Help! I'm chasing my own tail here.

Jason Schofield · Post by **Jason Schofield** » 4 Jan 2006 7:59 pm

I put a new 10th string on and now I can't get it to stay in tune to save my life. If I hit the A ped and tune it, it comes back fine but when I hit the V lever and tune it, it comes back flat. I have a compensator on there but I don't really know how to use it. Is there a way to reset the pulls and compensator and start fresh. Thanks, I'm going crazy over here. Jason Schofield - Franklin S-10

I have a few pics of my steel here. http://www.wideopenwest.com/~dive25/pedal_steel.htm [This message was edited by Jason Schofield on 04 January 2006 at 08:36 PM.]

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 4 Jan 2006 8:20 pm

More info might be helpful. Like make of guitar and what the comp. does.
Assuming you have the string stretched out good, here are some things to check:
Make sure the ball end of the string is all the way up on the pin or in the slot depending on what changer you have:

Make sure the ball end from a broken string has not found a home in the changer:

Strings of a different gauge or alloy [nickel v. stainless] from the original might require travel adjustments.

Your problem sounds like the lower return spring needs more tension, but I'd check the other things first.

Don't panic....the guys here have lots of expertise with these type problems.

[This message was edited by Jerry Overstreet on 04 January 2006 at 08:34 PM.]

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 4 Jan 2006 8:52 pm

Jason, I see you have edited your post to include make and pics. Nice axe! I'm not very familiar with Franklin guitars, but many of the guys here are.
I don't know what the compensator rod does on the 10th string there. [That is the 2nd. nylon tuner down from the top, the different colored one]. You can tell usually tell by operating the pedals and levers while watching it's movement at the endplate. You can keep a record of it's present position and loosen it up a quarter turn or so and see if that makes any difference, if not put it back where it was.

The return spring is the phillips screw head at the bottom. You can tighten it just a quarter turn or so and see if that helps. You can put it back if you keep track of your adj.

I'm sure some of the Franklin guys will check in soon. Of course you can call Mr. Franklin for answers.
Keep us posted!
Edit. I checked your profile and see you have had a few other issues and that your are a relative newbie. Apologies if some of these comments seem elementary to you.
I'm assuming that you are tuning the open note with the tuning peg, the raise note with the top nylon tuner, the lower with the bottom nylon tuner. The black tuner might be a half stop tuner if you lower the 10th to Bb/A. [This message was edited by Jerry Overstreet on 04 January 2006 at 09:25 PM.]

Willie Crisel · Post by **Willie Crisel** » 4 Jan 2006 9:28 pm

Heaven knows i'm no expert, but if you have a comp, to slow it down so it doesn't come back sharp,,i would back off the nylon on the comp rod,, just a thought,,

------------------
MId seventies Push Pull D10 8 and 4, Peavey LTD Peavey Session 400 Ibanez analog delay

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 4 Jan 2006 9:36 pm

Check to see if there is any slack in the pull rod under the steel. If you can't wiggle it back and forth a bit that is your problem.

------------------
Bob
My Website

Jason Schofield · Post by **Jason Schofield** » 4 Jan 2006 9:49 pm

The bottom rod has tons of slack but the top rod (a ped) is tight as a drum.

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 4 Jan 2006 10:16 pm

One thing to try to see if the steel is "overtuned" is to check if the open string tuning changes when you turn the nylon tuner thingy for the A pedal on the endplate. If its tight it needs to be loosened up anyway.

The most basic way to do that is to loosen the nylon hex rod on that string all the way so it doesn't do anything.(you can just about take it off)Then tune the open string to B. Then tighten the nylon fella till the A pedal pulls the string to C# when its engaged.

If that doesn't give you enough slack on that rod we will need to try plan B which involves even more of my complex technomological terminology.

------------------
Bob
My Website

Jason Schofield · Post by **Jason Schofield** » 4 Jan 2006 11:06 pm

well I loosened it all the way off and retuned the open string. by the time I get it up to C# with the A ped it's all the way tight again. I'm going crazy over here. It's now going sharp then flat.. I can't get anything straight. ugghhh!

Jason Schofield · Post by **Jason Schofield** » 4 Jan 2006 11:55 pm

I cleaned up the changer and lubed it and now everything seems to be o.k. It seemed to be returning slower than the others. The upper rod even has a little play in it. I don't really know what I did. I'll just keep my fingers crossed. I swear I spend more time "under the hood" on this thing than I do practicing. Guess you gotta learn though.

Bobby Boggs · Post by **Bobby Boggs** » 5 Jan 2006 12:16 am

Jason, 1st be sure you used the correct gauge string. Either a 36 or 38.If you have the correct string? Tune it open. Tune the A pedal. If it will not tune to C#? Back off the 10th string lower and 10th string compensator. If it still want pull to pitch. Tighten the spring.Do this with a screw driver. The screw is located on the end plate just below your 10th string lower rod and compenator rod.

If you've used the correct gauge string, and theres nothing hung in the changer.That should do it. If not. You'll need to move the pull rod up 'further from the cross=bar" one notch in rod puller.

To do this.Pull forward on the rod till it comes out of the rod-puller slot. Place it one notch higher.And push or pull back on it to seat it in the rod puller.Then adjust or tune the nylon tuner.

This last step should not have to be done.So double check everything else before raising the pull rod 1 notch in the rod puller.

NOTE: Franklin calls them rod pullers.Most call them bellcranks.

[This message was edited by Bobby Boggs on 05 January 2006 at 12:23 AM.]

Bobby Boggs · Post by **Bobby Boggs** » 5 Jan 2006 12:21 am

Now you tell me.

Just tightn the return spring for string 10 there on the changer side end-plate. If you over tighten it.It will cause your 10th string lower to be tighter than it has to be........bb

Jason Schofield · Post by **Jason Schofield** » 5 Jan 2006 12:34 am

Great info Bobby, just what I was looking for. Now back to Red River Valley. Finally! Until the next "big" problem.... peace!

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 5 Jan 2006 6:30 am

Keep at it. IMO spending time under the hood is a great way to learn the instrument.
You find so many little things on the way to trying to get one note right.

Drew Howard · Post by **Drew Howard** » 5 Jan 2006 6:47 am

Hey Jason,

I think it's great you're fulfilling a wish of your step-dad's. As you can see, lots of help is available here at the forum.

good luck,
Drew

------------------

Drew Howard - website - Fessenden guitars, 70's Fender Twin, etc.