The Steel Guitar Forum

Here is another string tension calculator that I have found very useful.

http://www.pacificsites.net/~dog/String ... pplet.html

The problem has nothing to do with your batteries. It is caused by the protection diode in the StroboFlip and the output level of your pickups. For pickups of sufficient output level the protection diode clips the signal causing the distortion you hear. There are a few methods of solution: 1) Return...

I've had some luck with a simple modification to my changer tubes that some here might find useful. The mod appears to have increased both tuning stability and change smoothness (on my mica MSA S-10 Classic). I chucked the tubes in a lathe and turned them while putting a radius on the outer edge tha...

I agree with the needle-nose method of J.O. and L.S.. To amplify what was said: New finger-picks are shaped as if the tips of your fingers are cylinders, but at the place where you put a finger-pick they are closer to cones. Use the pliers to twist the sides into a (slightly) more conical profile an...

Check those little brass pull-pins in your bell cranks. If they are out of round, that can cause your pedals to feel stiff. They are merely brass so they will get misshapen from years of use, particularly under a heavy foot in the absence of lubrication. Even worse, the stiffer they get the harder y...

I use the Jagwire Lloyd Green set on my mica MSA S-10 Classic with no problems and very little breakage. They are stainless with gauges (p-plain, w-wound): F#.013p Eb.015p Ab.0115p E.014p B.017p Ab.022w F#.026w E.030w D.034w B.038w I tweaked my way through a number of different sets before arriving ...

What size is the fiddle? 4/4? If you are not sure it should say on the label inside. It is hard to tell from the picture. Thanks.

Typical direct box input impedances are > 20k Ohms and usually >> 20k. Assuming the direct box is healthy that will put only a miniscule load on your amp, almost as if nothing at all was plugged into the ext speaker out jack. Just make sure you have a good fuse in your amp in case something goes wro...

I do not have experience with this product

http://qwikstix.com/UtilitySideSpecsSteel.htm

but I do have experience with a QwikStix bar holder and have found it to be very useful and of high quality. From your description of your needs the QwikStix utility tray might be just right.

Spencer- Advice from a newby with and MSA Classic S-10 and no pedal steel repair shop nearby: If you are mechanically inclined at all you should consider doing it yourself. It is comforting if not liberating to know the guts of your guitar and how to set it up and reconfigure it. If it is your only ...

David- I use Jags. It's possible that I am simply asking too much from my MSA or any mark PSG. I have no access to any other PSG with which to compare mine and little experience. For all I know from experience it may have as much sustain as any PSG out there. Still I could use some more so I'm tryin...

I came across this thread in my search for ways to improve the sustain of my mica MSA Classic S-10. Though a newby I don't think the sustain problem is as hopelessly complex as some have indicated. The sustain game is to keep the mechanical energy in the string between the bridge and the nut. Assumi...

Get a Behringer CT100. It appears to be almost identical to the Swizz Army tester, but costs only one third as much ($30 as opposed to $90). I have one, use it all the time, and have never had a problem with it.

If you have a high output pickup on your guitar, like a ToneAligner or a Wallace True Tone, the input protection diode of the StroboFlip will cause substantial clipping distortion on your output circuit when the tuner is turned off. Turn the tuner on and the distortion will disappear. I sent my (und...

Get open-back headphones - They are much more comfortable than closed-back for long hours of practice. They are not so suitable for recording studio cue purposes since they leak sound more than closed-back. As to which model, for the purpose you describe you would be throwing money away to buy "...

Jamie- With regard to the possibility of a roller nut problem, lubrication is not enough. You need to remove each pedaled or levered string from its roller nut, and roll the nut back and forth with your finger to make sure it is moving freely. The roller may be rubbing against something. If you can ...

I have found these very useful: http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=1200&title=NEEDLE+OILER+BOTTLES They ship empty. The bottles are made of HDPE - tough stuff. The metal top holds a black rubber gasket and screws on tight. I store 3-in-1 in one and Triflow in another and...

I had a Gibson Electroharp around 1972. It was ancient when I bought it, and very well traveled as evidenced by the multitude of travel stickers on the case. I wish I had found out more about it when I bought it, but the woman who sold it to me wore the kind of expression that doesn't encourage ques...

I purchased a Tab Rack from Tom Bradshaw about 6 weeks ago. I use it all the time and have been very happy with it. It attaches and detaches quickly and easily - a handy feature when you need to adjust your guitar. Here's a link to the relevant page on Tom's site: http://www.songwriter.com/bradshaw/...