Pedal Master under carriage maintenance question

Jon DeLorme · Post by **Jon DeLorme** » 30 Mar 2013 5:53 pm

I am doing maintenance for the first time on my pedal steel. My B pedal started making a clicking noise and upon closer examination I notice the brass pot with the hex screw that my finger is pointing to is loose. I have the hex screwdriver but I am wondering how I can access it to tightening it since front on access is blocked from the other piece.

Any advice out there? Thanks

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 30 Mar 2013 6:13 pm

Looks like you might be able to get an angled allen (or maybe a ball end) wrench in there. If not, you may have to loosen or remove the one that is in the way to get to it.

Jon DeLorme · Post by **Jon DeLorme** » 30 Mar 2013 6:15 pm

yah, an angled allen is the only way

Jon DeLorme · Post by **Jon DeLorme** » 30 Mar 2013 6:23 pm

well i got an angled allen in there but it doesnt seem to tighten and is still loose. is there something im missing with tightening this?

Jon DeLorme · Post by **Jon DeLorme** » 30 Mar 2013 6:35 pm

ok so I loosened the screw a bit and the issue stopped. perhaps it got too tight...it still seems a little looser than the others

Marvin Born · Post by **Marvin Born** » 30 Mar 2013 6:56 pm

Remove the set screw, slide the pull rod out and then the brass insert. Check the brass insert for cracks. Check the pull rod for burrs. If loosening the set screw makes it work, something is wrong.

Jon DeLorme · Post by **Jon DeLorme** » 30 Mar 2013 7:34 pm

WOW! the brass insert is all chewed up....problem diagnosed. thanks

Jon DeLorme · Post by **Jon DeLorme** » 30 Mar 2013 7:37 pm

how can i buy more of these brass insert

Marvin Born · Post by **Marvin Born** » 30 Mar 2013 9:12 pm

I would Google Pedalmaster steel guitars. They have a web site, with a phone number.

Ivan Funk · Post by **Ivan Funk** » 31 Mar 2013 1:37 am

Hi Jon!

PedalMaster has shut down.
You can email Roy Thomas and ask if he still has parts available.
PEDALINGWEST@GMAIL.COM

Also -
Michael at psgparts.com might have something that will work.
I would measure yours and see if these are the correct dimensions:
http://www.psgparts.com/Barrel-Locking- ... BL-250.htm

Les Wright · Post by **Les Wright** » 31 Mar 2013 3:24 am

You might check with GFI, I thought they shared the bellcranks with Pedalmaster.

ROBERT MYERS · Post by **ROBERT MYERS** » 31 Mar 2013 3:26 am

Jon you can get them from GFI since Pedalmaster uses the same thing or from Billy Coopers

Marvin Born · Post by **Marvin Born** » 31 Mar 2013 7:04 am

Before you order the parts. I suggest you check out the other bell cranks, especially, those associated with pedal one and two plus the knee lever that lowers E's.

I have a GFI and some of the brass inserts were a little loose in the bell cranks causing the pull rod to bind just a little and wear where the pull rods pass through.

Check out this old Dale Hansen posting on the forum.

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopi ... highlight=

I installed a few nylon washers and it smoothed out the pulls. The bell cranks have to be aligned perfectly if you do this.

Dick Sexton · Post by **Dick Sexton** » 31 Mar 2013 7:26 am

Do this only if you need your steel to gig with while the new parts are coming.
Loosen the allen screw, pull out the pull rod, rotate the brass piece 180 degrees
and then re-install. This will put the mostley unused part of the brass piece,
against the stainless bell crank. Could be good for many gigs.

Jon DeLorme · Post by **Jon DeLorme** » 31 Mar 2013 9:25 am

words cannot express how grateful I am that this forum exsists for this very reason. A specific questions yields the advice and expertise found nowhere else on the information superhighway.

Thanks all for the help

@ Dick, that was a great fix until these come in the mail.

Cheers & Happy pickin

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Pedal Master under carriage maintenance question

Pedal Master under carriage maintenance question

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