Problem With 5th String Tun Ing

Dean Silbaugh · Post by **Dean Silbaugh** » 21 Dec 2017 5:38 am

I tune the 5th string to B Press the a pedal and tune it to C# with the end pegs. the 5th string is now at C
Same with the C pedal. I then tune the 5th back to B and it is still screwed up.
Help
thank you

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 21 Dec 2017 6:29 am

You'll get more help if you post this in the correct section. That would be the "pedal steel" section.

Tim Russell · Post by **Tim Russell** » 21 Dec 2017 7:05 pm

What guitar is this? All pull/PP, etc.?

Ian Worley · Post by **Ian Worley** » 22 Dec 2017 11:36 am

Assuming this is some sort of all pull guitar, the problem you describe is called "overtuning". There are all sorts of possible causes and solutions depending on a lot of different variables.

It could be that it just needs more pedal travel between the open and raised notes, but it's more likely the result of a weak lower return spring or something binding in the changer (assuming it worked correctly before).

You'll need to share a bit more info about the make/model of guitar, how the issue developed, etc. to get any meaningful advice here. Pictures always help.

Jon Light · Post by **Jon Light** » 22 Dec 2017 11:49 am

I spent time and effort the last time this person posted with the same problem -- he can read it on his other post -- and pretty much got blown off. Waste of time.

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 23 Dec 2017 7:56 am

Dean, back the nylon nuts off until they hardly have any effect at all, then retune.
95 percent of the time a guitar is "overtuned", there's nothing actually wrong. But once open strings have stopped resting on the stop bar, the whole thing is off kilter.

Bobby D. Jones · Post by **Bobby D. Jones** » 23 Dec 2017 9:21 pm

If it a an all pull guitar, Check the changer, make sure the 5th string finger is free moving. Check its lubricated too.
Has the guitar tuned proper before? Have the strings just been changed?

Check the bell crank. When the pedal is released is the rod from changer on string 5 to bell crank loose. It should have a little free play.

Do you have any holes in the bell crank farther from the cross rod you could lengthen the pull length with? Then adjust any stop necessary to allow further travel on the string. B to C# is a long pull. Good Luck on a cure.

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 23 Dec 2017 10:37 pm

Dean,
If you do not understand how to correct overtuning by reading these replies you should find a steel player to help you out in person or on skype. After you get an understanding of the terms used by players you will see how this issue you have is very simple and common. Every steel player I know has bumped into this issue and found it confusing the first time.

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 23 Dec 2017 10:46 pm

Bob Hoffnar wrote: Every steel player I know has bumped into this issue and found it confusing the first time.

Hell, it still confounds experienced players who forget it can still happen to them.
Not that I've done that lately. Oh, no, not me....

Tim Russell · Post by **Tim Russell** » 24 Dec 2017 3:10 am

Every steel player I know has bumped into this issue and found it confusing the first time.

Yes, this issue, and also having the stop adjusted so the travel is too short, and you can't get the string to tune properly, lol. That one threw me for awhile, lol.

"why isn't this thing returning to pitch?!?!? ARRRG!!!"

Jon Light · Post by **Jon Light** » 24 Dec 2017 3:52 am

https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=324790

David Weisenthal · Post by **David Weisenthal** » 24 Dec 2017 9:27 am

Thanks guys for this post, I just checked my 4th string and its nylon slug was way overtuned....Backed all the nylon tuners off that string and re-tuned. Good as new.

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