Yet another sixth string issue

Instruments, mechanical issues, copedents, techniques, etc.

Moderator: Shoshanah Marohn

Post Reply
Neal Vosberg
Posts: 76
Joined: 20 Oct 2017 10:35 am
Location: Tennessee, USA

Yet another sixth string issue

Post by Neal Vosberg »

Alright. Here's the facts as I know them.

GFI Expo. Had a plain sixth on it for a while in hopes of attempting to tune a sixth string lower, couldn't hack it so I went back to a wound string. I put a .12 in the third string spot, and I put a 22w in for my sixth. Both strings are on and seated in the fingers, but only the third string is responding to the b pedal. The sixth string finger doesn't move at all. I've backed out both nuts as far as they can go, and only tightened my sixth string nut. My B pedal comes back to tension, but that sixth finger doesn't move, as if it's totally disconnected. Its had a heavy wound sixth on it before with no problems. Where should I start?
Tucker Jackson
Posts: 1605
Joined: 8 Apr 2004 12:01 am
Location: Portland, Oregon, USA

Post by Tucker Jackson »

Neal, I would flip the guitar over in the case and work the B-pedal by hand. Watch the pull rods move. You might spot the problem -- possibly, during the string change when the linkage was not under tension, the 6th string's pull rod disconnected from its bellcrank. There's only a small chance this is the problem, but it fits the description and only takes 30 seconds to check...
User avatar
Lane Gray
Posts: 13551
Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: Topeka, KS

Post by Lane Gray »

Move the 6th string rod to the outermost slot/hole on its bellcrank. You may need to readjust the pedal travel stop.
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects
Post Reply