The Steel Guitar Forum

This is a picture of the end of the C6 neck. My setup has the second string (E) lower to a D with a knee lever. When the string is lowered, it can't return all the way back because the finger(?) catches on the bottom of this plate and so the string stays flat. I took the rod out for this picture, but it is the second lower from the right. The very bottom of it catches on its way back. It is the only one on the whole guitar that catches like that. Can it be raised somehow so it won't catch? I have never had this problem before. Thank you for any suggestions.

Chris..It may possibly be the tuning nut that is catching and not the finger itself..If that is the case, one method would be to move the rod to the upper hole in the finger, but that solution may or may not not allow adaquate adjustment to lower the string to pitch. Another, (which I used in a similar situation), is to slide a very thin piece of cardboard between the tuning nut and that section of the endplate so that the nut does not catch. The third, (and least desirable in my opinion), is to bend the pull rod up SLIGHTLY on the end to allow clearance...Hope this helps.

I can't tell in the picture but, the white nut seems to have sharp edges, whereas, the clearer ones seem to have a chamfered edged on them. It could be that the sharp edge is catching on the return. You might try swapping the white nut for the clear nut and see if that helps. Other than that, I don't see a difference or problem with the changer.

Its the metal part that catches, not the tuning nut. The string can't return to pitch because the finger catches the bottom of the endplate. I took the tuning nut off and pulled the rod out (second lower from right) so you can see it. All the lowers look close to the endplate, but the second string is the only one that catches.

If that is the case, the changer may have become misaligned. Place the guitar in the case with the undercarriage facing upwards and check the screws/bolts that secure the changer to the cabinet to determine if any may have become loose.

I would release the tension on the 2nd string , take the spring off , then move the lower arm away from the endplate . Then use a small file , and take some of the endplate off ,,,about a 30 degree angle would probably be enough.

This picture is looking down at the changer(?) of the C6 neck. I turned the two hex screws on either side and it raised the entire mechanism. It does not catch anymore. Do all pedal steels have these screws, or is this just something that Sho-Buds have? Is there an actual name for this adjustment, and why would you want to adjust this? If you lower it too far down, the fingers will catch on the endplate. Also, is there a standard distance you would want this to be set at? Sorry for all the questions at once, but I seem to learn new things about this instrument almost every day.