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Post new topic Carter Starter. Knee lever tuning issues
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Author Topic:  Carter Starter. Knee lever tuning issues
Jim Curtain


From:
Phoenix,Arizona, USA
Post  Posted 27 May 2012 7:22 am    
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Greetings all,

I'm having a problems tuning my knee levers. I tune the knee lever, which is LKR "D". It is sharp, then I go back and tune the 8&4 strings, which are flat. I seem to be going in circles and getting nowhere. The RKL/RKR are out of tune as well. I never received the set-up DVD, and I did find a online PDF instruction book, but I can't figure it out. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Have a safe weekend!

Sincerely, Jim B. Curtain

"There is no substitute for experience, and practice"
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Lane Gray


From:
Topeka, KS
Post  Posted 27 May 2012 7:44 am    
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I would bet you 5 dollars but it is what we called overtuned.
Strike the strings open, without moving the lever, turn the nuts on that lever, and the tuning should change.
Loosen the tuning nut til just after it stops changing pitch.
If the knee levers on a Starter have adjustable stops, you'll need to add a bit more travel because the lever is not moving far enough to do the job.

If the guitar doesn't have adjustable stops, all is not lost. Substitute a lighter gauge string, it will be slacker, and move quicker to changer movement.
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects
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Al Miller


From:
Waxahachie Texas
Post  Posted 27 May 2012 7:52 am    
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Jim , try backing both nylon tuners all the way out until they don't do anything when the lever is used .. Then tune the string or strings at the key head to the proper open pitch in this case E . Once you have them in tune open then start turning the nylon nut until it just bumps the changer finger then engage the knee lever or pedal you are tuning and bring it up to pitch . This should work if you have the correct string gauge on .. Do every knee lever this way or floor pedal if needed. .. Note : start with all the raises first the move on to the lowers .. I hope this helps ..
Boo Miller

Another note : after reading lane grays post . If you start adjusting stops and changing string gauges you are asking for trouble . I'm sure you just have the guitar out of adjustment on the endplate tuning nuts . Just start from 0 on all nylon tuners and tune open the tune the pedals and you shod be safe .
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AL (BOO) Miller
Mullen D10
76 Emmons P/P
2022 65 Emmons Resound P/P D10
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Jim Curtain


From:
Phoenix,Arizona, USA
Post  Posted 27 May 2012 12:20 pm    
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Lane, Al, Thank you both! I'm back in business!
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Lane Gray


From:
Topeka, KS
Post  Posted 27 May 2012 12:34 pm    
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Right you are, Boo. A Starter, or any professionally set up guitar, shouldn't need monkeying with, unless someone already monkeyed with it.
I guess I've spent too much time starting from scratch lately.
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects
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Marc Jenkins


From:
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Post  Posted 27 May 2012 1:00 pm    
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Another Carter Starter tip: if you lean really hard on a knee lever, you can flex it a bit, and will extend the pull too far. Took me a while to figure that one out!
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Jim Curtain


From:
Phoenix,Arizona, USA
Post  Posted 27 May 2012 1:44 pm    
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Lane,

I want to point out that I found a rodding chart on the internet, and the rod spaces were incorrect......."If it ain't broke......"
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