The Steel Guitar Forum

Hey all!

Recently have been getting my Shobud in working order and finding a few issues with it. The first one I'm taking care of but this one popped up and I know quite know what to do.

The pedal and lever setup on the E9th neck is the standard Emmons setup and everything is working fine BUT the LKR lever that is suppose to take both E's(the 4 and 8 ) down to Eb works on the 8 but on the 4 it takes it to a sharp Eb when halfway engaged and then back up to flat E when fully engaged. This throws it completely out of whack for me with my 8 at Eb and my 4 at a flat E.

I've tried tuning at the screws(I don't know the technical name for it) and the one for that lever is fully loosened on the 4th string. So I think it can be fixed with some adjustment but I don't know where to start. Any sorely needed advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you!

- Jason

Sho-Buds have helper springs on the raise fingers, IIRC. It sounds like your 4th string helper is too strong.

Jason...Check the changer finger for string #8 at the endplate to determine if it has returned fully to position when released. If it is not aligned and appears to be slightly forward of the others, it is over adjusted. Back off the tuning nuts for both 'E' raises until there is no change in pitch when lever is engaged, then try retuning string #4...Please keep us informed.

in addition, keep in mind that this is a 40 + year old Instrument, it is also probable and possible that the finger rivet is probably worn out. If it is, pull the axle and swap the changer finger assy with a string changer assy that has never had a pull such as 9...

An Instrument such as this should be taken apart completely and each component inspected and repaired/replaced as necessary.

it's a great Steel !

good luck

I had the same problem a couple days ago. I have rebuilt my changer and it could use replacement fingers. Already had the raise return springs off, and so I stretched out the lower return spring A LITTLE and it was fixed. Still scratching my head as to why this worked. I did notice that the lower return spring was catching on the bottom of the finger as it stretched out with the pull. If I dont buy new fingers I may start switching them around because they are worn and loose.

My instructor Bob Harris talked to Lefty Schrage and recommended detuning my 4 string and bringing the nut in more and retuning. It DID work to fix the "going back up to E" issue but I found another one. So when perfectly tuned to E it won't go all the way down to Eb, so I'll retune it with the lever engaged and when I bring it back up the E is then out of tune. Suggestions? This is my first guitar so I probably wouldn't be very good at tearing into it..