The Steel Guitar Forum

I am playing a Mullen RP sd-10.

I have had a problem develop and am not sure how to approach it.

String 8 - E

RKR - lowers to D ok, returns back in tune
RKL - raises to F. When released, the string does not come back down to an E. Ends up a very sharp E.

When I lower back to D, comes back to E upon release.

Being new to the instrument, I'm not sure where to start,

Thanks in advance for the help.

The string 8 lower should be to D#, not D. Retuning that lever might solve your problem.

Sorry, yes, it lowers to d#

It may just be overtuned, and many such problems can be diagnosed by just looking at what's going on. With the guitar in the case, operate the raise and lower levers in question and watch what's going on at the fingers very closely! Make sure that each finger returns firmly up against the stop-bar when no pedals or levers are activated. If they don't it's usually one of 3 problems:

1. It's overtuned
2. The return spring is too loose
3. The fingers (or other areas) need lubrication

Additionally, if the problem just became evident when you changed strings, it's possible that a string is the wrong gauge.

Thanks for the response and help, Donny. Can you help me understand 'over tuned'? Does that mean the nylon hexnuts are too tight? Do I back them off and start over again?

Sorry for the ignorance.

Read this sticky thread about overtuning - https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=326460

Dave Mudgett wrote:Read this sticky thread about overtuning - https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=326460

Thanks you so much. This is what I needed.

One simple consideration...Back the nylons off of the affected lever/s so there is slack in the rods at rest, and start over over just one pull at at time, this way you will eliminate if the nylons are over tuned.

I think it was as simple as a bit of oil.

Is there a good source with pics to show what should be oiled?