ZB pedal steel

Dave Yustin · From: Vermont, USA

I found a nice ZB D-10 locally, 70-71. The B pedal on the E9 neck is extremely stiff. I checked the pull rod lengths and adjusted them to insure that both the 3rd and 6th string pulls are synchronized.
I've isolated the problem to the 6th string changer finger. I also spoke to Jerry Fessenden and followed his advice regarding the flat stock bars which are engaged by the pedals.
No improvement. I'm guessing the next step is to remove the strings and changer to check the 6th string changer finger.
Anybody know what I should look for specifically?

Eric Dahlhoff · From: Point Arena, California

I had a similar problem once. It turned out to be the tuning nut binding in the hole. You could try unscrewing it all the way and take it out - see if the sides are worn or if there is crud in there.
Another thing to make sure of is that the lower tuning nut is not screwed in all the way. It needs to have some play.
You should be able to push each of the nuts in by hand.

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"To live outside the law you must be honest." (Bob Dylan)

Jerry Fessenden · From: Vermont, USA

Make sure that the "knife" edge on the flat bar is sharp... when they get rounded , it will pull badly.

Dave Yustin · From: Vermont, USA

Thanks. I did check the knife edge Jerry, as you told me to when I last saw you last time. I disconnected the pull rods on 3 & 6 individually. The B oedal is smooth with 3 connected, 6 is the bad one. I'll check the tuning nuts on the end. Thanks for your responses.

Dave Yustin · From: Vermont, USA

Hey Eric, I took the tuning nut out, did a quick clean and it helped considerably. I'll re-adjust the turn buckles and should be good.
Thank you, to you and Jerry for responding. Hope you had a good Thanksgiving Day.

Dave Yustin · From: Vermont, USA

The 6th string raise needs one more adjustment. The tuning nut needs to be nearly all the way in, to tune the raise. In order to give the tuning nut a little more room, I'm gonna have to access the small nuts, located on the threaded tuning nut shaft.
I got a good look at the changer and finally saw that there are two nuts on that threaded shaft that control how far the tuning nut will travel.
The 6th pull is still a little to stiff, so I'm guessing that adjusting the tuning nut stop nuts will take care of it. I'll try to get a pic of the changer, in case someone else out there is trying to learn how they work.

Eric Dahlhoff · From: Point Arena, California

Here's a pic of a ZB changer finger.
Note how one of the threaded ends with the 2 nuts is slightly bent. Apparently each finger is fitted to it's own location in the changer & end plate holes.
Dave, If you completely unscrew & remove the lower adjusting screw on #6, does that relieve the tightness on the raise?
Adjusting those double-nuts will allow you more/less travel, but you should first make sure that the lower finger is not also moving & acting against the raise. (You might need to tighten the lower-return spring.)

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"To live outside the law you must be honest." (Bob Dylan)

Dave Yustin · From: Vermont, USA

I'll check that Eric. I've noticed there are different length tuning nuts as well. I'll check to see if the lower is causing problems. We'll see what happens.

richard burton · From: Britain

Try putting a washer on the 6th string raise tuning screw, as an interim measure.

Dave Yustin · From: Vermont, USA

Well, the lower isn't causing any problems. And yes, I thought about trying a washer if need be. Thanks for the help, I'm guessing something else is binding on that 6th raise. It's completely playable, the B pedal is simply stiffer than it needs to be. I'll end up pulling the changer the next time I change strings.

Dave Yustin · From: Vermont, USA

The B pedal is fixed, as smooth as the others now. For whatever reason, the tuning nut for the 6th string raise had to be screwed in nearly all the way, in order to tune it. This caused the head of the tuning nut to hit the end plate too soon, making the pedal stiff. A tuning nut with a longer shaft would have settled it, but I didn't have one. I did have a roll pin of the proper diameter to use as a spacer. Cut off to the appropriate length, it provides the necessary room between the head of the tuning nut and end plate, preventing it from bottoming out too soon. The pedal operates easily. Eventually, I'll pull the changer to find out what's causing the problem. For now, this is an effective fix with no permanent modifications or damage to a nice old ZB. Thanks for all your help.

Ron Pruter · From: Arizona, USA

It may be just me but, I sure hate working on those things. RP
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Emmons SKH Le Grande, '73 Fender P/J bass, Tick tack bass, Regal high strung, USA Nashville 112.

Richard Sinkler · From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

Jerry Hayes · From: Virginia Beach, Va.

Didn't the Rustler Steel Guitars have the same sort of mechanism as the ZB steels?.....JH in Va.
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Don't matter who's in Austin (or anywhere else) Ralph Mooney is still the king!!!

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