ZB Tuning Screw Problem

Steve Broatch · From: Newcastle, England

Hi,

I'm having more ZB fun.

A few days ago I was practicing when I suddenly started having tuning issues on string 5. At first I thought the string might just need replacing but....

When I use my C pedal the 5th string doesn't return to its former pitch when I release the pedal. It's about a quarter of a tone sharper than it should be. If I then use the A pedal which also uses this same raise on string 5 the pitch returns to normal as it should.

Looking at the raise tuning screw for string 5 at the endplate while I'm doing this - the tuning screw isn't returning as far out as it should when using the C pedal. Yet the sane tuning screw is behaving itself with the A pedal. I've tried adjusting the C pedal rod lengths on the underside of the guitar but nothing seems to work.

Has anyone any ideas why this could be happening?

Thanks,

Steve

richard burton · From: Britain

Sounds like somethings not loose enough in the C pedal mechanism, or the pull rod is snagging on something.
If you activate the C pedal, then release it, can you grab hold of the 5th tuning screw and manually pull it back? If so, you might be able to see what is causing the snagging.

Joe A. Camacho · Posted 8 Nov 2008 9:27 am

I had the same problem, I got this wisdom from Greg Jones:

"Is the 5th string returning sharp when the C pedal is used?? Is the A pedal still working smoothly or has it stiffened up a bit??

Have you changed string guages?? This will definetly cause a problem.

The nut roller could be hanging up a bit too. With the string loose, put a drop of oil on it and lube it up good and make sure its not dragging.

Also, on strings 4,5,6,and 8, I wind the string "up" the post to get the straightest pull across the nut roller as possible.

Check the locknuts at the turnbuckle on the pull rods. If they are loose, then the rod is out of adjustment.

I cant remember your set-up, but if you dont have a lower on the 5th string, make sure that the endplate tuner is NOT tight against the endplate. If it is, it puts the changer finger in a bind and will give you all sorts of tuning trouble. This goes for all strings.

Also, if you have broken any 5th strings and did not recover the ball end, it could be stuck in the changer finger. Seen this happen too, including my guitars."

Steve Broatch · From: Newcastle, England

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

Joe - I haven't changed strings at all recently. I have no lower on the 5th and the endplate tuner is not tight against the endplate. I will try oiling the roller though. It can't hurt.

Richard - I think you're right about the snagging. I can push the 5th tuning screw back in. It actually seems to be a problem with string 10. When I activate the C pedal the tenth tuning screw is pushed out a little and doesn't come back in when the C pedal is released.

I can't see anything snagging underneath. I've tried pulling everything out of the the way underneath while someone plays on the strings and pedals on top.

I don't have anything on the C pedal directly effecting string 10 but obviously the 5 and 10 raise on the A pedal pass over the C pedal bracket. The weird thing is the A pedal which does raise both 5 and 10 is not effected at all.

I'll keep looking. Thanks again.

Richard Sinkler · From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

Look at where the hook on the rod goes in to the key hole slot on the changer finger and see if the rod fully relaxes when you let off the C pedal. It sounds as though that rod is hitting something to stop it from returning all the way. The roller nut, if hanging up, would also affect the A pedal.

Steve Broatch · From: Newcastle, England

I seem to have fixed it.

Despite looking at and adjusting the rods in situ, I couldn't see anything that was causing the rods to snag. I ended up taking the rods for 4, 5 and 10 off and reattaching them. I think 10 was the culprit in the end. I hooked it back up in a slightly different way - going under another rod (6 on the b pedal) instead of over like it was originally. I've been playing for half an hour and it seems to have done the trick.

Thanks so much for all your help as always.

Be sure to tune in next time for another exciting installment! Very Happy

Joe A. Camacho · Posted 9 Nov 2008 3:17 pm

Son of a gun, my guitar is having sympathy pains for your guitar and is now doing the same thing on the C pedal, after the string goes up to C# it will only come back to C. The A pedal returns the string to B.

Steve Broatch · From: Newcastle, England

You have my sympathy Joe. I have a really bad back now for my troubles after a weekend of endlessly turning the guitar (a D-10) upside down and into its case, and then taking it back out again.

Hope you get it resolved.

Joe A. Camacho · Posted 10 Nov 2008 3:26 pm

Yeah, I've got a funny feeling that me and that guitar are gonna take a little drive to see Jim Palenscar this weekend...

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