The Steel Guitar Forum

Greetings everyone:
Would appreciate some points of view on re-stringing a Stage One all pull guitar. I've done this process at least 6 or 8 times since I've had it.
I'm thinking that I'm missing something in the process. I think Doug Ernest sent me a guide to it, but for some reason it has disappeared off of the earth. I'm wanting another diagnoses on this procedure. My main question is when you remove the strings do you have to "wind out" the pedal and lever rods and tune it basically ground up. The knee levers are the culprits in this situation. I love learning about the mechanics of this guitar but I believe It's time to get some guidance from the professionals on this great forum. Thanks in advance for the help and guidance.

Tom Rhodes
Jackson, MO.

Hello Tom,

Far from a professional, but just change the strings and leave everything else alone. Make sure you use the correct strings and it should come back to being real close. (I actually use a .012 instead of .0115 for #3)

I usually buy them on the Forum Store under 'Accessories' above, but they seem to be out of the 'Stage One' specific sets. Here is a picture with the correct gauges and make sure to use the wound 6th string (.022w).

As stated, make sure you are using the same gauge string and only tuning at the key head. It should require little if any adjustments at the nylon tuners.

The single most common mistake -- and it is a major error -- is replacing a wound 6th string with an unwound one and vice versa. Make sure of which you've got before removing the strings and before buying new strings.
As said above, you should not need to retune the pedals or levers although I consider tweaking them to be a normal part of playing steel.

Tom, the instructions and advice I have sent you a few times are about as professional as you are going to get from anyone. I'll send them to your email again. Please print them.

It would be very beneficial for you to bring your guitar over to Branson for an in person tutorial lesson which I am happy to provide free of charge, along with a thorough inspection of your guitar.

I would also say that one of the best things to do is to get all the stretch out of a new set of strings before trying to get the pedals and levers exactly in tune. Otherwise you are going in a circle.