The Steel Guitar Forum

I have an LDG and have noticed that when you Press the B pedal, the third string raises evenly through ought the pedal action but the sixth string raises quickly at the very bottom of the pedal action. I'm not worried as much abuout synchronization as I am describing the feel of the action I don't like on the sixth string. Any solutions?

Kinda feels like it's all the way down then goes a little further? Got the same thing...just got used to it now it feels normal...can't seem to trace it to any mechanical trouble but I'm certainly no expert.

On the bell crank, move the 6th string pull closer to the body of the guitar (or the 3rd string pull farther from the body). Hope this helps.. dave

I suspect you are using a plain sixth string; am I right? If so, try using a wound sixth, either a 20 or a 22 wound. It will require a longer pedal travel to reach pitch so it will more closely match the fairly long travel needed for the third string. It really is dramatically different.

James and William:
Assuming your guitar is an all-pull: Then it is like Dave mentioned.
I had that problem on my Dekley. What is happening is that your rod is moving too much. The only way you can tune it properly is to have that much extra play. Like Dave said, move the rod for the 6th string closer to the shaft, giving it less movement and allowing you to tune the nut in tighter, removing extra play. What Paul said would apply, too. Let us know if it works.

.............Pat

You were right. Hitch gone. Moved 6th closer to body on 2 hole puller. Hope it works for you too James. Thanks.

Paul Sutherland wrote:I suspect you are using a plain sixth string; am I right? If so, try using a wound sixth, either a 20 or a 22 wound. It will require a longer pedal travel to reach pitch so it will more closely match the fairly long travel needed for the third string. It really is dramatically different.

Hi James, Just to let you know, the LDG did have a wound 6th on it when I originally bought it. I replaced it with a plain 6th and adjusted the pedal stop.

Thank you everyone for the input; I'll try changing the rod on the bell crank. Is there a good reason to go back to a wound string?

Some people think the wound sounds better.
The wound one will exhibit less cabinet drop.

I remember reading somewhere that a wound 6th sounds better "on older guitars". My pull-release D10 had one on it when I bought it and I stayed with that when I restrung it. It has a dark sound that goes great with strings 8 & 10.

When I built my all-pull uni 12 I kept faith and put on a 22W - and it sounded rubbish. It was not a technical problem - there was plenty of travel available - but when I tried a 20P it sounded fine.

If you're expecting an explanation you'll be disappointed!

Thinking about it, the problem was not so much the difference in timing between stings 3&6 but pedals A & B.
I changed the rods in the bell cranks (went the wrong way the first time and got everything in a mess)and re-tuned. Also shortened the pull on one of the levers so knee doesn't have to travel so far. Then, adjusted the pedal rod so foot didn't have to roll so far to the outside. It's an entirely different guitar now.
Until now I have been playing someone else's guitar that I just happened to have bought, but now it's my very own. I have only had it and been playing for a month and a half, but this experience has put me light years ahead of where I was a few days ago. Thank you everyone for your input.