Sho-Bud Pro-1 5th string tuning problem

[Daniel Murray]

I am having a problem with my 5th string not returning to pitch after slowly rocking off the A pedal. I am still new to pedal steel and am looking for some advice/tips from more experienced members. I have searched the forum and while this topic seems to have been covered before,
I am having trouble decerning what information applies to my specific situation. Here is what I have observed so far:
-This problem is only effecting the 5th string. The 10th string returns to pitch.
-The more gradually I release the A pedal the sharper the 5th string B is. If I press the A pedal and release it quickly it returns to the pitch I tuned it to.
-If I push the A pedal up some after the problem has occurred the 5th string returns to the tuned pitch.

One thing I read on the forum is that the A pedal could be sticking or gummed up. I removed the pedal rod and the pedal moves very easily so I don't think this is the problem.
I found this guitar on craigslist and I think it had been neglected for a while. Some of the mechanical parts seem pretty dirty. I have lubed it with 3 in 1 oil but maybe it's time to try to disassemble and do a deep clean?
Any advice that people could offer would be greatly appreciated. I will attach photos for reference
Thanks!

[Bobby D. Jones]

The next thing to check, The Nut Roller on the 5th string. If it is not turning freely, Or if the string is wound on the key Cap Span Shaft, Making a bend in the string at the nut roller. Causing side pressure and drag on the roller could be causing the problem.

With the welds on the Changer End Plate, The guitar may have suffered a bad fall, Or been in a vehicle accident with a hard impact, That broke the end plate. There could be unseen damage in the Changer causing the problem.

Good Luck finding the problem and cure. Happy Steelin.

[Daniel Murray]

Thanks for the response Bobby! I just checked the roller nut and it spins freely. Not sure what the Cap Span Shaft is but the string seems to make a straight line from the roller nut to the tuner. The guitar has definitely seen better days but I got it in late October last year and have been playing it pretty regularly sense then and haven't noticed this tuning problem until a couple days ago. So I don't think it is related to the previous damage to the end plate.

Also as a general update to my situation for anyone that is willing to offer advice; I read somewhere on the forum of someone having a similar problem and one thing that was brought up was removing the raise spring. As an experiment I disconnected the raise spring and did some playing on the guitar and this fixed the tuning problem. I reconnected the spring and the problem was back. I also noticed that this made the A pedal a bit harder to push so I am hoping this is not a permanent solution. This leads me to believe the solution is probably to shorten the return spring. Does this sound right? If so can someone explain the process and the tools needed for shortening the spring?

[/quote]

[Kevin Hatton]

Do not use 3&1 oil. It will gum up over time. Use Tri-Flow.

[Bobby D. Jones]

Cap Span is a Naval/Mariner term for the shaft the string winds on.
I have never worked on a guitar with raise assist springs, But there is some posts here on the forum, About them causing problems with returns.

Good Luck curing this problem.

[W. C. Edgar]

I have a Pro 1 & Pro 2
I just noticed someone on Ebay selling NOS Pro 1 endplates too
Not too expensive
You could have something binding underneath or one of the 5/15 shafts not exactly in the L brackets completely straight too.
Don't assume the worst
Also if you take it apart I re-assemble my stuff with Lucas 'Cam assembly grease'.