The Steel Guitar Forum

I need a some help with my guitar, I just changed out the 6th string on my Lashley Le Grande and now I'm having a tuning problem. I started by tuning it up to G# but when I depressed the B pedal the A note was really flat. I tried tuning the B pedal but by the time I got a nice A note the G# was pulled really sharp. I tried several times to tune the string and pedal but each time I came to the same result. I've changed the stings on this guitar before and I've never had any issues. The old string was a wire (I have no idea what gauge or brand it was) while the new one is a SIT Power Flats .020PF nickel semi-flat. Can this be fixed or should I just get a new string? What string type and gauge should I be using on this guitar? I would really appreciate any help as I have a jam with a new band in two days and I'm going to need that 6th sting and B pedal sounding right.

Thanks.

It sounds like your old string was a plain and your new one is wound. Most Emmons E9 sets use .022 plain for the 6th string.

When you replace a plain string with a wound, you will find that you need more travel in the pedal to reach pitch. The string that you replaced was likely a .022 plain that is a much shorter pull. So when you tune the pedal, you are overtuning the open. With no pedal depressed play the 6th string while loosening the tuning nut, you will hear the note going flat back down to pitch.

Try a .022 plain, which will get you back in business. If you really like the wound string, then you will need to adjust the travel on any pedals/levers that activate the 6th string.

Thanks for advice, I'm not much of a gearhead I only used the wound string because it just happened to be in my case. I do still have the old string and it's is a plain one and it feels heavier to the touch than the new string. I'll be going to the music store tomorrow for a new .022.

Thanks again.

That's the sort of advice that makes this forum so helpful for everyone . Dave could have struggled for a long time to work out what took a minute to post here .Well done forum .

Dave:
Breakdown and buy a new set of Jagwires and you will be a happy camper