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Topic: A Pedal stopped working with 10th string |
Andy Brown
From:
Illinois, USA
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Posted 6 Aug 2020 5:45 am |
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Hi all, I'm hoping some experienced minds can help me with this issue. Last night while practicing on my MCI SD-10 my A pedal stopped pulling the 10th string.
As I was playing I noticed the 10th string was only going up a 1/2 step instead of a full step. I stopped playing. Thinking the tuning nut might have slipped, I started experimenting there. After adjusting the tuning nut I found the string didn't change pitch at all. My 5th string still makes the whole step change with the A pedal. If I tighten the tuning nut up on the 10th string it actually inhibits the 5th string from being pulled by the A pedal.
Any help is greatly appreciated! |
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Jim Palenscar
From:
Oceanside, Calif, USA
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Posted 6 Aug 2020 6:02 am
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| take a look underneath where the pedal rod goes into the bellcreak (the thingamabob on the cross shaft- it should be pretty close to the cross shaft)- not up the ladder |
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Jon Light (deceased)
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 6 Aug 2020 7:31 am
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| Check to see if the bellcrank on string 10 is loose on the cross shaft. |
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Andy Brown
From:
Illinois, USA
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Posted 6 Aug 2020 8:37 am
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Jim and Jon, thank you for your help. It has pointed me in the right direction, and I think I have found the issue.
I'm not 100% on terminology, but I believe the "finger" is getting stuck and not returning to it's original position after engaging the A pedal. I've added a video for reference. Any tips on how to fix this issue?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFCD2mmkyrk&feature=youtu.be |
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Jon Light (deceased)
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 6 Aug 2020 8:52 am
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| Check out my post on Overtuning at the top of this page. I'm not saying that's the problem. But I'm not saying it's not. |
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Andy Brown
From:
Illinois, USA
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Posted 6 Aug 2020 9:43 am
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Hi Jon, I checked out the Overtuning post - very informative and helpful stuff. I was able to troubleshoot for only a few minutes - I will try again tonight, but I feel this is not the issue, though I've been wrong plenty before.
The pedal was working normally prior to the issue and I had never experienced any of the tuning issues associated with overtuning or undertuning. Backing off the nylon tuning nut doesn't return the finger to rest either. Only pressing on the part under the bridge (as seen in the video) will return the finger to rest. It seems like the finger is getting caught and not returning to rest after using the A pedal. Hopefully this is informative, I'm trying to be as descriptive as possible. Thanks again for all the pointers. |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 6 Aug 2020 9:44 am
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I would try some lube on the sticky finger. It looks like it's binding up. 
Erv |
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Andy Brown
From:
Illinois, USA
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Posted 6 Aug 2020 9:51 am
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Thanks Erv! What type of lube do you recommend? Any tips on application? I'm pretty new to this, if you couldn't tell  |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 6 Aug 2020 10:15 am
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Andy,
My favorite is "Tri-Flow".
You can buy that in a needle point lubricator.
If you can't locate this product, use a light oil like 3 in 1, or Singer sewing machine oil.
Erv |
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Henry Brooks
From:
Los Gatos, California, USA
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Posted 6 Aug 2020 10:47 am
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Check that a part of a broken string hasn't become lodged in the changer. This happens because of the way the string is held in place in a grove in the finger assembly. When a string breaks the tail falls straight down. Also, check that the pull rod hasn't drop out of its bellcrank. The MCI uses small rubber o-rings to hold the pull rods in place. The o-rings dry out and fall off.
Henry |
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Andy Brown
From:
Illinois, USA
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Posted 6 Aug 2020 2:09 pm Problem: Solved!
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Hi all, thanks for your help in troubleshooting this issue. I learned quite a bit about the underside with all of your input.
It ended up being a string end caught deep down in the changer, causing the 10th string to be completely locked. It felt like quite the endeavor removing it as it was firmly stuck in there. I ended up removing some springs and rods to get all the way in there and remove it.
She's tuned back up and is playing better than ever. Thank again everyone! |
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Jon Light (deceased)
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 8 Aug 2020 3:39 am
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That's great. That so totally should be at the top of the troubleshooting list and I sometimes leave it off because it sounds like a broken record.
Thin needle nose pliers, a couple of dental tools and a set of ball-end allen wrenches are among my most used toolbox implements.
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Lee Baucum
From:
McAllen, Texas (Extreme South) The Final Frontier
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Posted 8 Aug 2020 5:59 am
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I've had one of those dental tools in my tool box for at least 20 years. They can be very useful.
I've even used it on a pesky ingrown toenail!
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