| Author |
Topic: Sho Bud Fingertip mechanical tweeks? |
Adam Beck
From:
Pennsylvania, USA
|
Posted 26 Jun 2014 9:55 am |
|
 Hello all! I am veteran guitar player new to the pedal steel guitar world. I recently purchased a ( believed to be ) '66 Sho Bud Fingertip from a kind old lady. It had one owner since it was bought. Her late husband. I new them as a kid. Was good friends with there son..Anyway, what a find!..With the exception of a little closet funk from all the years in its case it is in great condition!. Nothing a little polish and lube cant help.
This brings me to my question..After 30 hours of playing it and polishing and getting to know the mechanics, I find that the pedals have more tension than is comfortable to play..A simple push with the toe does not surfice. MAking it difficult and tiring to master the pedals. I spent time getting the AB + C pedal travel equal. And the changer pull equal which helped alot from its original set up but they are just tough. I lubed the changer and pedal axle and havent found any binding..its like the tension of the spring helpers are heavy. So far I tried switching the rod pivot points and rod locks at the pedal to create more leverage which really made a nice change..The pedals are now quite easy and smooth..The problem is now the throw is three times as long..which poses a problem. I was wondering if anyone has any tips on lighting up the pedal action.
I will post pics shortly.. |
|
|
 |
Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
|
Posted 26 Jun 2014 10:54 am
|
|
It is entirely possible that the lube between fingers and axle is gummy. Do they move fairly freely?
Where in Pennsylvania? There are some techs scattered around the Keystone state.
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
|
|
|
Bob Knight
From:
Bowling Green KY
|
Posted 26 Jun 2014 11:35 am
|
|
_________________
<b>Rick Johnson Cabinets<b>
<b>Brand X Custom Fiber Cases</b>
<b> John Pearse Thumb Picks, Bars and Strings</b>
"Thankfully, persistence is a great substitute for talent."
— Steve Martin
Last edited by Bob Knight on 27 Jun 2014 3:13 am; edited 2 times in total |
|
|
|
Tom Gorr
From:
Three Hills, Alberta
|
Posted 26 Jun 2014 12:00 pm
|
|
| Might have helper springs so you get the right throw and pressure...talk to Ricky Davis or James Morehead |
|
|
|
John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
|
Posted 26 Jun 2014 3:54 pm
|
|
".talk to Ricky Davis or James Morehead"
YUP! James won't be available until Monday, but he will certainly help. Some pics would be nice! It may have helper springs that the early models did not have. And,,, I just like to see pics of F-Tips! 8^) I have an S-10. |
|
|
|
Adam Beck
From:
Pennsylvania, USA
|
Posted 27 Jun 2014 5:58 am
|
|
| Hey guys..thanks for the response..the action in the changer ( when moved by my finger) is smooth just a lot of tension..So if I understand correctly , The helper springs may be changed out for a lighter gauge per say? I will get some pics up tonight..Couldnt yesterday cuz I had to travel to a gig. |
|
|
|
Adam Beck
From:
Pennsylvania, USA
|
Posted 27 Jun 2014 6:02 am
|
|
| ooo. maybe for a heavier gauge.. Im looking at a diagram of the changer.. |
|
|
|
Adam Beck
From:
Pennsylvania, USA
|
Posted 13 Jul 2014 3:58 pm
|
|
Ok ..finally have some pics of my Fingertip for you guys. And thanks for the suggestions. I spoke with James. A wealth of information and a real cool guy!
 |
|
|
|
Adam Beck
From:
Pennsylvania, USA
|
Posted 13 Jul 2014 3:59 pm
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Adam Beck
From:
Pennsylvania, USA
|
Posted 13 Jul 2014 3:59 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adam Beck
From:
Pennsylvania, USA
|
Posted 13 Jul 2014 4:01 pm
|
|
 |
|
|
|
John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
|
Posted 13 Jul 2014 4:03 pm
|
|
Adam!
Is that Ebony? Or is it finished black? Wow! A beauty! |
|
|
|
Adam Beck
From:
Pennsylvania, USA
|
Posted 6 Aug 2014 8:29 am
|
|
| The neck body? Ebony.. |
|
|
|
Larry Robbins
From:
Fort Edward, New York
|
Posted 6 Aug 2014 3:32 pm
|
|
Steel guitar porn! ha!! That's simply beautiful!
Great find!
_________________
Twang to the bone! |
|
|
|
Edward Rhea
From:
Medford Oklahoma, USA
|
Posted 6 Aug 2014 3:43 pm
|
|
WOW! That thing is dripping w/class! Hope you get it running to your expectations!
_________________
“TONESNOB†|
|
|
|
Bob Muller
From:
Oregon, USA
|
Posted 6 Aug 2014 4:31 pm
|
|
Nice guitar you have found, I think I have a twin to it. It has always been one of my favorite guitars.
 |
|
|
|
Bill Moore
From:
Manchester, Michigan
|
Posted 6 Aug 2014 6:50 pm
|
|
Adam, that's a nice looking guitar. When you say,
"a simple push with a toe" it implies that you are trying to play without shoes? Wear shoes, it will be easier and you will have much better control of all three pedals. And heavier pedal action won't be a bothersome. |
|
|
|
Adam Beck
From:
Pennsylvania, USA
|
Posted 7 Aug 2014 7:20 am
|
|
Thanks All!! Bob - They are twins..haha Nice! I really like the gold tuners. Really sets it off.
Bill-I play with shoes. Its probably just me being a newbie with undeveloped muscles where I need em..Its getting easier all the time..My calf and knee feel the burn.lol. |
|
|
|
Henry Matthews
From:
Texarkana, Ark USA
|
Posted 7 Aug 2014 1:23 pm
|
|
Adam, it will never play good, just send it to me, just kidding. Really nice looking piece of history right there. Never played a fingertip but have seen Hal and few other play them and they sound awesome. That's really a clean one.
_________________
Henry Matthews
D-10 Magnum, 8 &5, dark rose color
D-10 1974 Emmons cut tail, fat back,rosewood, 8&5
Nashville 112 amp, Fishman Loudbox Performer amp, Hilton pedal, Goodrich pedal,BJS bar, Kyser picks, Live steel Strings. No effects, doodads or stomp boxes. |
|
|
|
Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
|
Posted 7 Aug 2014 2:33 pm
|
|
In theory, it may seem logical to adjust all pedals so they have the same amount of travel. In practice, though, I have found it can be a detriment. I think pedals that change a string only a half-tone should move less, since there's no mid-point note to worry about. Also, the pedals that move a whole tone benefit from larger travel because it makes the 1/2 pedaled note more accessible. The "pedal squeezing" action on the "A" pedal is more pronounced, and done far more often, than the shorter movement of the "B" pedal. Having a lot of travel on the "B" pedal also makes it easier to miss fully pedaling that note sometimes, too! 
Of course, YMMV. |
|
|
|
Adam Beck
From:
Pennsylvania, USA
|
Posted 23 Jan 2015 12:27 pm
|
|
| Hey all.. Since its been a while....Im getting better all the time and the pedals don't seem so heavy anymore. I gotta say...These things are one animal of an instrument. My band is begging me to start gigging with it, but I don't think Im quite ready for the lime light with this thing yet. |
|
|
|
John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
|
Posted 23 Jan 2015 1:32 pm
|
|
| The sooner the better Adam! My teach got me a gig after three lessons. With a "request band." They had hundreds of songs on 3X5 cards, and, coming from a Zappa-style band, I didn't know any of them. I learned how to play onstage. You can too! |
|
|
|
Tommy Auldridge
From:
Maryland, USA
|
Posted 23 Jan 2015 2:01 pm Real Nice
|
|
| I would not take this out of the house without at least three armed guards. This steel guitar is far too valuabule to risk taking it to some band job just because you can. I say get another cheap steel guitar to take out. That's just my opinion. Tommy..... |
|
|
|
Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
|
Posted 23 Jan 2015 3:05 pm
|
|
I see nothing wrong with using it and playing it out. It's no more valuable than most pro steels, but it would be a lot harder to replace!
To keep a guitar from "getting away from you" when playing out, take it home all the time! Never leave it at a club, in a trailer or van, or in your car. Most all guitars that are stolen were left somewhere they shouldn't have been left by a careless owner. In 2 minutes or less, they can grab your ax and be gone.
A neighbor of mine had a pristine 1964 Impala SS convertible stolen from right in front of his house many years ago. Police found the car only 43 minutes after it had been stolen, but the engine, transmission, rear-end, bucket seats, and hood had all been removed and hauled away. All gone...in 43 minutes.  |
|
|
|
Justin Griffith
From:
Taylor, Texas, USA
|
Posted 24 Jan 2015 9:23 am
|
|
| Donny Hinson wrote: |
I see nothing wrong with using it and playing it out. It's no more valuable than most pro steels, but it would be a lot harder to replace!
To keep a guitar from "getting away from you" when playing out, take it home all the time! Never leave it at a club, in a trailer or van, or in your car. Most all guitars that are stolen were left somewhere they shouldn't have been left by a careless owner. In 2 minutes or less, they can grab your ax and be gone.
A neighbor of mine had a pristine 1964 Impala SS convertible stolen from right in front of his house many years ago. Police found the car only 43 minutes after it had been stolen, but the engine, transmission, rear-end, bucket seats, and hood had all been removed and hauled away. All gone...in 43 minutes. |
+1
These old guitars need to be played.
I was slightly nervous about taking my wraparound out at first. Then I thought why have it if I'm not going to play it.
Just keep an eye on it. 😉
_________________
Emmons/Sho~Bud/Blanton, Fender/Peavey.
Telonics pedal |
|
|
|
