Note: These are handles only, not complete levers.
If we are not able to fill your order for older style lever cams, we will send you the newer style instead. The two styles are interchangeable.
Occasionally, the cam (black handle) on a Loveland lever can crack with use. If this happens to your Dusty Strings harp, you don't have to replace the whole lever; you can order just a replacement cam and switch it out for the broken one. In most cases, the process is simple and requires only a 1/4" wrench, although some levers in the upper range of the harp require an extra step and another tool because they are so close together. There is an instruction sheet here and tools are available here.
If you're not sure what size or style you need, see the How to Order tab.
On occasion, a new-style cam will not fit onto the post of an older lever. This is likely due to the threads being enlarged just a bit at the end of the post. If this happens to you, the easiest solution is to use an 1/8" drill bit to enlarge the hole in the cam ever so slightly. You can hold the drill bit with pliers or a vice and spin the cam onto it by hand. Using a powered drill is not recommended, as it's easy to lose control.
If you're comfortable attempting it, you could instead try using a small jeweler's file to file down the enlarged end of the metal post until you can successfully push the cam on with a bit of force. If you remove the lever completely from the harp, you'll have an easier time with this. This method avoids enlarging the hole in the cam, preserving the tightest fit possible between cam and post. However, it's a bit more fussy to do, and the end result may not be substantially different from the other method.
Note: If you have a non-Dusty Strings harp, we do not recommend ordering cams from us. We have historically used a different length of handle than most other harp makers, so it is unlikely that ours will match the rest of the levers on your harp.
While the choice of old style or new style is relatively unimportant, it is very important to order the correct size of lever cam. There are over a dozen different sizes, and pairing a particular string with the wrong size of lever will result in buzzing or poor tone quality with the lever engaged.
To determine the correct size, look for the number with a circle around it that is stamped on the side of the lever cam (see example photos below). If that is too small to see, you can find lever sizing information on the string charts that are accessible from our harp strings page.
The color choices correspond to the colors of the strings: C levers have red paint, F levers have blue paint, and the rest are clear (no color).
