The Steel Guitar Forum

I'm fairly new in the padal steel world and I could use some info on lubricting my steel. I have a GFI Expo SD-10 and I'm having some problems with it holding pitch. When I press the pedals down,a couple of open strings go flat. I was told by GFI that this guitar shouldn't have to be lubricated. Any help would be appreciated.

ahhh, you have just discovered the often debated "cabinet drop" - do a forum search - that will give you a few days of reading and research

its got nothing to do with lubrication. the only "fix" is to temper tune the steel..ie, you just cant tune it straight up to A440, that is causing some of your troubles.

It's a little unfair to suggest that GFI in particular has a problem with "not being well made". It's safe to say that almost all pedal steels have "cabinet drop" to some degree.

If it bothers you enough, you can put on compensator rods. But it's also fair to say that a lot of players including top pros play guitars without compensators and manage to make music that doesn't sound out of tune at all.

The GFI's I've had didn't have any tuning problems once I set them up with my set up. Check for bellcranks that are not tight that might be moving just enough to make the guitar go out of tune a little. Matter of fact, I'd check every nut and bolt on the guitar. Sounds like a simple fix. Gene Fields builds a fine guitar. (Also make sure each pull rod is not binding on another one.)

I think you can solve problm by using cusom diamiter strings i had same problem call Bobbe Seymour he will put a set together for you no extra charge check him out

Here's a long-shot possibility: in my Williams manual, it says to avoid getting any oil under the strings as they pass over the changer. He says that this causes incorrect return from a change ("hysteresis"). Just a guess

Hey Norman,

Have you tried different strings, changing strings with smaller gauge will reduce cabinet drop alot, if you never tried Jagwire strings ...you should give it try, these strings made a big difference on my steel for tone and cabinet drop, it won't reduce it to 0% but it will help, and also check everything under the guitar to make sure that nothing is sticking, loose or out of alignment.