The Steel Guitar Forum

Put together my friend old sho bud Maverick. Gave it much TLC. After Tuning, I noticed the my high B when pedal down to C# reduces in volume drastically on the 4th fret only, and only on that string.

Strange??

Any thoughts got a gig in a few hours.

I would start out by putting on a different string.

Erv,

Good thought, I put together a set from a NOS collection of strings.

Still got the dead note came across another up passed the 12th on D#.

hmmm. Bridge issue ??

I had a similar issue, which went away when I replaced the first position 12AX7 in my Vibro Champ. Are you running through a tube amp?

Does the problem persist acoustically, without amp?

curious, how does an amp or pickup know what note is being played ?

Sounds like a string, bridge, playing technique or bar technique.

Been playing through a Roland Jazz chorus. (solid state)

Pickup is George L 66

Lane, Not acoustically as far as I can notice.

Bar technique: 1st normal hand form then.. tried both spots with the nose of the bar, and with no fingers behind the bar, still the same response, same with right hand on and off the strings.

Noticed if I move slightly up on the string it will increase volume back to normal -like turning a vol. knob.

So..
I experimented de-tuned both strings, then brought them back up to pitch to see it strings would settle in there spot. (for the sake of it)
Same result. Then tried tuning down a 1/2 and then.. full step...same deal. On both strings
No luck

High B pedal up: rings out - down: dead.
D# string passed the 12th dead (push the bar up a little rings out.

I changed the strings cause the guitar was dirty covered in a film of bar smoke and ash tray smell, the body was more tan then blonde. The strings were oxidized to the point of rusty razor blades, and the fretboard was almost off. I threw a set of NOS single strings I had a collection of (look bran new).
I did like a GHS heavy custom set. Except the 22p is a 20p on the low G#, due to that the nut roller will not accommodate a 22p. Get the ol' pop off. On the old sho.

Ideally i'd like to return it back to my friend way better then before, My personal steel will ready for playing tomorrow. So i'm not really under pressure here.

Instead of tuning the string to B, tune it to C or C# and see if you have the same issue when you push the pedal.

Have you tried loosening the string and rotating the roller nut a quarter turn? May be a flat spot in the roller..If there is no roller nut on the key head, try a small amount of lube in the string slot.

Finally Solved!

Here's the rundown.

Still playing through a Roland Jazz Chorus 50A

I had the similar problem with my Artist S-10 on the high B and E strings. (after a pickup install)
E open would ring really weak. B with pedal down would drop out even more.

Later..I went back to the Artist S-10, after turning the roller nut, and lubing it. Still no luck.
Then I replaced the 2 strings twice. Still the same result.

I read a old SGF thread that talked about similar issues, the suggestion considered the finger bridge might have worn a groove in the topside where the string rests. Causing the string to inhibit vibration and ring weak.
So I inspected the B and E fingers. They showed signs of groove wear. I decided to head to the hardware store and get 1500 grit sandpaper buff out the grooves. Worked like a charm! Re-strung the B & E and I was let down again. at this point i'm totally at a loss...

Last ditch...
I switched amps to the 63 Princeston.
and..Wallah no issues with any string.
So I thought I would plug back in to the Roland, back to the problem again. Turned some knobs and flicked a 3 position switch that turns the amp from chorus to vibrato (center) is clean. Kept at this while hitting the open high E string, suddenly SUCCESS!

For you Jazz Chorus AMP players..

So I surmise..
That the FX switch was intermittently between positions (Dust or dirt) causing a frequency breakup short when certain notes rang through the amp.
Disguising itself as a string/guitar, roller/nut or, finger/bridge issue
This could happen to any of those models that have a 3 position switch I would bet.

I shore do like FREE fixes. And as they say:
"A problem sheard is a problem sloved!"
No indication what to do about lemborps, though... They're lipporing up on me reft and light...