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Topic: Derby owners??? NEED HELP SOON!!! |
Steve Howard
From:
High Ridge, Missouri, USA
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Posted 7 Feb 2005 8:04 am |
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I have a Derby steel that the B pedal is flat. The end tuner is adjusted as far "in" as it can go and I can't turn it anymore. As far as I understand, I have to adjust the rod underneath the guitar to get more slack in the rod to be able to get it tuned all the way.
Problem is the screw that holds the rod in place that I need to loosen has a hex nut fitting that I can't get the correct size for. I called Charlie Stepp to find out what the hex nut size was and he couldn't understand what the heck I was talking about and then I couldn't understand what he was trying to tell me.
Does anyone know what the hex nut size is for this screw? Not the end tuner hex wrench size, but the actual size of the alan wrench I will need for adjusting the rod.
I tried 1/8in - too big. 7/64in - too small. 3mm which is right in between - too small. The only thing that it seems like it could be is a 15/128in. Which I know they probably don't even make.
I am recording a demo on Saturday and have to get this pedal tuned.
Thanks for any help. |
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Tim Bridges
From:
Hoover, Alabama, USA
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Posted 7 Feb 2005 9:16 am
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It sounds like you may have a bad allen screw. You probably recieved two allen wrenches with your Derby. I think that these may be the only two sizes on the steel. The smaller one is the one to loosen the rod. Have you tried a different allen screw of the same size? If you have a boogered up screw, you may need to tap it out and get a new one (or 12).
See if you can loosen a different rod and let me know. I don't know the size of the wrenches off the top of my head, but they are standard sizes. |
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Steve Howard
From:
High Ridge, Missouri, USA
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Posted 7 Feb 2005 9:44 am
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Well, I bought the steel used and didn't recieve any wrenches with it. It seemed like the 1/8in was very close just a tad too big. Maybe I just need to give it another shot and hope that it works.
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richard burton
From:
Britain
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Posted 7 Feb 2005 12:46 pm
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Steve,
Go back to first principles.
Was the steel like this when you bought it, or has it only recently gone out of whack?
Have you put a wound 6th string on, where before it may have had a plain string?
If the string gauges are correct, I suggest you wind the nylon tuners right out on the 3rd and 6th strings (at the endplate). Now tune your g#'s.
Then press the B pedal and tune the raises with the nylon tuners, and see if you still have the problem.
R B |
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richard burton
From:
Britain
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Posted 7 Feb 2005 12:52 pm
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One other thing just struck me:
Are the lower return springs tight enough?
If there is not enough tension, when you press the B pedal to raise the string, the lower section of the changer finger will also move, excacerbating the problem.
R B |
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Tim Bridges
From:
Hoover, Alabama, USA
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Posted 7 Feb 2005 1:32 pm
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Steve, if the end plate allen screw is in all the way then it probably is flat. First, adjust the nylon tuner about 50%. Now tune with the end plate allen screw. As you back it out, you should increase the travel of the rod, consequently sharpening the string. Once you get it just about right, tweak it with the nylon tuner. This should take care of it. But, you still need to get that allen screw taken care of, or you'll forget like me and end up dealing with it at a bad time.
The split tuners will work great once you get used to them. They will not do anything for your lowers, only your raises.  |
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Harold Williamson
From:
Kermit, West Virginia, USA (deceased)
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Posted 7 Feb 2005 1:58 pm
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| Had the same problem on a simmons. Ended up taking the allen wrench that was just a tad to big, and took a flat file and filed each flat on the allen wrench. File a little at a time and check often. After you get it out replace it with one that an allen wrench will fit. |
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Thomas Bancroft
From:
Matawan, New Jersey, USA
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Posted 7 Feb 2005 2:07 pm
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Hi Steve,
Tomorrow is Tuesday. Billy Cooper's is open then. 540-854-5940 Billy or Jerry Kling can probably help you as they are a Derby Dealer and probably work on them often. They probably have parts as well. Good Luck!
------------------
Mullen D-10, Melobar Rattler, Nashville 1000, Alesis Midiverb, Too Many Guitars! |
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Tim Bridges
From:
Hoover, Alabama, USA
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Posted 8 Feb 2005 5:25 am
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Steve,
Margrit Stepp called me last night and asked me to post for Charlie. He said to please call him back. He will help you any way he can. Charlie is a super person and will do what he says. Margrit said to check the ends of your allen wrenches and make sure they haven't chipped. But, call Charlie. He's the man! (502) 957-1059, or (502) 445-1327. |
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Tim Bridges
From:
Hoover, Alabama, USA
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Posted 9 Feb 2005 5:12 am
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Steve,
Did you get your problem solved? Let us know. Thanks! |
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