Re-tuning pedals as strings age?

David Mason · From: Cambridge, MD, USA

Do you:
A) retune your pedals and levers every time you change strings;
B) also adjust the pedal tuning after the strings have broken in a few days;
C) only adjust the tuning on "middle-age" strings;
D) Fuss with your nuts all the time?

I have had arguments with other guitar players about setting intonation, because they insist it "has" to be done on brand new strings, and I feel you will get better AVERAGE intonation if you set it when your strings are at a midpoint in their life. I am curious as to how picky other steel players get about this.

Jon Jaffe · From: Austin, Texas

I have a Kline. I never have to retune it. My F# will go flat after a while, and that’s a key head tune. I rarely have to adjust the endplate settings. That said, when changing strings, if the gauge changes, I have to retune that string. Jagwire strings, that deserve their Forum hype, do not make a .072. Retuning was necessary. Other Kline owners should give approximately the same answer. We are both picky and lucky.

Craig A Davidson · From: Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin USA

If you are doing item "D" how can you free your hands to tune. I always check my raises/and or lowers if I have to change a string. Also when I tune sometimes I check as there is always that outside chance something moved. That way I know the pedals and levers are working. Just retightened a vertical the other day that the screw had loosened up on the bell crank.

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1985 Emmons push-pull,Evans SE200,Hilton pedal

John Daugherty · From: Rolla, Missouri, USA

Just check it with your tuner. When something is not in tune, tune it. There is no set time to do this. There are several reasons for your tuning to shift, so you should check your open and pedal/lever tuning before you play your guitar. At least that is what I have always done. Before checking the tuning, I suggest you rub your hands back and forth on the strings about a dozen times to bring them up to body temperature and if possible, play a few licks, then check the tuning.......JD

Rick Schmidt · From: Prescott AZ, USA

I totally agree with Jack! I've seen a few guys who get on a little bit of an ego trip about the superior mechanics of their instruments. They'll brag how they never have to check their pedals. Consequently they'll sometimes be playing out of tune and rubbing their heads why. I've found it's always good to check all pedals and levers just to make sure nothing has changed. I admit I'm jealous of some of you guys with nice new state of the art steel guitars, but I still think it's good to check the pedals now and then.

David Doggett · Posted 31 Dec 2004 2:29 pm

It seems dang near impossible to carefully tune your pedal and knee stops with a brand new set of strings. The strings are still changing too much. But that mostly stabilizes after an hour or so of playing. I don't think you need to wait several days. After that tuning, I guess I check again at some point a good bit later as the strings get to "middle age." Temperature changes and mechanical wear-and-tear will eventually get the pedal and knee stops out of tune, regardless of string age. On my Zum and Emmons p/p that takes weeks to months. If I check the stops at home, I count on them being okay when I arrive at a gig. There's rarely time to do anything but tweak the tuning keys.

Bobby Lee · From: Cloverdale, California, USA

Old strings aren't true. Retuning the pedals can help a bit, but it's better to put on a fresh set. Read this.

Jody Sanders · From: Magnolia,Texas, R.I.P.

What Bobby said. Jody.

basilh · From: United Kingdom

What Bobby, Jody and Paul Franklin said...
No excuses.. change them every 3 weeks MAX..
It's a better way to get "That" sound than all the effect boxes you can find..
Basil

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Bill C. Buntin · From: Cleburne TX

Yep, What Bobby said.

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