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Topic: Can't Lower String 2 A Whole Step with RKR |
Jeff Rady
From:
Colorado, USA
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Posted 23 Jul 2017 7:08 am |
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Hi Steel Players, I'm having trouble getting my 2nd string to drop a whole step with my RKR engaged all the way, I just installed a pedal train on string #9 to get the half step bump.
The problem I'm having is when I engage RKR all the way it won't lower string 2 a whole step, it'll get close not quite there, so when I try to use my alan key to tune the nut to get it to drop to C# the whole tuning of the string drops.
What should I do?
Thanks! Jeff
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Williams Guitar Purveyor, Owner of jeffsguitarandsteel.com |
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Jon Light
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 23 Jul 2017 7:48 am
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| Before I spend time describing the procedure, can you confirm that this is a Williams guitar? |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 23 Jul 2017 8:17 am
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He said he bought it from Bill. I'll take his word for it.
I just got off the phone with Jeff.
He needs to add a scoche more travel to the lever; how does he adjust the stop?
_________________
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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Jon Light
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 23 Jul 2017 8:34 am
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| Lane Gray wrote: |
.....He said he bought it from Bill. I'll take his word for it......
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I don't see that info anywhere. Whatever.
I've never been underneath a Williams and I can't make heads or tails out of the stop on the reversing lever. This needs someone who knows Williams. Yes, it needs increased travel.
Left-moving lever stop is simple.
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 23 Jul 2017 10:51 am
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Jon, I didn't mean to be snippy, but he'd posted on FB, where he confirmed it and then we spoke on the phone.
I was trying to be flippant, but it came off snarky.
The stop does look a bit confusing in the picture.
_________________
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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Jon Light
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 23 Jul 2017 12:08 pm
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| all cool |
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Jim Bob Sedgwick
From:
Clinton, Missouri USA
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Posted 24 Jul 2017 1:24 pm
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Dave Knight had this problem on an older Williams guitar.
He told me the guitar had this problem since it was brand new. The solution was putting a longer bell crank on the guitar for this string. Problem solved.  |
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Jim Bob Sedgwick
From:
Clinton, Missouri USA
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Posted 24 Jul 2017 1:24 pm
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Dave Knight had this problem on an older Williams guitar.
He told me the guitar had this problem since it was brand new. The solution was putting a longer bell crank on the guitar for this string. Problem solved. |
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Jerry Overstreet
From:
Louisville Ky
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Posted 24 Jul 2017 2:06 pm
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I used to have one of these and I moved stuff around quite a bit, but it's been a while.
I think all you have to do for more travel is loosen the lock nut on that linkage rod you see in the nice photos that Jon provided there, adjust the rod length, then re-adjust the tilt on the KL.
I can't tell, but I don't remember there being a stop screw on the KL hub. You can see the nylon bumper there.
Mine was an earlier model, but the mechanics are the same and I had the changes that you refer to on that one plus another one, easily.
You don't say whether you were already lowering the 2nd string a whole tone before you installed the 9th string drop, so that would be helpful to know.
Also, make sure you have the split screw at the end of the neck backed out enough to accomplish your longest lowers on both 2 and 9. On second thought, check those first for proper clearance before you do anything else
A call to Bill Rudolph at Williams guitars might be the best action.
Last edited by Jerry Overstreet on 24 Jul 2017 4:28 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Tony Glassman
From:
The Great Northwest
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Posted 24 Jul 2017 3:11 pm
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| Have you adjusted the pull rod bell crank and changer position choices to favor a shorter (albeit stiffer) throw. (i.e. bell-crank = farther from cross shaft & changer = closer to axle)? |
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Dick Wood
From:
Springtown Texas, USA
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Posted 24 Jul 2017 3:56 pm
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The lever travel is fixed so move the 2nd string pullrod to the 5th hole away from the cross shaft and it should give you more than enough range tuning with the hex nut.
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Cops aren't paid much so I steel at night. |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 24 Jul 2017 8:31 pm
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The lever travel is fixed, but the return point is adjustable. Bill calls it the "slack adjuster screw". 
_________________
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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Jon Light
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 25 Jul 2017 3:17 am
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| Yeah---Fessendens use this method on the pedals with a slightly different hardware approach. If there's room to create more slack on the cross shaft, that would certainly achieve more pull. |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 25 Jul 2017 3:36 am
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On my Zum, there's a similar fitting for the knees. Some have them with tabs and screws on both sides, if there's not a convenient place to mount the travel stop for the knee.
_________________
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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Dick Wood
From:
Springtown Texas, USA
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Posted 25 Jul 2017 8:36 am
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Interesting, as my 2006 Williams doesn't have the piece in the picture. Mine works fine with the rod where I suggested.
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Cops aren't paid much so I steel at night. |
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Dick Wood
From:
Springtown Texas, USA
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Posted 26 Jul 2017 10:44 am
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I didn't see Jerry's comment until now about the split screw which is a very possible cause so check it too.
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Cops aren't paid much so I steel at night. |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 26 Jul 2017 11:51 am
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Dick, Jeff reported that he has tapped holes, but no screws.
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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 |
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Dick Wood
From:
Springtown Texas, USA
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Posted 26 Jul 2017 12:01 pm
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10-4
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Cops aren't paid much so I steel at night. |
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