Help tuning Marlen pull release

Gary Hoetker · Post by **Gary Hoetker** » 24 Nov 2019 11:15 am

Per instructions on Forum, trying to tune 4th string (E) to -D# at the end plate with LKL engaged. When I use the nut driver, it turns clk and ctrclk wise but doesn't change the tuning. Suggestions? Thank you.

David Ball · Post by **David Ball** » 24 Nov 2019 11:51 am

Sounds like something is adjusted too tight on that string. I would back off all three pulls, then set the E raise lever to pull the finger to where it just makes contact with the body and tune highest pitch at the peghead. Next, I would tune the lower at the end plate as you're trying now--with the under the cabinet adjustment for the middle pitch (E) loose, you should be able to tune the D# at this point. Finally, tune the E to pitch with no lever engaged under the guitar (this is probably on the lower knee lever somewhere).

Dave

Ian Worley · Post by **Ian Worley** » 24 Nov 2019 2:16 pm

All the info you need is in this thread you started a couple of months ago: https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=2855503

If the info and descriptions there still don't make sense to you, you're really going to be much better off taking the guitar to someone who understands pull-release to get it set up properly

Bob Carlucci · Post by **Bob Carlucci** » 24 Nov 2019 3:12 pm

Did you back off the lower stop screw in the back of the changer frame?.. If that screw is in too far, it will not let the finger move back enough to lower that string, no matter how much you move the nylon tuner... bob

Ned McIntosh · Post by **Ned McIntosh** » 24 Nov 2019 5:03 pm

When you turn the tuning-nut, is the rod rotating as well? If so, the nut won't advance and retreat along the thread and it won't tune the open-note.
In the Marlen Pull-release system, is is vital the lowering rod (which is also used to tune the open-note via the tuning-nut) can't rotate.
On the lowering-rod there should be a stop-collar locked to the rod with a little tab that sits between the "ears" of the double-sided bellcrank that pushes on the collars to do the lower. These tabs prevent the rod rotating. If they drop out, the rod rotates and the tuning-nut achieves nothing.

Worth checking. The photo below shows the collars on the lowering-rods and the tabs inside the two sides of the bellcrank.