The Steel Guitar Forum

Hey all-

I've got a pretty cool steel here, but I'm suddenly having issues with my RKL that are confounding me. Here's the problem: when I use RKL to lower my 6th (G# to G) it goes about 80 percent of the way, maxing out the pull available and leaving the pitch still sharp of G. Then, when I back the lever towards resting (just a fraction of an inch!) the note actually drops further and ends up in tune. I can't figure this one out to save my life, and am not terribly familiar with the mechanics of the changer. Any ideas out there?

Thanks so much.

Mark

I bet that, if you watch the fingers as you activate the knee, you'll see the raise finger move and then come back.
One of two remedies should fix it: the cause MIGHT be friction. A drop of your lubricant of choice (a light machine oil such as 3 in 1, TriFlow or similar - Mickey Adams uses jet turbine oil, but he drives them things for a living) applied to the scissor might help if it's been awhile since the guitar was lubed.USE SPARINGLY.
The other problem might be a too-stiff return spring, and the changer finds less resistance moving the raise finger than continuing to fight the spring. I'd back it off no more than a turn at first.
You also didn't say whether you have a plain or wound 6th: you can shift pitch easier with a plain, but most folks think wound sounds better.

It will do no good to give advice until we know WHAT changer you have. Can you tell us a little about it--such as,
1)where the strings attach to the finger, is there a pin or a slot?
2)Is your changer single raise/single lower, double raise/ single lower, etc.
3)Does it have nylon tuners or metal allen head ends?

Then, with this info, we can help you cut through the chase.

James Morehead wrote:It will do no good to give advice until we know WHAT changer you have. Can you tell us a little about it--such as,
1)where the strings attach to the finger, is there a pin or a slot?
2)Is your changer single raise/single lower, double raise/ single lower, etc.
3)Does it have nylon tuners or metal allen head ends?

Then, with this info, we can help you cut through the chase.

Agreed - could be a myriad of things. Also a picture underneath wouldn't hurt

One of my old Sho~Buds did this. It was a two-hole puller mechanism with the round pullers. I bet this is the one you have. The cause was a bent rod. The bend would cause an exaggerated pull just coming off the lever. Make sure the rod is not bent and that there's a straight line across the rod from changer to puller.

Actually if it lowers further when you being to release the lever you have it over-tightened. Simply back it off and start over. If there is a raise helper spring on that finger (found from the changer to a small bracket under the pull rods) disconnect it.