Older GFI S-10 SM Knee Lever/Pedal Issues - FIXED

William Elliott · From: Ohio, USA

Hey folks,

Having an issue that i'm hoping someone can help me with, or maybe refer me to a shop local that i could maybe have it completely looked over (Columbus, Ohio)

Have this older GFI S10 SM that my dad left me some years back, and i'm trying to get back into playing once again but having some issues with the left Knee levers on the 4/8 strings.

When using the LKL to raise the 4/8, those 2 strings come back a bit out of tune. only way to get them back in, is to use the RKR to drop the 4/8, and then they go back where they should be. almost like something is sticking and not letting it drop back down.

So i checked under the hood to see what i could find, and seemed like the LKL rods/lever to the 4/8 had some slack/play in it. (the tuning nut was backed away from the "finger" a bit)

So i lightly snugged them up to get some of the play out, but now the "C" pedal is doing the same thing along with the LKL (it is also on the same "Finger"?)

So, was wondering if maybe i should risk pulling the changer and completely cleaning it up, or is it a bit too much for a novice.

Also was wondering if the Finger on the 4/8 was supposed to be somewhat lined up with the others. as you can see in the photo they are quite a ways off from the others.

This is one of the early Student GFI's, with 3+4 - Serial 037

I did remove the nut roller, and completely cleaned/polished/oiled thinking it may have been it, but no go.

Sorry for long post, but hoping to get this going without having to ship it out to get it serviced.

Only local shop i found was Hummingbird Music, which is about 2 hours from me.

(Looks like some ties were added to the rods, as i remember him telling me some of the original rubber grommets broke - is there a replacement for those?)

Thanks for any help.

William Elliott · From: Ohio, USA

Just an update as i figured it out, without pulling changer.
in case someone else has a similar issue with this guitar or ones like it.

I backed off all of the tuning hex nuts at the changer end, so that there was no tension. (changer was neutral so to speak, and each finger was in line with one another)

I then went ahead and tuned as normal for this model.
(4/8 and 2/9 strings tuned open with hex nuts at changer side - the drops on those strings are tuned with head keys)

It is now working as intended.

some of the hex tuners were adjusted too far in i guess, preventing the fingers from coming back further.
most likely due to tuning it wrong in the past, as all strings aren't tuned open by the head keys.

Hopefully this helps someone else.

Thanks.

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

Very common problem. It's called "over tuning". Glad you figured it out.
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Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 54 years and still counting.

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