SOS SOS Switching from Emmons to Day

Bill Watson · Post by **Bill Watson** » 10 Jul 2015 9:36 am

Guys,
I just received my new Mullen SD 10 Royal Precision and I need to swap the the guitar over from and Emmons to a Day setup. Looking underneath the guitar there appears to be several ways to approach this.

As always I value your input, so what is the best (easiest) way to approach this and not blow the guitar up? Thank you in advance for your help and assistance.

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 10 Jul 2015 10:37 am

Write down the way your guitar is rodded. Use a code you can understand and remember, like the following:
Pedal A: 5/B/2 10/C/2
Where you have string/bellcrank positionÂ¹/changer positionÂ²

Write it all down, even the ones you don't expect to change (they might be in the way, and have to move briefly).
Take lots of pictures.

Â¹ it's customary to start with A at the closest hole or slot to the shaft
Â² it's customary to start with 1 as the top hole in the raise finger.

Bill Watson · Post by **Bill Watson** » 10 Jul 2015 10:49 am

Thanks for the input. Is it easier to remove the entire cross rod and swap them or swap the little gizmos attached to the cross shaft? I apologize for my non technical jargon.

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 10 Jul 2015 10:54 am

Gizmos are the bellcranks. Slide them along the shaft to the new position.
To make sure your pulls are straight, you could use a pen and straightedge to mark the places you'll want them.

Bill Watson · Post by **Bill Watson** » 10 Jul 2015 11:00 am

Thanks a million Lane. I think I can take it from here.

richard burton · Post by **richard burton** » 10 Jul 2015 12:17 pm

As it's a new Mullen, why didn't you order it with the Day setup?

Mike Vallandigham · Post by **Mike Vallandigham** » 10 Jul 2015 12:34 pm

If it's a brand new Mullen, do this very carefully.

They're set up SOOO well from the factory, you don't want to make it feel anything less than perfect.

That said, it's really easy. You may want to take some time (like a few beers worth) and just look at it, try to visually underatand it. Then take a nap, then look at it some more. It's smiple, but you want to have it in your head before tearing it appart.

Then document it as mentioned above before messing with it.

Niels Andrews · Post by **Niels Andrews** » 10 Jul 2015 2:38 pm

Just contact Mickey Adams his daughter lives in Florida he might be driving past your driveway! Nice guitar to screw up if you don't know what you are doing, and obviously you don't.

Bill Watson · Post by **Bill Watson** » 10 Jul 2015 3:07 pm

Guys as always thanks for the advice especially the correct alcohol consumption required to excel at this task. It can't be harder than rebuilding a 327...........can it?

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 10 Jul 2015 3:25 pm

Bill Watson wrote:Guys as always thanks for the advice especially the correct alcohol consumption required to excel at this task. It can't be harder than rebuilding a 327...........can it?

But, it has to be high octane beer. None of this Bumhowser and Cars Light.

Actually, on the all pull guitars, switching is really easy. Everything you need to know has already been said. If I can do it, it can't be that hard, and I have done it several times on used guitars I have purchased, and other paople's guitars.

Mark van Allen · Post by **Mark van Allen** » 10 Jul 2015 7:41 pm

Good adviceâ€¦ one thing I'll add that many forget is when you switch setups you'll most likely want to swap left knee levers as well, from Emmons E-F on LKL to Day on LKR to work with the A pedal. The thing many forget, besides swapping bell crank and changer positions is to also take careful note of the amount of pedal and lever travel and swap that as well. (E-F takes very little travel, E-Eb more so, etc.) Good luck!

Bill Watson · Post by **Bill Watson** » 11 Jul 2015 12:53 am

Guys thanks again. Your input is invaluable. I will let you all know how the results of our endeavor. shortly Thanks to all of you for your help and assistance as I will be one deft alchaholic garage steel mechanic at the completion of this project. From lever travel to alcohol content by volume you leave no stone unturned.

On my way to get a case of Schlitz and a pint of Rebel Yell. Catch up with all you later.

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 11 Jul 2015 3:05 am

Bill Watson wrote:... leave no stone unturned.

I believe that's leave no turn unstoned.

But.. what Lane said is true; selling my Day-set-up SD-10 I put it back to Emmons. I had charted Jim Palenscar's setup carefully,
and still didn't get backthe feel it had. It wasn't bad, but....
Much due diligence is required. Pictures, measurements, anything you see.

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 11 Jul 2015 3:10 am

The small adjustments in lever travel have a lot to do with it.

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 11 Jul 2015 3:18 am

That's exactly right, and it's all the way through the pedal/lever, stop, crosshaft, crank and endplate train.
I hope to write a small pamphlet on that, just as there are as many steps in grand piano regulation, and it has a documented order.

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 11 Jul 2015 3:30 am

Bill, was this dead new, or just new-to-you?
If it's factory-fresh, I can't get my head around not ordering it the way you want.
I WILL say that there is a huge feeling of satisfaction to doing it yourself but it may take a few weeks of fine tuning to get it as smooth as it was before.

Bill Watson · Post by **Bill Watson** » 11 Jul 2015 4:54 am

Lane.....It's new to me not factory new. I am not the brightest bulb on the tree but I would have ordered a Day from the factory.

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 11 Jul 2015 5:19 am

Smart choice. The feel of the levers may take some fiddling. But this ain't a hard job.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 11 Jul 2015 5:53 am

Bill Watson wrote:Guys as always thanks for the advice especially the correct alcohol consumption required to excel at this task. It can't be harder than rebuilding a 327...........can it?

Tuning a SB Chevy is a lot easier than tuning a pedal steel!

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 11 Jul 2015 5:56 am

Does it take less alcohol?

Ron Pruter · Post by **Ron Pruter** » 11 Jul 2015 12:58 pm

Bill,
I looked up your phone number. I couldn't find it at first, then I finally found it under "Bar Fixtures".

Mickey Adams · Post by **Mickey Adams** » 11 Jul 2015 2:24 pm

Bill Watson wrote:Guys,
I just received my new Mullen SD 10 Royal Precision and I need to swap the the guitar over from and Emmons to a Day setup. Looking underneath the guitar there appears to be several ways to approach this.

As always I value your input, so what is the best (easiest) way to approach this and not blow the guitar up? Thank you in advance for your help and assistance.

I have a rodding chart, and can talk u through this, and how to set your travel stops...I PMd you my private number...

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 11 Jul 2015 3:22 pm

There ya go Bill.
'Get a little conversation, drink a little red wine, listen to the music of Clifton Chenier....'

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 11 Jul 2015 5:18 pm

it's nice to have so many helpful people.

Rich Upright · Post by **Rich Upright** » 12 Jul 2015 1:39 am

Actually, why not just learn to play Emmons style? It is much more standard than day, and won't limit your possible future PSG choices, OR, your resale possibilities.

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