The Steel Guitar Forum

Hey guys,

I just bought a BEAUTIFUL, teal green, SD10 Derby and I LOVE IT! However, it seems like the pedals are a little bit "harder" than what I'm used to. Should I drop to a .017 on the fifth string and a .020 on the sixth, adjust the return springs or what? I really don't want to have to go underneath and fool with leverages.

Also, did you guys stick with the stock E-66's or put something else in? I've only played it thru a TransTube Fex w/headphones on, First gig back playing will be weekend after this coming.

Thanks in advance,

Skeeter

I've had my D-10 since new, & I did notice the action a little stiffer than other guitars I've had, especially in the KL's. But I've noticed in mine that now the action is quite easy & supple, so it plays even better now than brand new. So with mine there was a break in period. No slop though, it's just as tight & responsive as day one, but the action is VERY nice & easy, & I think that comes from just playing it & regular oiling. Some recommend every 3rd string change, I do it every other string change as I don't play as often as I used to. And Derby recommends SUPER OIL.
So I wouldn't mess with string guages if it were me.
On the pickups, I tried gtrs. with BL pickups & I was set to order them until I played a Derby with the E-66's. Having said that I was a push/pull player for 23 yrs., the tone BLEW ME AWAY! IMHO, they're the perfect match for the cabinet & changer. So that's what I have, & I'm sticking with 'em. Me happy.
My 2 cents. Hope this helps.

What Rex says JJ

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No problems with my Derby: I have changed out
the pick up to L XR-16.Love it. I also think the BL 710 or 910 would be a better choice over the E-66. (With the E-66 it does have the Emmons sounds.)

I've had my Derby SD-10 4X5 for about a year, and I'll tell ya, I wouldn't trade it for ANYTHING !!!! I did change the George L E-66 for a George L-Tommy White and improved the sound even better than expected. Its not quite as crisp on the highs,as the E-66 and overall , much better to these ol ears. I use a profex ll split into a Nashville 400 and a fender twin. I get the best of both worlds that way. but as stated in an above post, the more you play it, the better it gets. I wouldn't adjust a thing, and surely dont change the string guages. Give it some time and I think you'll find that stiffness you spoke of just goes away. for the pick-up change, no neck alteration was needed for the George L Tommy white. Congrats on choosing a Derby, I think Charlie Stepp puts out a fine Steel, and I think you'll find the service part of it beyond compair. God Bless.

Joe
Derby SD-10 4X5 Nashville 400 Fender twin
Profex ll Lexicon MPX 100

Thanks for you replies, keep 'em coming. Could it be that this has seen so LITTLE use that it's not broken in yet? I bought it from fellow Forumite Harley Helton, aka "Golf2Steel" and it really was as described...It looks like it just came off a showroom floor. I wonder if the owner previous to Harley just never played it?

Hmmmm.....

Forrest, contact Charlie about this. My Derby plays as smooth as ...., and never needed to break in. Maybe the owner before you adjusted some at the returnsprings or had his own ideas on adjusting the splittuning-screws. Call Charlie, say hi from me and tell him the problem! Johan

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You Can Always Change Your Pull Rods To Make It Softer Or Harder. SONNY.

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SONNYPRIDDY