| Author |
Topic: Carter starter with broken pedal stop |
Thom Gustafson
From:
Mount Vernon, Washington, USA
|
Posted 25 Jul 2022 7:55 pm |
|
One of my students has a Carter starter with a broken pedal stop. The stop is just a 1/4" thick piece of wood I assume is glued to the body and has a split in it between the A and B pedal. I'm wondering what the best approach is to repairing/replacing the pedal stop. I'm attaching a photo to show the damage and the poor repair job done by the previous owner. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
 |
|
|
 |
Thom Gustafson
From:
Mount Vernon, Washington, USA
|
Posted 26 Jul 2022 7:10 am
|
|
| I thought I'd clarify my post by saying the portion under the B and C pedal that has been reattached flexes when pressure from the pedal is applied and makes it impossible to tune the B pedal properly. I was considering sinking wood screws through each side of the pedal stop, removing the bar pieces and attaching a new wooden stop or replacing the wooden stop with an aluminum stop if I can find a piece of 1/4" flat stock. Bob Carlucci previously mentioned a 5 minute fix for this problem so I'm wondering if there is an easier, better way. |
|
|
|
Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
|
Posted 26 Jul 2022 12:15 pm
|
|
I would try to fit aluminum stops. The wooden stops are ridiculous.
_________________
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. |
|
|
|
Thom Gustafson
From:
Mount Vernon, Washington, USA
|
Posted 1 Aug 2022 7:49 pm
|
|
My student took his steel to a local guitar shop and had this nifty repair done for $40. The pedals now tune up and function like they should. Thanks Richard and Bob.
 |
|
|
|
Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
|
Posted 2 Aug 2022 2:39 am
|
|
That's a decent repair, though the metal-to-metal contact might make more noise. (I would have used a Delrin or nylon bar, instead.)
Also, I generally prefer sheet metal screws for wood fastening, as they have a finer pitch and no taper on the shank. (But that's just me.) An alternate repair, or even a preventive measure, would have been to install screws through the wood stop directly under where the bell-cranks hit.  |
|
|
|
Thom Gustafson
From:
Mount Vernon, Washington, USA
|
Posted 2 Aug 2022 10:55 am
|
|
| Thanks for the input Donny. Hopefully someone in the future that also has a Carter starter with the same problem can use the info gleaned from this thread to give them a better idea how best to repair it. |
|
|
|
Bob Carlucci
From:
Candor, New York, USA
|
Posted 2 Aug 2022 8:02 pm
|
|
I have repaired those stops.. If I recall correctly, I used wood with glue and screws as well, All I remember was it turned out just fine.
Not the best pedal stop ever designed on a student pedal steel thats for sure.. I don't know how a master like Bud Carter ever allowed his name on those guitars when they were being sold.... they had a LOT of shorcomings...
_________________
I'm over the hill and hittin'rocks on the way down!
no gear list for me.. you don't have the time...... |
|
|
|
Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
|
Posted 3 Aug 2022 3:23 am
|
|
| Well the CS wasn't the best, that's for sure. But they had a lot of capability for the money (S10, 3+4 for $700). At the time they were made, that was about $500 cheaper than anything comparable that was out there. They also held their value fairly well through the years, allowing a prospective newbie to get "in and out" of pedal steel without losing hundreds of dollars. |
|
|
|
David Dorwart
From:
Orlando, Florida, USA
|
Posted 4 Aug 2022 6:09 am
|
|
| I agree with Donny. For all the bad rap they get the Carter Starter for me was a great introduction to PSG. I got one on EBay about 9 years ago for $750 - came with a GFI pack a seat, Carter volume pedal, bar and the Winnie Winston book. I sold it this year for $650 and kept all the accessories. As b0b has said - it served its purpose. Only $100 to get me a new addiction |
|
|
|
Bob Sykes
From:
North Carolina
|
Posted 5 Aug 2022 2:43 pm
|
|
Me too, except I didn't get "in and out". I just keep getting in deeper  If my "barely used" CS had not showed up at a friend's guitar shop on consignment, I would never have taken the plunge over 10 years ago.
I still play it on some (especially outdoor) gigs and whenever I need a grab-n-go lightweight PSG. Because I started out on it, I wasn't hindered by its shortcomings and probably developed a light touch due to the cushy pedal/lever stops and light weight.
Sure it was built to a price and if press too hard on the pulls it will go past the desired pitch, but I play it accordingly. Perhaps when I need to execute some lightning fast licks it won't cut the mustard, but I'm not there yet. If/when I get there I may just improve the stops as pictured by the OP. Thanks!
_________________
Carters Starter, D10 8+7, SD10, Chandler RH-2, Rogue RLS-1
ISO Sustainus Ad Infinitum |
|
|
|
