Knee lever not returning

Justin Jacobson · From: Rochester, MN

Hey all,

SO I am still pretty new to the steel guitar, only been playing for a couple years now. And I've run into my first mechanical issue, since I have very little in the way of knowledge of how to fine tune the underside of my steel (it scares me a little under there) I was hoping someone could give me some tips.

My Left knee Left lever when released after being engaged will not return all the way which leaves me about a quarter step out of tune. When I looked at the underside I noticed the lever has a spring attached to it to pull the lever back to position and I was unsure if/how I should go about tightening that up. Or if I need to loosen something else.

Oh it's a sho-bud pro-II if that helps.

Thanks for helping me out.

Carl Kilmer · From: East Central, Illinois

Hi Justin. Sounds like the return is loosing tension.
If it's adjustable you can tighten it up a little. if
not cut 1 or 2 windings off to give it more strength.
You might want to check the changer and crossrods to
see if there binding somewhere. That will always give
you the problems of strings not returning to pitch.
Where in Ill. are you, I'm 10 miles South of Marshall.
Carl
_________________
aka "Lucky Kay"--Custom built Rittenberry SD10 3X5, Walker S/S, NV-112, and Hilton Pedal

Dave Grafe · From: Hudson River Valley NY

Look to see if the string is properly aligned on the bridge finger, if it is crooked it will cause the finger to bind and cause the problem you describe.

This happened to me not long ago, most likely I knocked the bridge hard enough to push the string sideways while putting it into the case.

Quentin Hickey · From: Nova Scotia, Canada

Check to see that the sleeves on the end of the rod arent catching on anything as you disengage the lever. Two people are better than one for this experiment.

Justin Jacobson · From: Rochester, MN

Thanks for the recommendations guys.I'm still not sure how to go about fixing this though.

Also the LKL raises my E to F like most standard E9. I do not have any problem with the C pedal raising it to F# or the LKR lowering it to Eb.

Dave, wouldn't the string binding in the bridge effect all of these?

Cal, should I look into adjusting the springs down by the bridge or the spring near the lever itself? I have a feeling it's the one by the lever itself but I'd hate to tinker to much under there and mess things up.
Also I'm in Chicago, so if anyone knows of someone here who might be willing to help me out let me know.

I'd really like to get a better handle on the underside of the steel.

Carl Kilmer · From: East Central, Illinois

Justin,
If you have a spring adjustment at the changer for
each string, find the one for the 4th string and turn
it clockwise 1 or 2 turns at a time to make it pull a
bit harder. It should't need a very much adjustment.
Carl
_________________
aka "Lucky Kay"--Custom built Rittenberry SD10 3X5, Walker S/S, NV-112, and Hilton Pedal

Earnest Bovine · From: Los Angeles CA USA

Jim Eaton · From: Santa Susana, Ca

As no one else has mentioned this, get a flashlight and look in every nook and cranny of the changer for the ball end of a broken spring stuck up in there someplace that is causing the problem.

JE:-)>
_________________
Emmons D10PP 8/4 -75'
Emmons S-10PP 3/4 - 79'
Emmons S-12PP 3/4 -78'
MSA Legend SD12 5/5 -06'
Mullen S-12 4/5 - 1986
Nashville 112 x2 W/Knob Guards - Don't leave home with out one!
Walker SS rack system - 12"BW's
Quilter Steelaire Combo

Phil Ajjarapu · From: Portland, via Austin, TX via Chicago

I had this same issue on my RKR lowering my Es to Eb.
Jim Flynn of Lonestar Guitars gave me this advice which helped me out.

Walter Glockler · From: Northern New Mexico

Justin, just read your post today after making a search "knee lever not returning". Did you solve the problem and if yes, how?
Thanks.

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