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Post new topic Help with springs on a Keyless Lamar Pedal Steel
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Author Topic:  Help with springs on a Keyless Lamar Pedal Steel
David Friedlander

 

From:
New York, New York, USA
Post  Posted 3 Sep 2012 10:04 am    
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HI PSG'ers
I have a Lamar S-10 Keyless that I have not used for quite a while.
I recently strung her up and tried tuning but something weird happens with the pedals.
Pressing the B pedal, the G# heads up towards A- but slowly, and never gets there.
I realized this is not a pedal tuning issue, so I called Lamar.
He mentioned I'd need to adjust the springs, but I never got the time with Lamar on the phone to have him explain the adjustment.
Maybe one of you guys knows?
Here's the bottom of the Ax by the springs


On a separate issue- has anyone heard from Lamar?- I'm hoping he's ok.
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Hans Holzherr


From:
Münchenbuchsee, Switzerland
Post  Posted 3 Sep 2012 11:07 am    
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On pressing pedal B, check if the lower finger (to which the return spring is attached) moves away from its rest. If it does, tighten the spring while keeping the pedal pressed until the lower finger moves back.
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Russ Wever

 

From:
Kansas City
Post  Posted 3 Sep 2012 11:32 am    
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Quote:
On pressing pedal B, . . .


And when ya press pedal B, move it very slowly.
If the return springs is 'borderline', it will show up
moreso when the pedal is moved slowly rather
than quickly.
~Russ
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www.russguru
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David Friedlander

 

From:
New York, New York, USA
Post  Posted 3 Sep 2012 11:36 am    
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Thanks guys!
So, I want to tighten the spring to prevent any movement of the fingers when I press any pedal?
I feel my a pedal is squishy like that as well n my low B
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David Friedlander

 

From:
New York, New York, USA
Post  Posted 3 Sep 2012 1:26 pm    
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I've tightened as much as possible- it's still happening.
Will I need to replace the spring?
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Earnest Bovine


From:
Los Angeles CA USA
Post  Posted 3 Sep 2012 2:21 pm    
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David Friedlander wrote:
I've tightened as much as possible- it's still happening.
Will I need to replace the spring?

Hold the lower bar in place with your hand or a tool, to simulate a stronger spring. When you mash the pedal, does the pitch raise all the way up to A as it should?
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David Friedlander

 

From:
New York, New York, USA
Post  Posted 3 Sep 2012 2:43 pm    
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It goes up ok- but the release is slow. IOW it takes a while to go back to G# from A
my lower G# is acting fine......
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Earnest Bovine


From:
Los Angeles CA USA
Post  Posted 3 Sep 2012 4:11 pm    
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David Friedlander wrote:
It goes up ok- but the release is slow. IOW it takes a while to go back to G# from A
my lower G# is acting fine......

That's weird. Maybe something is stuck in there, such as the broken end of a string, or just some schmutz.
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David Friedlander

 

From:
New York, New York, USA
Post  Posted 3 Sep 2012 4:20 pm    
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Could be that I have not lubricated this amazing machine....ever.
Lamar built it over 10 years ago for sure
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Joe Naylor


From:
Avondale, Arizona, USA
Post  Posted 3 Sep 2012 7:38 pm    
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Tri-lube and work each and every lever and pedal - not a lot in the beginning - then after moving everyting possible a little tri-lube again - it is bicycle chain lub but you can get it at WalMart, Target, plus bicycle shops. Spray can with a little hose.

But keep moving it work it and work it more
_________________
Joe Naylor, Avondale, AZ (Phoenix) Announcer/Emcee owner www.steelseat.com *** OFFERING SEATS AND Effects cases with or without legs and other stuff ****** -Desert Rose Guitar S-10, Life Member of the Arizona Carport Pickers Assoc., Southwest Steel Guitar Assoc., Texas Steel Guitar Assoc., GA Steel Guitar Assoc., KS Steel Guitar Assoc. (Asleep at the Steel) tag line willed to me by a close late friend RIP
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David Friedlander

 

From:
New York, New York, USA
Post  Posted 4 Sep 2012 2:35 pm    
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Finally got Lamar on the phone.....
He explained how to remove the spring, and re-tension it.
he said lubing it can't hurt- but that the source was lack of spring tension....
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Mike Wheeler


From:
Delaware, Ohio, USA
Post  Posted 5 Sep 2012 8:46 am    
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No offense intended, but Joe was referring to Tri-Flow...the best lube for a steel guitar. IMHO

I would advise trying the lube first, before making mechanical adjustments.
_________________
Best regards,
Mike
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David Friedlander

 

From:
New York, New York, USA
Post  Posted 5 Sep 2012 8:54 am    
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No offense taken at all! In fact, I'm grateful for the help.
I've been simply trying to play it into submission. And it was gotten better.
The fix involves removing the spring, which may require me to reassemble the finger.
So, yes, I will try Tri-Flow first
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HowardR


From:
N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville
Post  Posted 6 Sep 2012 8:48 am    
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Hey David.......I remember when you bought that guitar at the PSGA show........are you still with Gent Treadly?

Lamar was at the 2011 show.....and did some tweaking on the S7 keyless that he built for me......
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David Friedlander

 

From:
New York, New York, USA
Post  Posted 6 Sep 2012 10:06 am    
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Hi Howard- that was a great show and an exciting day for me.
I love my Lamar- a lot.

Gent tradly, YES
This was last Saturday night
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxPispHuxZ4
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