The Steel Guitar Forum

Hey all,

I've gone and done it now.

Can anybody help me rectify my overtuning problem on my RKR lower 1/2 and -1.

I can't seem to get them in sync without returning the Eb 2nd string to a higher pitch!

Any help would be much appreciated!

sw

Steve,
What brand of steel do you have ?

When you jiggle the lever does the open 2nd string come back to pitch ?

Is there a raise on the 2nd string also ?

Does your open (no lever) 2nd string change pitch at all when you tune at the endplate ?

Might be something as simple as your return spring is a little tight or the rollers at the keyhead are stuck.

If it is pretty subtle it might a sorta normal problem.

Hey Bob,

I have a Fulawka, I've done this before, too. I think I have it back to almost normal, but I can't get the lower down to a full pitch without starting to overtune the string

I do have a 1/2 raise as well...

any thoughts, good sir?

I hate it when this happens

Hey Steve, When you try to tune the full tone lower, does the open note go sharp? If the open note, half tone raise and half tone lower are all in tune and returning in tune, it may be you need more travel to get the full tone lower in tune. If this is the case, to achieve this, you need to adjust the stop on that knee lever. I'm not exactly sure about the Fulawka but on some guitars it is simply a set screw with a locking nut. Just back the screw out slightly, it shouldn't take much. If you do this and it works, you will have to re-tune the other changes on that knee lever. If it doesn't work, put it back where it was and call Ed! Reading your post reminds me, I'm going to send a message to your email.

Check the raise for overturning by seeing if the open string changed pitch when you tune the raise at the end plate.

One thing you can try that won't screw anything up is loosen all the end plate tuning nuts until they don't do anything. Then tune the open string. After that tune the end plate tuners.

Thanks all! I loosened everything up until the levers change nothing.

I re-tuned the second string at the keyhead then slowly screwed the hexes back in.

It works, but at times I feel I just *slightly* can't get the lower low enough.

Cheers.
sw

Cool. Now try what Dale suggested and it might do the trick.

Don't it grate!
I have this problem - usually because I've been 'tweaking' too much, but solving the problem can take a while. I also have springs on the lowers' and, if they are too tight, there's not enough 'compression' left on the spring to achieve the required lower note - but, if the spring isn't tight enough, the string won't return to pitch ... so, springs, pull-rods, adjustable stops and hex tuners... and, given that most strings are 'doubled', you get one sorted out and it has bu**ered the other...
I have just spent most of the day re-setting my old Sho-Bud after a gig last night only 200 yards down the street!!
Ho hum.

Remember. There should be slack in all pullrods when a pedal or a knee lever is not engaged. Turn the steel over and make sure that every pedal and knee lever has slack. If not, you already have an overtuning going on.
If you change string brand, the new string might need a longer travel. You compensate this with tuning the nylon screw. This is a common way to get lost. Make sure you have enough back slack if you have a screw for that. Back off till you again have enough slack.