Stuck Fine Tuner
Moderator: Shoshanah Marohn
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- Location: Indiana, USA
Stuck Fine Tuner
Hi all. I got my first pedal steel a couple weeks ago and have been enjoying it. I'm so good at it now that I can sometimes tell when things are out of tune. However, one of my fine tuners won't budge. I can feel the plastic twisting, but it's not moving the rod. I don't want to torque it any more for fear of breaking it. Are there any tricks to getting a stuck fine-tuner unstuck?
Steels: Hudson 8-string pedal steel, Gibson D8 console
- Randy Schneider
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- Location: SW New Mexico, USA
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- Posts: 7
- Joined: 6 Dec 2016 11:51 am
- Location: Indiana, USA
Yeah, I'm talking about the nylon nut. I don't think it is cracked because I have to put a lot of torque on it to get it to "move," but it is just the nylon twisting a little (it twists back to the original position when I release pressure), not the threads on the rod. I'm afraid if I keep going, it will crack.
Steels: Hudson 8-string pedal steel, Gibson D8 console
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- Location: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
It's stuck and you're just twisting the pull-rod, because the nylon nut itself wouldn't "return" to position. Using a Q-tip, lubricate the rod where it goes into the nylon nut with some rubbing alcohol and try again - it should break loose. (It may help to hold the rod under the guitar with a pair of pliers while your trying to loosen the nylon nut.)
- Erv Niehaus
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- Location: Litchfield, MN, USA
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- Posts: 7
- Joined: 6 Dec 2016 11:51 am
- Location: Indiana, USA
I took some clues from the advice given here and was able to get it loose. I pushed the knee lever the opposite way (not sure if that had anything to do with it) and gave it a good twist.
Thanks for all the help! It's great that this forum exists.
Thanks for all the help! It's great that this forum exists.
Steels: Hudson 8-string pedal steel, Gibson D8 console
- Rich Upright
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Andy, There is 3 different inside hole sizes for these nylon tuners, for 3/32", 7/64" and 1/8" pull rods. Be sure the size is proper they actually thread themselves as they are screwed on the rod. If you are 2nd owner of this axe that may be part of the problem, a smaller hole tuner on a larger pull rod can make them tight to tune. Be sure to get a few spares and carry them in your seat or tool box. So if one strips or splits. You can do a quick replacement. Welcome to the Forum, Good Luck and Happy Steelin.
- Erv Niehaus
- Posts: 26797
- Joined: 10 Aug 2001 12:01 am
- Location: Litchfield, MN, USA