The Steel Guitar Forum

Looking for suggestions on fixing a problem. I am having issues with LKL and LKR on string 8.
LKR will not always return or evan adjust to proper pitch. I can not back off the nylon nut enough for it to disengage. Now LKL not engaging on 8th string. It looks like the rod is twisting when I engage LKR.
Any Advise? Help----------

Hi Ron,

here's one thing you can try...slack all the lowering nylon tuners on the knee lever that lowers the 8th and then tune your 8th string on the raise and see if it returns in tune after try tunning the lower 8th ect... and if if it doesn't comeback intune it's probably a return spring problem, if you don't have enough or to much slack on that pull... you can try adjusting the bellcrank or the pull rod and also make sure your nylon nut is not strip inside, you can also try to lower the 8th string with your finger underneath at the changer and see what's causing the problem.

Ron, try this as well: You might have a sticking roller. Back off the string with the tuning peg until you can turn the roller ensure that it rolls freely. Put a drop of thin oil on the axle.

It could also be that your changer is in need of cleaning and lubricating.

As well, make sure the lower return spring is tight enough to do its job.

Had a similar problem with the 8th string lower on my 73 classic recently. It got to the point that it would only lower about a quarter of a tone even with the knee lever stop taken off. After trying everything conceivable even down to raising the string gauge I took the changer out. The lower scissor had worn a grove in the top aluminium finger. I filed and sanded the groove out and then swaped the 8th finger with the ninth and everything works fine. The ninth string lower was unaffected with its slightly reshaped new finger. Hope you don't have to go this far to solve your problem, it's a bit of a chore.
Good luck G.

Geoff, that's interesting info, I kind of predicted that in my mind when I built my steels. So I decided to use a sealed ball bearing at that point. It will never wear out.

Thanks Everyone!
I will try all of these idea's tomorrow. Need to do the Uncle Sam thing afterwork today. Ordered a New Wiliams SDU12 but need my Guitar working.
It's my therapy!!!!
Thanks again to you all.

OK , Back from the tax man.
I have located the problem, now I just have to describe it!
The part where the rod attaches to the lower finger is sometimes
getting stuck against a metal plate that runs under the return springs.
It seems to fix itself when you apply LKL. It's not the spring, I took it
off. All of the others run smoothly under that metal plate.
Thanks Guys, I know I need to learn my part names
Ron

Ron,

take off that plate underneath the strings and turn it
around and put back in. also, the barrels tubes some times get a groove in them and get hung up. you
can get new ones or clean the barrels with lacquer
thinner.

p.w

Thanks everyone! Got it mostly figured out.
LKR still sticking a little. I am going to bring it
to Dave Peterson (who I highly recommend for
anyone in Northern IL - Souther WI). He did some
previous work for me. Also hope to gain some
mechanical Knowledge.