1st string raise returns sharp on GFI Ultra

Paul Stauskas · From: DFW, TX

Hi,

I'm fairly new so I apologize if this isn't as clear as it should be. I have a GFI Ultra that has the first string raise to G#. First, I tune it to open F# using the keys. Then, I engage RKL and tune to G# using the nylon tuner. When I let out RKL, the first string returns a bit sharp of F#. The guitar is a GFI Ultra. Any help is appreciated.

Thanks!
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Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

It might be just overtuned. Does the nylon nut have an effect on the F#?
How old is the guitar? It might have been rodded to go to G, not G#.
Back the nut all the way off, so it doesn't even move the string. Retune the F#, now try tuning the raise.
Overtuning knocks stuff off balance, but it's not serious.
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Dick Wood · From: Springtown Texas, USA

Could be that you have turned the hex tuner a little too much over time and it is too far in. Take a look at it and see if there is any play. You should see a small gap when it is not engaged.

Back it off until you have a small amount of play and then tune the string with the knee lever/hex tuner and it should tune correctly.
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Dick Wood · From: Springtown Texas, USA

That was a photo finish Lane.
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Cops aren't paid much so I steel at night.

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

If it was originally rodded to go to G, you might wanna move the rod farther out on the bellcrank.
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects

Jon Light · From: Saugerties, NY

You are overtuned. When at rest, the nylon tuner MUST have enough slack to allow the changer to rest at its fully relaxed stop. Right now, at rest, the nylon tuner is hanging the raise rather than allowing it to fully return.

Back off the nylon tuner until it no longer (at rest) activates the raise. Increase the lever travel by adjusting the lever stop underneath the guitar.
You can also achieve more pull by moving the pull rod in the bell crank to a hole further away from the cross shaft for greater leverage.

Then retune the nylon nut, being sure to not overtune (if it still overtunes, repeat the procedure above).

chris ivey · From: california (deceased)

you're 3 minutes late, jon.

Jon Light · From: Saugerties, NY

I know. I suck. Smile

Georg Sørtun · From: Mandal, Agder, Norway

Apart from the obvious thing - mentioned already - of making sure there's enough free-play so the changer-finger doesn't hang on the nut ... is that a keyed Ultra with nut-rollers, or a keyless with a solid nut-bar?
I ask because I have a keyless with the nut-bar, and it is literally un-tunable because of hysteresis if the string-length behind the bar isn't kept really short.

David Nugent · From: Gum Spring, Va.

Paul...You have received some sound advice in my opinion.An early indicator that overtuning is your problem; Strike the first string open with the lever disengaged while simultaneously backing off the nylon tuning nut. By either watching your electronic tuner or simply listening closely, you can then determine if the pitch of the string is lowering as you turn the nut. What is basically occuring in this case is that the changer finger is being allowed to return to its intended at rest position.

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