E9 split-tuning 4th string

Bengt Erlandsen · From: Brekstad, NORWAY

Some of you probably already have this but my guitar just got more versatile by two easy adjustments.
I have the 4th string pull E-F# on my LKV and yesterday I adjusted the E-Eb so I could split tune the note to F. Now I can get that whole tone pull in what would be the A+F position and keep E's-F on LKL and E's-Eb on LKR. The split works fine w the Cpedal also.
I needed to adjust the 8string lower also and stop the lower w the split-tune-screw to make the E's lower in sync but it was well worth it.
If you havent already tried the 4th string split, try it, you might like it

even if you only want to use it with the Cpedal.

Bengt Erlandsen

[This message was edited by Bengt Erlandsen on 11 August 2004 at 02:20 AM.]

Jerry Hayes · From: Virginia Beach, Va.

Hey Bengt, that's a very useful change especially if you don't have many knee levers. Years ago I had a Blanton S-10 which came with 4 floor pedals and no knee levers. Blackie Taylor converted it to an eleven string (Low E string) and added two knee levers (RKL & RKR) One lever just lowered the 2nd string to D and the other one lowered 4 & 8 to Eb (D#). I had a friend who had just started using the F knee lever and was showing me how to use it one night and I said "I'd like to have that change". He told me I could get it on my guitar with my knee lever. He showed my how to use my E to Eb lever together with the C pedal. I remember that it came up almost perfectly in tune and I did it that way for a long time until I got a guitar with the F lever. Have a good 'un, JH

------------------
Livin' in the Past and the Future with a 12 string Mooney Universal tuning.

C Dixon · From: Duluth, GA USA

Bengt,

You make a very interesting thread. The following then may be very applicable to it.

When Ron Lashley Sr brought his first LeGrandes to the ISGC, one of the things he and others were so excited about was the "split" feature. And indeed I find it to be one of the best improvements to the PSG since its inception. (14 hole bellcrank is THE best IMO).

Well, at that time, the lowering of the 6th string from G# to F# splitting it with the B pedal had not become in real vogue yet. So the only split that seemed viable was the one you are talking about.

Thanks for the memories Bengt.

carl

Bengt Erlandsen · From: Brekstad, NORWAY

If it is possible to split tune, why not. Can't understand why I havent done that on my guitar earlier.

A big thanks to the one that came up with the idea of adding split tuning screws to the PSG.

There is actually more fun one can do with the split tuning screw. I would call it a hidden split.
Lets say I want to play with only the 8string E-Eb as L.Green does. Instead of backing off the nylon tuner on the 4th string one can tighten the split screw so the 4th string wont lower but still keep the whole tone raise on Cpedal split w 4string E-Eb.

Or if one has a knee lever that raise 1&7 F#-G#. How about installing two extra rods on the Apedal to lower 1&7 to F (!!!!!but tighten the split screw so the F#note stays to F#!!!) when A pedal is pressed. Engage lever that raise 1&7 and you have a G note instead of the G#. It might make the A pedal stiffer but the return response on the pedal will be quicker.
Or want to use the B-Bb on both strings 10 & 5 split with A pedal for a nice minor in A+B position and also only lower the 5th string and not the 10 string when in B6 mode. The split screw on the 10 string comes to rescue.

Bengt Erlandsen

C Dixon · From: Duluth, GA USA

Bengt,

There is another use for the split screw that is quite unique and really has NOTHING to do with splitting per se. When I first heard about it I said, "wow".

So what is it? Well, it is a way of achieving a "half-stop" without installling any half stop parts under the guitar! You say, "Show me!"

Ok, Think of this. Install no half-stop parts underneath the guitar. Now, USE the nylon tuner on the 9th string lower; and adjust it so you "fee" when the 2nd string reaches a D note.

Now when you do this, the 9th string C# will always end up TOO flat. Simply adjust the 9th split allen screw to raise it back up to pitch. Except for one minor problem that is all there is to it. I showed this to Jean Shephards's steel player (not sure he still is) on the GOO several years ago.

He wrote me an email and told me how much he liked it; and he had then showed it to some other Emmons' players and they had done it.

So what is that minor problem?
Glad ya aksed Bengt

Ok, the feel may not be strong enough or it might be too strong. If so, simply tighten or loosen the 9th string return spring to taste.

Try it! Works like a charm,

carl

Al Marcus · From: Cedar Springs,MI USA (deceased)

Carl-That's nice IF you have a guitar with the Split Screws and Adjustable lowering return springs.
How about getting Mullen, Carter , GFI to put them on their guitars. Standard....al

------------------
My Website..... www.cmedic.net/~almarcus/

C Dixon · From: Duluth, GA USA

Yeah right

Bobby Boggs · From: Upstate SC.

I wish there was a way to split tune the B's to A.5th and 10th string with the A pedal so you could get the Bb's.Maybe some day............bb

Jim Smith · From: Midlothian, TX, USA

Carl, I thought using the split tuner on the 9th string was one of the main uses of them, but maybe I was mistaken.

Bobby, you might be able to tune the 5&10 split with the old split method of using extra raise rods on the lower pullers, but I haven't tried it. When a guitar has both the B-A and the B-A#, I have used the extra raise rods to tune the splits on the B-A# lever.

C Dixon · From: Duluth, GA USA

hmmmm Jim,

I don't think so. At least that is not my understanding of their major use. In fact using the "split" screw as above on the 9th string above is not splitting anything. It is just a sneaky but clever way to achieve a half-stop without installing any hardware.

Splitting is when you, say lower a string a whole tone and raise it a half a tone together to get a half tone lower. And vice versa using a whole tone raise splitting with a half tone lower to get a half tone raise.

Check out the following copedent and note the splits, both examples are represented:



                      LKL   (LOK)    RKR


    A  B  5  7  8  LKL   LKV LKR  RKL   RKR


                                        (6)


F#       -F*                      +G# 


D#             +E*    -D     (C#) +E -C#


G#    +A


E                  +F        -Eb        +F*


B  +C#      +C#          -Bb*


G#    +A    +A#                   -F#*


F#       -F


E                  +F        -Eb        -D


B  +C#         +C     +D             +C#


G#    +A              +B          -F#*


E        +F    -D# +F


B        +C#   -G# +C#               -A








* splits

Note: there are three more splits on two additional pedals but I could not show those pedals, since it would mess up the chart formatting. (it exceeded the allowable width on my PC)

Also, the split on the E note on pedal 8 might seem odd. This split is only used when the "LOK" lever is engaged. When this lever is locked, it not only holds the E's to Eb, but it also lowers the 2nd string to a C#. This is to emulate Buddy Emmons' D note on his C6, 1st string.

When in this mode, pedal 8 raises this string back up to a D. Also emulating what Buddy does on his 8th pedal on string 1.

In addition, RKR raises the 4th string back up to an E when the E's are locked to Eb; as well as when they are not locked and I engage the LKR.

In both cases above, I use the splitting feature to achieve the desired results. Along with all the other splits that you see. I would not play a universal without this splitting capability. And I use them as often as most players use pedals and knee levers.

carl

[This message was edited by C Dixon on 12 August 2004 at 08:25 AM.]

Forum Index > Pedal Steel		Next oldest topic :: Next newest topic

All times are GMT - 8 Hours	Jump to: