or basement in a galaxy far, far away, there's a bushel of these labelled "French Cheese Slicers"...

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Sun Jun 19, 2005 4:58 pm

Double post, sorry...

murmur · Post by **murmur** » Sun Jun 19, 2005 10:52 pm

thanks guys, I think I'll make get a couple made when I get a minute.Michael,thats a beautiful guitar, I love the 'burst. I have the comb part on mine, so if you need any close up shots etc of that part ,let me know.Paul thanks for your response, I enjoy reading your posts, and Anthony, thanks,pics to follow shortly.

steve_lee · Post by **steve_lee** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 1:46 am

Hi there,

You are not going to believe this but I have a spare screw and arm. I know aside from the comb this is rarer then hen's teeth. The screw is still in the factory parts bag 1907?

The arm is fairly clean but needs to have the rivet drilled out. Offers? or I can throw on Ebay and let the market dictate. Also have a spare comb guide that it slides through.

Maybe Peter can help me upload a good quality jpeg of it.

admin · Post by **admin** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 2:45 am

From Steve Lee. Thanks Steve.

ken_j · Post by **ken_j** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 3:19 am

" Locate a machine shop who can plasma cut, water-jet cut (preferable) or just plain mill and bend you up a heapin' pile of combs. Make them out of stainless......"

Also a machine shop with an EDM (wire cutter) could knock these out. Stainless is good advice I use stainless on most hardware projects. It beats having to deal with plating. Most plating operations have been shut down due to the chemicals involved.

murmur · Post by **murmur** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 3:50 am

here she is.......

here's another ......

I think I love her you know...

mdbuck · Post by **mdbuck** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 4:34 am

Well, there ya go Joe. Looks like Mr. Lee has the rest of what you are looking for. This is the closest I've come to a response on this subject. I need the whole thing and will keep on searching...

Joe, Your 366 is just beautiful. I just love a guitar that has marble/figuring in the wood.

Say Paul, I never thought that a custom order situation was a practical solution, just withful thinking

. The machine shop idea is good. Thanks for your input on this.

Pete, thanks, the picture doesn't do it justice although it comes close. Sorry for the double pic thing. When I post a pic on here, I think I input to much info and it results in two pics. You can take one down and put it in yur pocket.

Thanks for your response Steve...

steve_lee · Post by **steve_lee** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 12:56 am

I am happy to say that Joe bought the arm to complete his Bonehead (Oasis) 366. John in Phoenix just bought the screw and the comb runner (he's still looking for the comb and arm) for one of his convertible restorations. Glad I could help out a bit.

murmur · Post by **murmur** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 1:59 am

This forum thing is amazing,thanks Steve and thanks everyone!