Can't tune pedals on a Sierra 14 string

Edward Toro · From: California, USA

Hi Glad to be a part of this forum!

I am a beginner and I am trying to tune my Sierra steel.
For example, when I tune the 5th string to E no problem.. but when I hit the pedal that is suppose to play a f# it never quite tunes to f#, when I use the hex tuners on the right side. 'The problem is" when I tune to E with the tuning keys on the left then, try to tune the pedal it puts the E out of tune. I can never get ether key E/F# to stay in the right key. Tuning one always changes the other??
I just can't get them to tune as they should. Hope this makes sense.
Is there a rod adjustment?
Anybody has any tips / tricks to know?
Thanks for any suggestions.
Eddie.

Tucker Jackson · From: Portland, Oregon, USA

Hi, Eddie.

Do you mean the 4th string rather than 5th? On the C-pedal, the 4th is the one that's raised to F#.

It sounds like the C-pedal's tuner is "overtuned" on string 4.

There's a 'sticky' thread at the top of this forum section that talks about the common problem caused by overtuning:
https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=326460

It's pretty detailed, but to summarize, you described the classic symptoms of an overtuned nut: trying to tune the pedal messes up the open note. The fix is to start by backing off the tuning nut all the way so that the pedal doesn't change the note at all. This allows the changer finger to fully return home to true 'neutral' -- rather than in the slightly-raised state it's been sitting in because the tuning nut is so tight.

Now that it's in neutral as a correct starting point, tune the open 4th string to E. Then tune the C-pedal 4th string to F#.

This will usually fix the problem. If not, make sure you have the correct guage string on there (usually a 0.14 for the 4th).

If still no love, you'll need to get more leverage on that change. One thing you can do is move the pull-rod to a different position on the bellcrank. You would want to move it, say, one slot further away from the crossbar.

Pete Burak · From: Portland, OR USA

If you are anywhere near Oceanside CA you could take it to Jim at Steel Guitars Of North County.
Jim is a Sierra specialist and will know what to do and how to do it. https://steelguitars.me/

On Sierra 14-stringers the extra strings are strings 1 and 14. String-5 is actually the E note because of this (usually string-4 as Tucker mentions, along with other good info).

Tucker Jackson · From: Portland, Oregon, USA

Thanks for the Sierra-wisdom, Pete! I didn't realize that the 14-stringers put the E on String 5.

What is the 1st string tuned to?

Pete Burak · From: Portland, OR USA

Believe it or not!... String 1 is an extra G#!... with no pedals or levers hooked to it.
Not sure why but I think Bill Stafford came up with the Sierra 14string copedant.
Here is a link to the old Sierra Copedant charts:
http://sierrasteels.com/support/copedant-charts.html

Edward Toro · From: California, USA

Great advice...Thanks to all for the awesome info!!

Eddie.

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