The Steel Guitar Forum

Bought a Mullen with split screws.
Need the procedure for split tuning B to C# to get C intune. It is sharp. I got the 6th string to work, but need help for the 5th string split. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

Assuming you're lowering the B string only the normal half step to A#: Tune the C# raise as per normal. Tune the split C note with the nylon tuner on the rod that lowers B>A#. Tune the A# (the lowest note) with the split screw in the tailpiece.

Make sure nothing is over-tuned or you'll be chasing your tail, and note that tuning with a split screw is very sensitive, a tiny amount of rotation makes a big difference in tuning. The split screw should be a Nylok type, or have some loctite or a spring to maintain a consistent position.

Ian Worley wrote:.....tuning with a split screw is very sensitive, a tiny amount of rotation makes a big difference in tuning. The split screw should be a Nylok type, or have some loctite or a spring to maintain a consistent position.

"Very sensitive" is almost an understatement. The leverage of that screw location is....not optimal. And yes, I always use this Vibra-Tite VC-3 now.





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Thanks guys!

Ian, very helpful, thanks for the clear explanation.

Q: if you also have the Franklin pedal and lower string 5 from B to A, then string 5's split screw would be the tuning stop for that change, and the B to Bb would have to be trued with a raise rod to overcome the overlowering created when lowering the C# note to C with the vertical, correct?

Does anyone know of a way to get split tuned notes without that extra pull rod for truing overlowered notes you have in split combos? TIA.