Help w RKL mechanical issue

Jon DeLorme · From: Brooklyn New York, USA

Hello Forum members

Yesterday after I restrung my steel I ran into this mechanical issue perhaps yall can shed some light on.

First off I have a Pedalmaster "the General" S10 3x5, a great reliable machine which never had any issues until yesterday

While tuning up the knee levers when I went to tune the 5th string G# > F# on my RKL I noticed it wouldn't drop past G. I checked the nylon tuner and it was maxed out so I replaced it.

When I then tuned the new nylon tuner I noticed every time I tried to tune the knee lever the string would also drop and I still cant get it past 1/2 step apart. Basically I tune the knee lever to f# and it brings the string to G, I tune the string to G# and the RKL tunes to G. Its a vicious cycle that is testing my patience.

Can anyone help?

Thanks
Jon

Mike Wheeler · From: Delaware, Ohio, USA

I think you meant your 6th string. The 5 is a B note.

Sounds like you switched from a plain 6th string, to a wound string. The wound string will require far move pull travel than a plain string because of its very small core wire. The thinner, or smaller gauge, a string is, the more pull distance will be required to move a note a half step.

So, either you have to readjust the pull train for the wound 6th string, or replace it with a plain string (which I suspect is what you originally had)....your choice.
_________________
Best regards,
Mike

mike nolan · From: Forest Hills, NY USA

Yep... typical problem with a gauge change. If that is what you did, if not, then something might have dropped into the changer during the string change. If the nylon was maxed out before the string change, then you probably need to adjust for a bit more pedal travel anyway.

Also, do you have split tune screws on the guitar?

Jon DeLorme · From: Brooklyn New York, USA

I changed from a .22 wound string to a .20 semi flat wound. Would that be enough to do it?

thnx for the input

Jim Williams · From: Meridian, Mississippi, USA - Home of Peavey!

Any change in gauge will affect pulls. I found that out the first time I put a (standard) set of E9 strings on my old BMI. I had to move a change a rod setting to get it corrected. I don't know if the previous owner had changed the gauge or if the guitar was designed to have a different gauge than the set I used. A change of two gauges and a wound to a flat wound would be a pretty large change I would think.
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GFI SM10 3/4, 1937 Gibson EH-150, 2 - Rondo SX Lap Steels and a Guyatone 6 String C6. Peavey 400 and a Roland 40 Amps. Behringer Reverb Pedal.

David Hartley · Posted 31 Mar 2014 7:16 am Hi

I use a 0.22plain.
Give one a try...
That should do the trick...

Carl Kilmer · From: East Central, Illinois

I had the same problem 3 weeks ago when I changed the
strings on my Mullen's. I used S.I.T strings and I wasn't
able to use the 6th string at all. The package was labeled
.22P but it was a wound string. I checked the other packs
and they all had .22W in them. I called S.I.T and they said
someone goofed on a lot of orders. They sent me 6 strings
at no cost and I had them in 3 days. Now that's good service.
_________________
aka "Lucky Kay"--Custom built Rittenberry SD10 3X5, Walker S/S, NV-112, and Hilton Pedal

Jason Lynch · From: Essex, United Kingdom

Strangely, I had the same issue with a set of Jagwire standards. Said 0.22P on the pack, but had a 0.22W in the pack. It wouldn't lower a whole tone either.

Jon DeLorme · From: Brooklyn New York, USA

Mine were the S.I.T. strings....interesting...I'll be giving them a call.

thanks carl

Mike Wheeler · From: Delaware, Ohio, USA

Jon DeLorme · From: Brooklyn New York, USA

BINGO! that did the trick.

yet another reason I love the forum.

thnx everyone

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