The Steel Guitar Forum

Hello all,

I'm not great on the technical side of things, so I appreciate any advice. I am wanting to change my RKL String 1 to go from F# to G#. Right now it's F# to G. Any advice on the best way to adjust that would be appreciated. Is it just the tuning, or do I need to do something else? I also have the same set up on the 7th string, but I am not worried about that one at this point. Eventually I want to take that out and move the 6th string to go from G# to F#. Thanks.

Evan

I recommend pulling 2 to E if you're gonna go to F#. DO NOT USE IT AS A HALF STOP.
The change sounds best pulling together

You may be able to simply adjust the nylon tuner, but you may need (or want) to also move the rod to a different hole in changer or bellcrank to give it more travel for the same lever motion (ask if that isn't clear) - otherwise you will end up with excessive lever travel to do the change.

Also be sure that there is still enough slack in the action to avoid binding...you can adjust as above to simply have the change happen faster, and/or adjust the stop on the lever to allow more travel and slack.

Adding the change on the same lever to E on string 2, as Lane suggests, gives you a V chord on open strings 1,2,5, moving to a I chord when you hit that lever.

The RKL on my D-10 Franklin raises the 1st string F# to G#, the 2nd string Eb to E and lowers the 6th string G# to F# (and splits with the B pedal).

Later today, I'll post what changer finger holes and puller slots mine is using. Mr Franklin set mine up.

Here's what I have on my Franklin.

1st string (F# to G# raise).
Puller finger - 1st slot (closest to body)
Changer finger raise hole #1 (top hole)

2nd string (Eb to E raise).
Puller finger - 2nd slot (from body)
Changer finger raise hole #2 (2nd from top or middle hole)

6th string (G# to F# lower).
Puller finger - 4th slot (from body)
Changer finger lower hole #2 (bottom hole)