Tuning Trouble - Fixed!

Bob Bestor · From: Ashland, OR

So I am having tuning trouble with my Mullen Discovery and am looking for input. Here's what going on:

1--Depress A and B together, use nylon hex tuner to bring string 5 up to "pedals down" pitch.

2--Release A and B - open string is still in tune.

3--Re-depress A and B and now the 5th string is quite flat of "pedals down" pitch.

This is happening for both my 5th and 6th strings. The 10th string is also going slightly flat but the 3rd string is returning to pedals down pitch without problem.

It was suggested I check for some play/free travel in the bell cranks. I did that and found the following:

- A, B and C pedal bell cranks move/rock away from changer but not toward it
- LKL bell crank is the same
- LKR bell crank will rock in both directions
- RKL bell crank move/rock away from changer but not toward it
- RKR bell crank will rock in both directions

I am not sure how much free play is required so I made this video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CD6BN8AnCj8

Any help out there for a guy who's never really looked under the hood of his steel? Could it be as simple as new strings? I did change them a couple of weeks ago.

Thanks
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Greg Cutshaw · From: Corry, PA, USA

The pitch adjustment you want on the 5th string is what you get after cycling the pedal. Tune with pedal down, release pedal and then press it again and re-tune. Repeat until the string is in tune when the pedal is cycled. This is the pitch you will get repeatably anyhow. To some extent I do this with all my pedals and knee levers. It's possible that this is not your problem but it's a phenomenon that I've seen with all my guitars.

Danny Letz · From: Old Glory,Texas, USA 79540

What Greg said except I donâ€™t make my adjustments with the pedal or lever pressed. I release them, make a little tweak & then press them again until like Greg says, they repeat. It appears from your video that you have plenty slack.

Bob Bestor · From: Ashland, OR

Thanks Greg and Danny.

Greg, if I understand correctly, you suggest that I continue tuning and retuning until it stays in tune. In other words -
--press A pedal down and hold it down while tuning hex tuners.
--Release pedal and repeat

I did that about ten times in a row and each time it is flat when I press the pedal down again. Hmm?

Danny, I tried tuning at hex tuners without the pedals depressed and had the same result.

Perhaps I don't understand? Thanks
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Jim Bloomfield · From: Colorado, USA

Your bell cranks are fine. Check out this link. I don't know if this is exactly the issue you are having but kind of sounds like it. If nothing else it gives you a good idea of what's going on under there.

https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=326460

Larry Bressington · From: Nebraska

Your all good on slack, are the nylon tuners worn out? Meaning theyâ€™re slipping on the threads, there should be quite a bit of resistance to turn them if they got bite. If you can (spin) the wrench using just your thumb and second finger those nylon tuners are probably worn too loose, a good bite requires thumb and both fingers.

I agree with everybody else, pedals off to make the adjustments, then stomp again, make micro tweaks until itâ€™s right.
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Jim Palenscar · From: Oceanside, Calif, USA

One other thought is that sometimes the lower return springs fatigue and can partially release upon a raise causing inconsistencies in changes. Easy to check- raise the 5th string and see if the lower scissor moves- at all. Also be sure that the bellcranks are sufficiently tight on the cross shaft.

Danny Letz · From: Old Glory,Texas, USA 79540

On the Mullen web site there is a place where it shows a particular place to oil the changer. Donâ€™t know if it applies to Discovery but it worked on a G2 I worked on for a friend. Doesnâ€™t take much.

Bob Bestor · From: Ashland, OR

Thanks for all the input. I ended up contacting Mike at Mullen and he set me straight. It turned out the rollers at the changer were binding a bit. I loosed the strings, gently tapped the end caps to open them ever so slightly and then moved the rollers a bit from front to back and that did the trick. Good to go!

Thanks again to you all and thanks also to b0b for providing this fabulous forum.
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