Emmons P/P pedal not holding pitch

Ian S. Cameron · Post by **Ian S. Cameron** » 10 Oct 2022 7:56 pm

I'm wondering if anyone has any insight...

I have a 1974/75 Emmons d10 push pull. I tune the "b" pedal on string 6, let off the pedal, try it again & it's instantly out of tune. Not by a lot, but enough to be noticeable.

I tune using the stroboplus, and also cross reference against ear tuning (tune a perfect 5th between the e's and the a's). I always tune the "b" pedal with the "a" pedal depressed as well.

Thanks in advance,

Ian

Ian Worley · Post by **Ian Worley** » 10 Oct 2022 8:40 pm

Lots of possibilities. Presumably the open string is in tune when you tune the raise and release the pedal correct? When you re-engage it is the raised pitch now sharp or flat? Do you also have a lower on 6? Is there a shock spring on the B pedal raise? Wound or plain string? How old is the string?

Henry Matthews · Post by **Henry Matthews** » 10 Oct 2022 10:54 pm

Sounds to me it’s not being pulled all way to body stop. Make sure when pedal is depressed, it’s going all way to stop and returning all way to end screw.

Jon Light · Post by **Jon Light** » 11 Oct 2022 1:48 am

Sparse enough info here that another dozen people can throw ideas at you. Here's mine -- make sure that the bellcrank is tight on the shaft. Not really consistent with what you describe but it's an issue that has plagued me more than once.

Dave Campbell · Post by **Dave Campbell** » 12 Oct 2022 2:32 pm

i've had this issue in the past and have it again right now.

i fixed it before but i can't remember how. i think i just loosened the collar and reset it. i have a compression spring on that raise.

mine stays in tube for a bit, but the tuning with b pedal down will slip flat. the open string is staying in tune.

in my case, i think i would change the strings, as i suspect that the 6th string (plain) gets tired faster.

i also wonder if the hex raise screw is rotating, necessitating some retuning.

Abe Levy · Post by **Abe Levy** » 12 Oct 2022 3:26 pm

I would loosen all the collars on that pull, tune the changer with your hand. Then reset the collars. If it’s not set up correctly you’re always going to have troubles. As Henry pointed out, it’s got to hit a solid stop and the screw as well. The only way you can really be sure is to set the finger by hand (as opposed to using the pedal or lever.

Abe Levy · Post by **Abe Levy** » 12 Oct 2022 4:12 pm

Double post deleted.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 13 Oct 2022 1:23 pm

I tune* the "b" pedal on string 6...

Way out of my area of expertise, but are you tuning* with the tuning key on the key-head, or the hex screw at the endplate?