The Steel Guitar Forum

I just got a guitar this week to learn how to play on, and am having trouble tuning the pedals.
I am trying to tune the pedals on a 9 year old Carter D-10 that has been unplayed for many years.
I'm having a real tough time figuring out why the nylon hex tuning shafts for the pedals don't seem to want to turn so I can tune them.
They seem to be so tight, that I'm afraid I might break one off. I am hoping someone might know what to do next, or information about why these would be so hard to turn?
Thanks in advance for any help.

Susan,
Don't be afraid to put some pressure on the tuning nuts.
I would suggest that you loosen them first, then tighten to tune your pedals.
I have the same situation with my Carter that I use every week.

When the tuning nuts are first put on the rods, they are not completely threaded. This makes them tight so they don't loosen as you play.

Carter tuners seem to be a little too tight, but better than loose.

They should not break. They are nylon.
DO NOT apply any type lubricant to the threads.

Let me know how it works for you.

Bill

The reason for being tight is that the nylon nuts are not threaded until they are put on the rod,the thread on the rod is what makes the thread in the nut,so in effect you are cutting new threads as you turn the nut.The hole for the nut is drilled a tad undersize to accommodate the thread so as to hold it in place after tuning,otherwise were it not you wouldn't be able to maintain the correct tuning.(from an old retired machinist of 37 1/2 yrs. & an old ex-guitar player to a new steel guitar player)Ok,I'm done playin' now!

Bees wax on the threads. Works great and won't hurt a thing.

Thanks everyone for your great responses! I tried using a little more force loosening the tuning nuts and they began to move some. I'm definately thankful to all of you for your advice.

I have some additional questions about general maintanence which I will repost. I'm hoping you will be able to head me in the right direction on these questions as well!

Thanks,
Susan

Welcome to the SGF Susan!

I produced a DVD for Al Brisco covering what you need to know about basic maintenance, and more.

It's available in the Forum Store.

http://www.steelguitarshopper.com/produ ... r-DVD.html

Hi Susan and again, welcome to the Forum. Get a hold of Forum member Carl Williams and see if he still sells his "big tuning wrench". It makes tuning your guitar a lot easier. Click Here

Thanks to you all for such great tips and advice. It really is so very helpful!
Susan

Hi Susan and welcome to the forum and this fascinating, intimidating, perplexing, bewildering and absorbing instrument.

I second the suggestion for one of Carl Williams' BIG tuning wrenches. They really do make turning a recalcitrant tuning-nut that much easier.

But they are really, really BIG. When mine arrived, we had to remove the roof over my place and hire a crane to lower it inside, then put the roof back on!

They work so well I had to order another. This time I got smarter...just knocked a wall out and moved it inside on a flat-bed truck!

You gotta have at least one of Carl's really BIG wrenches!