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Topic: HELP--- Steel Guitar Repair |
John Cook
From:
Sarasota, Florida, USA
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Posted 22 Dec 2008 7:56 am |
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I'm looking for someone who can fix my steel in Florida. I have a Derby D 10, 8x5. When I'm playing and I use my LKR, it's supposed to drop from E to D#. But it goes somewhere in between and doesn't return to E. Sounds realy bad. I don't have time to ship it anywhere to get fixed because I have gigs lined up. If anyone knows anyone who can help me I sure wouuld appreciate it. I don't mind driving if I have to. Thanks for reading this and have a nice holiday. jc
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 22 Dec 2008 8:24 am
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I have a friend in Largo that can probably fix it, if he's available. I'll e-mail him and refer him to this forum post.
Largo isn't far from you. |
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John Cook
From:
Sarasota, Florida, USA
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Posted 22 Dec 2008 9:24 am
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Thanks Jack that would be great. jc
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Larry Bell
From:
Englewood, Florida
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John Cook
From:
Sarasota, Florida, USA
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Posted 22 Dec 2008 2:40 pm
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Hi Larry,
I tightened the return spring but it feels like it gets tight and loosens right up. I think something might be stripped. We just had two gigs this weekend and Friday nite it started acting up and by Sunday it was much worse. This instrument is hard enough without having to worry about it staying in tune. Hope your doing good with your new band. Have a nice holiday and a happy New Year. jc
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Bill Dobkins
From:
Rolla Missouri, USA
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Posted 22 Dec 2008 3:06 pm
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John, it sounds like your changer is seizing up. They are bad about building up gunk and won't return back. Try pulling on the string and see if it comes back. I would try a good cleaning and oiling before I would start changing parts.
Also you could swap a return spring if that one is stripped. I've had the same problem with my Derby.
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Bobby Boggs
From:
Upstate SC.
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Posted 22 Dec 2008 8:38 pm
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John, since you're not all that far from Larry Bell. If he has the time? I bet he can fix you up. If you'll put me up for a week? I know I can drive down and fix it.  My Best....bb |
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Craig A Davidson
From:
Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin USA
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Posted 22 Dec 2008 9:10 pm
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| If all else fails and it is your 4th string, use your second string like LLoyd would instead. |
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Don Brown, Sr.
From:
New Jersey
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Posted 22 Dec 2008 10:02 pm
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John, Make sure all of the rods have some free play at the Nylons, when no pedals or knees are activated.
If you find out you don't have free play at the end plate, it will do that. Check and let us know.
If my mind serves me right, there aren't any pedal stops on a DERBY. I think they're built into the changer system.
Also, make sure there are no string ends caught up in the changer.
I'm not one for jumping into tightening return springs, for a temporary fix, when it's usually a sign that something is binding in the return system for them to need tightening, unless you've went to a heavier gauge string. However, that's the first thing that most do, while it's the last thing that should be done, and then, only after finding that everything else IS working properly.
Note! "Good Quality Springs" simply do not, lose tention for years and years on end. It's therefore if you have to tighten them up to make something work now, that last week or last month worked, then something else is wrong. But yes! Put it tight enough and regardless, it'll sure pull something back. 
Don |
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Larry Bell
From:
Englewood, Florida
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Posted 23 Dec 2008 7:54 am
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John
I tried sending you EMail
Call me
441-7770
And, Don, as I said b4, I have seen this guitar -- it is NOT all gunked up or binding as far as I could tell on quick inspection. It looks practically new. It just needed a bit more return to get the E back to pitch. It works fine but seems to slip off the adjustment screw when it's tightened.
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My CD's: 'I've Got Friends in COLD Places' - 'Pedal Steel Guitar'
2021 Rittenberry S/D-12 8x7, 1976 Emmons S/D-12 7x6, 1969 Emmons S/D-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Quilter ToneBlock 202 TT-12 |
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Don Brown, Sr.
From:
New Jersey
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Posted 24 Dec 2008 12:48 am
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Hi Larry,
Do you know how long he's had the steel? Meaning, is he familiar with exactly how much different a DERBY is to set up as compared to other brands?
John Bechtel, is the man who definitely knows DERBY inside and out. The small amount of knowledge on them that I know, I must say, came from what John had posted in helping Bo out with a problem in getting a nylon, from sticking too far out of the endplate.
However, if DERBY has adjustable spring tension, then it's quite possible that an adjuster screw's threads may be stripped??? But I can't really say that, since I have no idea how they are set up on a DERBY. But if something tightens and then he feels it slip back, it would sound to me like threads have possibly been stripped.
Could you pull the finger back by hand when you were there? Don |
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John Cook
From:
Sarasota, Florida, USA
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Posted 24 Dec 2008 6:50 am
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Well, Everything is back to normal. I would like to thank everyone for their input in helping me resolve this matter. Just goes to show you what a great place this forum is. I would also like to extend a special thanks to Larry Bell whose help and guidance was instrumental(sorry) in fixing the problem. OK you can close this one up. thank you jc
PS: I got plenty of room Bobby.
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