The Steel Guitar Forum

I have recently been looking at the C6 neck more frequently. The info that i am studying from say that the 5pedal should raise the 10string a whole step to D and raise the 9 string 1/2 step to F#. and lower the 5string 1/2/ step to F#. but my 5pedal lowers the 5string a whole step to G. Is this a change that is legitimate or have I done something to my pedal tuning rod for that string? I do not think it did this in the past but i am not sure, because it has been a while since i have fooled with it. thanks, gene jones

Gene my fifth pedal lowers my fifth string from G to F#. That would be counting from the middle back,with 10 being low C.

But your fifth string is already G. Did you mean that it lowers it a whole step to F ?
If so, I'd suspect it's out of adjustment, especially if those other two strings act as you describe when you activate the 5th pedal.
When it lowers to F#, then you have a full D9 chord from bottom to top, with the root on the tenth string.
-John

John, I think that lowering the 5string a 1/2 step to F# would always be the proper thing because that does make it a D9 chord as you pointed out. I think what my guitar is doing is all wrong for some reason , but i am not sure how to correct it. gene

Gene, as John says, the 5th string should already be tuned to a G, and normally lowers to an F#, so if it's going down a whole step to F, that just means it's lowering the string too much and you should just need to back off the nylon tuner (turning it counterclockwise) at the endplate for that lower till it's only lowering a half step.

Jim,
You're probably thinking of the Gene Jones from Oklahoma. This Gene E. Jones is from Texas, and may not be as experienced a player.
Dave

Ah, ok, Dave, thanks. I'll modify my post above.
Jim

Actually Jim, my 5th string is tuned to F# and lowers to F.

Don't confuse me further, Gene!

Jim,

It can be difficult "keeping up with the Joneses"!

Dave

I think the secret's in the Gene's.

Jim, I think that you are correct and all I need to do is turn the nylonb tuner counterclockwise till it comes back to F#. I am sure that will solve it. I am new enough to this that it is hard to tell which nylon tuner to turn at all times. What causes it to do this? I am not aware that i did anything to it unless changing strings can sometimes affect it. Thanks, gene jones

Gene,

Yes, changing the gauge of a string can cause this, so once you find a set you like, it's best to stick with it.

As for which nylon tuner to grab, just lean over and look at them all at the endplate, while stepping on the 5th pedal. You'll see one of the nylon tuners near the bottom moving in and out as you step on and release the pedal. (Actually, you'll also see some moving for the other strings that are being raised, but those will be nylons near the top of the changer. On a stock guitar this pedal has only one lower on it, for the 5th string, so look for that one. There's a vertical row of nylons for every string, and the top ones are all for raises and the bottom ones are all for lowers. You could count over 5 vertical rows from the high end of the neck (nearest to the E9 neck) and that will get you to the row for the 5th string. It's one of the bottom nylons on that row that you'll see moving when you engage the pedal. Once you spot that bad boy, turn it counterclockwise till it's only lowering to F#.

Good luck and let us know how it all turns out. But if you break your guitar, let's just forget the whole thing, okay?

All right Gene Jones from Oklahoma, why F# to F?

Because my tuning is B6 rather than C6.

That makes sense.

Jim, your directions worked perfectly and i am back in business. Also I think i finally understand how the nylon tuners are laid out thanks to your kind help. Gene Jones

Jim won't steer you wrong. He plays pretty darn good too.

Glad to be of service.
Enjoy your guitar!
Jimbeaux