Iron Out The Kinks

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

The steel guitars are a lot like people, excepting the fact that the instruments cannot recognize problems within its working parts. People generally know when their pitches and general health are below par. The majority will consult a physician for answers. Recognizing that problems do exist, and adjustments are another matter, while playing the steel guitar, and should be considered.(IMO) If you took your steel to a specialist in some anatomical research, his advice would be useless. What is needed, is a keen observation by the owner of the instrument, to move in on some minor adjustments, that will improve the playability of the steel guitar. I spent a few days studying leverages at the pedals, and have found that the efforts made to improve their actions, resulted in satisfactory changes in their mechanical movements. Are there any chatters on this forum who can relate to small changes that pay big dividends? Smile

Jim Phelps · From: Mexico City, Mexico

Gosh, I think I might actually understand and be able to contribute something to this one! Very Happy

(OK I admit it, at first I thought Bill had something against the band "The Kinks".... Razz

)

I've been tearing my old MSA apart and trying different copedents for the last few years, after playing more-or-less typical E9 and C6 setups for about 35 years.

I've finally settled on one I like and think I'll keep... but along the way I noticed that some pedals really required more pressure than I think is right. Moving the pedal's rod ball joint connector closer to the pedal's shaft would give the pedal more travel and therefore better leverage and less required pressure, but I've run up against conflicting information about this. Although the actual MSA Owners Manual says you can do this for that purpose, the ball joint fittings are too long to screw all the way in the holes closest to the pedal's shaft, and without being all the way in the pulling of the rods will bend the fitting until it breaks. I've seen this mentioned in the forum.

Then I came across a forum post (naturally) that advised keeping the bellcranks at perfect right-angles to the rods, not at an angle like you often see them. He poster said that although this may seem wrong or unimportant, it does make a big difference. I tried it, and he knew what he was talking about!

I wanted to find that post so I could give credit to that poster but haven't found it again... maybe if someone knows who it was they can jump in. I really am grateful to him for that piece of information. Now all my pedals work smooth and easily. It really does make a difference.

Jim Phelps · From: Mexico City, Mexico

whoops, doubled

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Jim,

From what I gather, you've made a number of important discoveries on your own. Stop and consider how developed watch makers have become. I would imagine that leverage maintains perfect timing, more than other components in the spring loaded watch. The incredible tiny batteries will, through the aid of leverages, last for months at a time. The need for the steel guitar to come under scrutiny is well known among players. Most steel guitar strings can be become a subject of interest, once pitch discrepancies warrant futher study. Checking the pounds pressure required on various pedals to make pitch changes, and making comparisons to other steel guitars, would be essential in making serious rulings. Beginning with the pedals is a "step" in the right direction. Another combination of shortcomings found in short supply in the average steel, is the lack of reduced friction within the pedals and knee levers train. Idea

Lee Baucum · From: McAllen, Texas (Extreme South) The Final Frontier

Bo Legg · Posted 3 Aug 2008 7:04 pm

More leverage and less friction. That’s what we all want.

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Lee,

Lately, my fingers itch to play since improvements on my steel at the pedal rack, have enhanced the accuracy of pedal action. I mean to question the current ABC pedal arrangement of the E9th neck assemblies. Particularly the (C) pedal in its bold positioning. Where is the logic, that has eluded me entirely for many years, for its positioning at the pedal rack. If the 8th string is not pulled up as is the 4th string (full tone), when depressing the (C) pedal, much is lost through avoiding that sour note. I favor the Nashville sound over Texas swing, due to favoring songs from the heart, that seem to be a cut above all music; past and present. To triumph over the vast majority of impositions, such as orientations of questionable entertainment, has always been my goal. To keep such commitments, it becomes necessary to maintain a steel guitar that does not detune for weeks and longer. One that produces accurate pitches in every pedal and knee lever change. I examined the changers of various changer assemblies, and learned that is indeed, for my money, the place to look for quality workmanship. There are many players who are combining their skills by adding changes at the knees. I'm set on keeping the (C) pedal at the knee.

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Sorry.. double entry..

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Bo Legg

When I return to my home town to visit, It makes me feel like bewhiskered Rip Van Winkle after his 20 year nap. Babies that were just born in the last year that I resided there are now over 30 years old. In keeping with a pattern of eating healthy foods, it becomes a problem away from home. There are no guarantees of consuming satisfactorily prepared foods at random eateries. All of this, coupled with paltry responses, here on this forum, of tried and true suggestions, of managing string breakages, overcoming the prayer stance seen in a master's performance, thumb pick invasion, for better tone and expression etc., has netted a new outlook for me. Rather than curtailing my thoughts, by turning to some form of radical thinking, that may suggest the shut up and listen version of a one way conversation, I'll decline to be a party to such behaviorism. Drawing on a musical background balances out the brunt of dissatisfaction.

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