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Post new topic Instructions to build a half-stop??
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Author Topic:  Instructions to build a half-stop??
Scott Denniston


From:
Hahns Peak, Colorado, USA
Post  Posted 27 Dec 2020 6:34 pm    
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I know I read an article at one time on building a half stop. I'd like to try that on my Dekley (2nd string E9 neck). I've seen kits for this at psparts.com but they're apparently not available. I'm also aware of setting the 9th string to act like a half stop for the 2nd but that lever is shared with the C6 neck and I'm not sure if that 9th string trick would work. Anyway does anyone remember someone giving instructions on building one? Or there was another kit sold by someone in UK that looked interesting. It's been quite a while since I looked at this & now can't find much available.
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Jerry Overstreet


From:
Louisville Ky
Post  Posted 27 Dec 2020 7:38 pm    
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I don't know if it will work on a Dekley, but Mullen has one on their website.

If you have the old Steel Guitarist magazine set, there is a Winnie Winston article and diagram in one of them. It's for an MSA, I think, but the idea is there.

...then there's this post... https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=353519&highlight=tunable+half+stop
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Andy DePaule


From:
Saigon, Viet Nam & Springfield, Oregon
Post  Posted 27 Dec 2020 10:35 pm     Michael at Wildhorse makes these.
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Michael at Wild horse makes these.
https://www.psgparts.com/1-2-Stop-Assembly-107-060.htm
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Jim Palenscar

 

From:
Oceanside, Calif, USA
Post  Posted 27 Dec 2020 10:46 pm    
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I've got some MSA-like kits for these but here is a very very basic drawing- the rod also floats thru the base
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Scott Denniston


From:
Hahns Peak, Colorado, USA
Post  Posted 28 Dec 2020 5:52 am    
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Thanks everyone for the input. I guess I'd actually prefer to buy one rather than build if they're available. This is an awfully nice guitar for me to start bunging up with a home made contraption. I'll get with you Jim. I like the MSA type with the large knob. I don't see why an MSA type wouldn't work. It's RKR though so crowded with pull rods so I don't know if that knob will be too large in that area.
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Scott Denniston


From:
Hahns Peak, Colorado, USA
Post  Posted 28 Dec 2020 6:17 am    
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Jim, is that vertical tower (up from the base) open like a Dekley bellcrank so that other rods can pass through it?
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Jim Palenscar

 

From:
Oceanside, Calif, USA
Post  Posted 28 Dec 2020 8:01 am    
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You could put it on the 9th string if there's more room there- it really doesn't care where it is as long as it's on the same cross shaft. On each end of the mechanism the rod goes thru a bushing freely that simply keeps it in place.
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Scott Denniston


From:
Hahns Peak, Colorado, USA
Post  Posted 28 Dec 2020 8:36 am    
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Aha! If I switch the raises to RKR and the lowers to RKL I'll have all kinds of room. This will work. I haven't employed these enough for it to be ingrained one way or another. I don't see any ergonomic problems either.
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Pat Chong

 

From:
New Mexico, USA
Post  Posted 28 Dec 2020 8:14 pm    
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Hello Scott,
Sorry, the pics may be big, my first upload....
Anyway I, too, have a Dekley. In review, the half stop works by moving the RKR towards it's final destination. It's movement is slowed by a spring, hindering but not stopping movement. When you feel the spring (at first), there is your half stop. Full compression is at your full stop. I am sure you already understand this, but I was just reviewing it's operation to say:
Pic 1: half stop not used.
Pic 2: half stop just engaging.
Pic 3: lever fully engaged, half stop is bypassed.

The half stop is also involves the reverse mechanism in the Dekley. You see that LKR also uses a reverse mechanism, but no half stop. Looking at one may help in figuring out the other. If your PSG has both reverse mechanisms, then all you would need to add is a spring, 2 rod clamps and a longer rod (see pics).
Hope this helps......Pat.


Last edited by Pat Chong on 29 Dec 2020 3:45 pm; edited 3 times in total
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Scott Denniston


From:
Hahns Peak, Colorado, USA
Post  Posted 29 Dec 2020 3:48 am    
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It sure does Pat thanks. I was looking at those reverses last night & wondered if something like that could be done.
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Pat Chong

 

From:
New Mexico, USA
Post  Posted 29 Dec 2020 7:42 am    
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I forgot to mention that the half stop also involves another string, usually string 9. String 2 is dropped 1 full tone and string 9 is dropped 1/2 tone. The process is to set the 1/2 at just were string 9 begins to engage. You feel it were it starts to engage and that is were you stop (also known as "feel stop"). Some do not like the "feel stop", as it is not exactly in tune, you have to juggle between where the 1/2 stop is and the proper note. The reason I mention this, is because if you only want to work with string 2, there is no feel for the half stop, and it has to be done another way. (Look up Lane Gray's article about "One half stop controling multiple changes"). Wish you well on your endeavor.......Pat.
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