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Topic: Tricks to minimize pedal clicking? |
Richard Rice
From:
Illinois, USA
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Posted 16 Feb 2015 7:36 am |
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On my Marlen D-10 I'm getting too much mechanical clicking from the pedals. Any good tricks for getting them quieter? Makes me nuts when I'm playing alone quietly.. Thanks!
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'84 Marlen Custom D-10, 8X4
Oahu Tonemaster 6 string lap steel
Rice Custom 6 string lap steel
Republic Squareneck Tricone
Homebrew 6 string reso
10 string Melobar- Rice modified
Rice Custom 8 string reso (under construction)
Hohner 6 string lap guitar (acoustic)
Kustom K-500 tuck & roll
Peavey Century
Peavey Vegas 400
Peavey CS-800
Bag End custom 1X12 & 1X15 cabs w.EV drivers
Steelin' thru a '72 Vibrosonic Reverb and a '69 Dual Showman Reverb (Stereo) |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 16 Feb 2015 9:00 am
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Richard, I suggest sitting underneath the guitar and move the pedals by hand to see which part of the linkage is making the noise. If the noise is between bellcrank and collar, shock springs can help.
If it's where the ball meets pedal, I think they make delrin-lined fittings now. There's lots of places for a pull-release to make noise.
I recommend turning up the amplifier.
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
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Bob Carlucci
From:
Candor, New York, USA
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Posted 16 Feb 2015 9:05 am
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My Marlen clicks and pops pretty badly as well.. Everything is tight, no slop, well lubed, well adjusted..
Not a problem at normal levels, but yes, when played quietly its annoying.. I have always felt its just the way it is with this particular design... bob
_________________
I'm over the hill and hittin'rocks on the way down!
no gear list for me.. you don't have the time...... |
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Richard Rice
From:
Illinois, USA
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Posted 16 Feb 2015 9:18 am
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Thanks fellows.
Turning up the amp always works.. lol
I've been fine tuning the stops to get mine to play pretty well in tune, the clicking is the next issue I would like to improve. I love the sound and feel of this instrument, but my last PSG was an aluminum S-10 by Sierra- which was much "tighter" mechanically, thus quieter operation.
I really like the Marlen much better, but always like to get an instrument to operate as well as it can. I guess I'll take a closer look and see if any adjustments exist, or possibly some Delrin.. Not an issue if I were to play out with it, but still... you know.. lol
_________________
'84 Marlen Custom D-10, 8X4
Oahu Tonemaster 6 string lap steel
Rice Custom 6 string lap steel
Republic Squareneck Tricone
Homebrew 6 string reso
10 string Melobar- Rice modified
Rice Custom 8 string reso (under construction)
Hohner 6 string lap guitar (acoustic)
Kustom K-500 tuck & roll
Peavey Century
Peavey Vegas 400
Peavey CS-800
Bag End custom 1X12 & 1X15 cabs w.EV drivers
Steelin' thru a '72 Vibrosonic Reverb and a '69 Dual Showman Reverb (Stereo) |
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Scott Duckworth
From:
Etowah, TN Western Foothills of the Smokies
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John Scanlon
From:
Jackson, Mississippi, USA
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chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
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Posted 16 Feb 2015 10:42 am
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| i would think that being a luthier, you could look at the mechanism and easily address the problem. |
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Richard Rice
From:
Illinois, USA
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Posted 16 Feb 2015 12:51 pm
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Yeah, I haven't taken the time to look at it yet. I'm still trying to remember how to play the thing- it was gone for a year or so.. I remember hearing the clicking before, but then didn't have the instrument here.
It just occurred to me that if this is a common problem, I would see if there was a common fix before I started re-inventing the wheel..
Being a luthier has little to do with it. 
_________________
'84 Marlen Custom D-10, 8X4
Oahu Tonemaster 6 string lap steel
Rice Custom 6 string lap steel
Republic Squareneck Tricone
Homebrew 6 string reso
10 string Melobar- Rice modified
Rice Custom 8 string reso (under construction)
Hohner 6 string lap guitar (acoustic)
Kustom K-500 tuck & roll
Peavey Century
Peavey Vegas 400
Peavey CS-800
Bag End custom 1X12 & 1X15 cabs w.EV drivers
Steelin' thru a '72 Vibrosonic Reverb and a '69 Dual Showman Reverb (Stereo) |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 16 Feb 2015 1:13 pm
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This ain't luthiery, this is mechanicking.
Nearly every issue will have some common and probably easy-to-manage causes. But which cause is your problem will take a little bit of scientific method.
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
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Jason Putnam
From:
Tennessee, USA
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Posted 16 Feb 2015 2:04 pm
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On my Shobud I was getting a metal click when the arm on the cross shaft hit the pedal stop screw. It would clank every time I hit the pedals. I used some heat shrink tubing. I got it from radio shack. Slide over the arm and heat it with a lighter. It shrinks around the metal and now they are plastic coated. No more clanking!
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1967 Emmons Bolt On, 1995 Mullen PRP 3x5,Nashville 112, JOYO Digital Delay, Goodrich Volume Pedal, Livesteel Strings |
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Richard Rice
From:
Illinois, USA
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Posted 16 Feb 2015 6:43 pm
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Well, I took a look at the underside- seemed to be rod noise from the undercarriage. I placed a couple of soft foam pads between the rods, and it is vastly improved. I can probably eliminate some lost motion from a couple of the pedals next, but it's way better. Thanks for all the suggestions!
_________________
'84 Marlen Custom D-10, 8X4
Oahu Tonemaster 6 string lap steel
Rice Custom 6 string lap steel
Republic Squareneck Tricone
Homebrew 6 string reso
10 string Melobar- Rice modified
Rice Custom 8 string reso (under construction)
Hohner 6 string lap guitar (acoustic)
Kustom K-500 tuck & roll
Peavey Century
Peavey Vegas 400
Peavey CS-800
Bag End custom 1X12 & 1X15 cabs w.EV drivers
Steelin' thru a '72 Vibrosonic Reverb and a '69 Dual Showman Reverb (Stereo) |
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Tony Glassman
From:
The Great Northwest
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Posted 16 Feb 2015 9:58 pm
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Somewhat unrelated.........
Richard, I still have the "Rice Custom" B-Bender Tele that you and your dad built (#064). That guitar is a "wonderment". I've had 4 or 5 players try it and buy it right off the bandstand.
After getting it, I sold my 58RI Les Paul, 335 and G&L ASAT Bender. I just never used them afterwards. |
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Richard Rice
From:
Illinois, USA
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Posted 17 Feb 2015 3:22 am
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Nice to hear from you, Tony. I'm glad to hear the bender is holding up well.
BTW, I'm the dad.. lol
_________________
'84 Marlen Custom D-10, 8X4
Oahu Tonemaster 6 string lap steel
Rice Custom 6 string lap steel
Republic Squareneck Tricone
Homebrew 6 string reso
10 string Melobar- Rice modified
Rice Custom 8 string reso (under construction)
Hohner 6 string lap guitar (acoustic)
Kustom K-500 tuck & roll
Peavey Century
Peavey Vegas 400
Peavey CS-800
Bag End custom 1X12 & 1X15 cabs w.EV drivers
Steelin' thru a '72 Vibrosonic Reverb and a '69 Dual Showman Reverb (Stereo) |
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Roger Rettig
From:
Naples, FL
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Posted 17 Feb 2015 6:01 am
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Way back when I was still in London and doing a lot of sessions I'd have that problem with my ZBs. Some engineers just ignored the extraneous noise, others would go nuts trying to figure it out.
The latter would end up isolating and close-mic'ing the amp but that's hard to do in your practice room.
I do believe that the ZB is particularly guilty of this trait.
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Roger Rettig: Emmons D10, B-bender Teles, Martins, and a Gibson Super 400!
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Richard Rice
From:
Illinois, USA
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Posted 17 Feb 2015 6:46 am
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It was pretty annoying. I used to practice at concert levels, running a Vibrosonic Reverb amp on my left, and a Dual Showman Reverb on my right.. Never really bothered me when playing loud along with recordings on the PA, or live with a band.
Since I got it back, I've been playing quietly by myself- the clicking was quite distracting. Much better since I isolated most of the rods. There's still a trace of noise, but I can live with it.. It doesn't appear to be from wear, just the nature of a vintage piece.
_________________
'84 Marlen Custom D-10, 8X4
Oahu Tonemaster 6 string lap steel
Rice Custom 6 string lap steel
Republic Squareneck Tricone
Homebrew 6 string reso
10 string Melobar- Rice modified
Rice Custom 8 string reso (under construction)
Hohner 6 string lap guitar (acoustic)
Kustom K-500 tuck & roll
Peavey Century
Peavey Vegas 400
Peavey CS-800
Bag End custom 1X12 & 1X15 cabs w.EV drivers
Steelin' thru a '72 Vibrosonic Reverb and a '69 Dual Showman Reverb (Stereo) |
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Ian Rae
From:
Redditch, England
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Posted 18 Feb 2015 2:19 am
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A thought occurs to me from my brass playing background. French horns and some trombones have rotary valves operated by a lever and crank. The lubricant of choice is hypoid gear oil. I know it goes against the steeler's grain to use anything that wouldn't work on a firearm, but it could be worth trying, and not too hard to remove from exposed mechanism.
_________________
Make sleeping dogs tell the truth!
Homebuilt keyless U12 7x5, Excel keyless U12 8x8, Williams keyless U12 7x8, Telonics rack and 15" cabs |
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Richard Rice
From:
Illinois, USA
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Posted 18 Feb 2015 2:57 am
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Not a bad suggestion, by any stretch.. I haven't noticed any lubrication issues, the noises I found annoying appear to be coming from the various rods in the undercarriage when engaging the pedals. A couple of the rods want to click together, ant the tolerances appear to be close between a couple of them.
My last steel was a Sierra S-10, which was virtually silent. It has been a while since I have had a steel here, but after having taken a look at this one I remembered the Sierra had some foam dampening on the rods. That's where I got the idea to try to isolate the most offensive spots- seems to have eliminated the majority of the problem. I'll see if I can get a couple of pics on here,in case somebody has a different plan of attack, but for the moment it sounds and works pretty well.
_________________
'84 Marlen Custom D-10, 8X4
Oahu Tonemaster 6 string lap steel
Rice Custom 6 string lap steel
Republic Squareneck Tricone
Homebrew 6 string reso
10 string Melobar- Rice modified
Rice Custom 8 string reso (under construction)
Hohner 6 string lap guitar (acoustic)
Kustom K-500 tuck & roll
Peavey Century
Peavey Vegas 400
Peavey CS-800
Bag End custom 1X12 & 1X15 cabs w.EV drivers
Steelin' thru a '72 Vibrosonic Reverb and a '69 Dual Showman Reverb (Stereo) |
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Richard Rice
From:
Illinois, USA
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Posted 18 Feb 2015 3:06 am
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_________________
'84 Marlen Custom D-10, 8X4
Oahu Tonemaster 6 string lap steel
Rice Custom 6 string lap steel
Republic Squareneck Tricone
Homebrew 6 string reso
10 string Melobar- Rice modified
Rice Custom 8 string reso (under construction)
Hohner 6 string lap guitar (acoustic)
Kustom K-500 tuck & roll
Peavey Century
Peavey Vegas 400
Peavey CS-800
Bag End custom 1X12 & 1X15 cabs w.EV drivers
Steelin' thru a '72 Vibrosonic Reverb and a '69 Dual Showman Reverb (Stereo) |
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Charlie McDonald
From:
out of the blue
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Posted 18 Feb 2015 3:43 am
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It was recommended that I use R/C airplane fuel line tubing on the rods in my MSA.
I wouldn't recommend it; didn't really do the job, but the blue tubing looked cool.
The foam pads and shrink tubing sound like good solutions.
Yes, I think it's part of the vintage guitar. Glad you 'got it back' and can hear yourself play again. |
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Richard Rice
From:
Illinois, USA
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Posted 18 Feb 2015 4:22 am
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Actually, I thought about using soft air line tubing (for fish aquariums) at key spots, but noticed that whole rods seemed to rattle around in there. The foam pads don't impede any movement, they just killed a bunch of the mechanical noise. I think it's as good as it can be at this point. Huge improvement as I have continued to fit the pads.
I think I'll just play it as it is for now, and try to remember more of the stuff I used to play- as well as try to improve on techniques and fluidity.. It has been too long since I had it here.. Great to have it back. I won't let it get away from me again.. Plenty of other gear here that I no longer use...
Let's just pray the economy gets back on track so life can get back to normal..
_________________
'84 Marlen Custom D-10, 8X4
Oahu Tonemaster 6 string lap steel
Rice Custom 6 string lap steel
Republic Squareneck Tricone
Homebrew 6 string reso
10 string Melobar- Rice modified
Rice Custom 8 string reso (under construction)
Hohner 6 string lap guitar (acoustic)
Kustom K-500 tuck & roll
Peavey Century
Peavey Vegas 400
Peavey CS-800
Bag End custom 1X12 & 1X15 cabs w.EV drivers
Steelin' thru a '72 Vibrosonic Reverb and a '69 Dual Showman Reverb (Stereo) |
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Charlie McDonald
From:
out of the blue
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Posted 18 Feb 2015 5:03 am
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Conceivably, the foam keeps the rods more or less straight; it's the rattling of the rod (like a string flapping) that generates the noise
rather than rods rattling together. Keeping the rod linear would provide slightly more direct pulling.
Seems simple once you arrive at the solution. |
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Richard Rice
From:
Illinois, USA
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Posted 18 Feb 2015 6:11 am
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https://soundcloud.com/user765269318/marlen-d-10
Sorry about my playing.. re-learning stuff now.. At least you can hear what I have going on here now. The clicking seems minimal at this point..
_________________
'84 Marlen Custom D-10, 8X4
Oahu Tonemaster 6 string lap steel
Rice Custom 6 string lap steel
Republic Squareneck Tricone
Homebrew 6 string reso
10 string Melobar- Rice modified
Rice Custom 8 string reso (under construction)
Hohner 6 string lap guitar (acoustic)
Kustom K-500 tuck & roll
Peavey Century
Peavey Vegas 400
Peavey CS-800
Bag End custom 1X12 & 1X15 cabs w.EV drivers
Steelin' thru a '72 Vibrosonic Reverb and a '69 Dual Showman Reverb (Stereo) |
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Charlie McDonald
From:
out of the blue
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Posted 18 Feb 2015 9:01 am
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I don't think you can get it much quieter.
Sounded good. |
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Richard Rice
From:
Illinois, USA
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Posted 18 Feb 2015 10:41 am
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Plays good, not real noisy. Still needs a little tweaking, but the instrument is way better than the operator.. lol
_________________
'84 Marlen Custom D-10, 8X4
Oahu Tonemaster 6 string lap steel
Rice Custom 6 string lap steel
Republic Squareneck Tricone
Homebrew 6 string reso
10 string Melobar- Rice modified
Rice Custom 8 string reso (under construction)
Hohner 6 string lap guitar (acoustic)
Kustom K-500 tuck & roll
Peavey Century
Peavey Vegas 400
Peavey CS-800
Bag End custom 1X12 & 1X15 cabs w.EV drivers
Steelin' thru a '72 Vibrosonic Reverb and a '69 Dual Showman Reverb (Stereo) |
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