Stiff Pulls/ Loose talk about U-12 setups

Bob Parins · From: Brooklyn, New York, USA

Hello everyone

I recently bought a used Carter U-12. I like the guitar a lot, but I've been noticing that the pedals require a bit more force to push down than my MCI U-12. I've read the threads about lubrication, and have taken action there. Lubing up made things a little smoother, but over all the pedals still feel tight.

I wonder if there may be something else causing this stiff pedal action.

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated

Thanks,

Bob

Edit: I found the following information at b0b.com. thanks Bob, I think my stiff action is probably a result of having shorter throws than I'm used to.

The "stiffness" issue is a matter of taste. Some like it hard, some like it soft. The length of throw is also a matter of taste, some like it long, some like it short. For a given guitar design (all are not alike), you can change the "feel" by changing some of the afore mentioned leverage lengths; The length of string behind the nut(s) will have relatively little effect upon the total amount of "stiffness", and a bit more on the required amount of travel required for the change. For the "fast" change players, adjust for short pedal and lever throws, and remove any strings from the change that you do not need; You are probably a "lick" oriented player, and minor in getting multistring chords. For those that use half (less than full) throws to get passing tones (1/2 P1 etc.), and those that like full chord changes, adjust for the longer throws; This will reduce the "stiffness" for your added string count per change.

Jon Light · From: Saugerties, NY

Give me a holler if you need any assistance, hands-on or hands-off. I've done considerable work underneath my Carter 12 over the last 9 years. Know it pretty well.

Bob Parins · From: Brooklyn, New York, USA

Thanks Jon!

Boy it's a small world. I met you once a few years back at Hank's Saloon in Brooklyn, you saw my post here, and a couple weeks ago one of my guitar students said he met you on jury duty.

Thanks for your offer, I really appreciate it. I changed the setup from the Chuck Campbel Sacred Steel setup (which didn't make any sense to me at all) to a pretty standard U12, and really learned a lot in the process. I'd love to hear about your set-up/ Copedent and would be happy to show you what I came up with if you're interested. Us Brooklyn 12-Stringers have to stick together!

Jon Light · From: Saugerties, NY

Always interested in personal variations on the U-12 and would be interested in what you did.
My #1 guitar is currently a Fessenden but the Carter is still in play. Similar setups with minor differences---the Carter can do stuff that really pushes the limits on some other guitars re: length of pulls.
My Uni has the Larry Bell 8th string E>D on a lever instead of P6. It's a work in progress, always, and I have some significant alterations in mind if I can figure out how to do them without losing some cool shhit.
I expect that I'll remember you if/when I see you. I also expect that you'll forgive me for not immediately flashing on who you are. Hanks & all, y'know?
You've got me totally lost on that jury duty thing----that's the sort of encounter you'd remember amid the tedium of sitting around doing nothing. Drawing a total blank. Unless this was the juror that held out for conviction when I thought I had beat the rap. Tell him that I don't forget these things.

Bob Parins · From: Brooklyn, New York, USA

Hi Jon-

I left the String 8 E---->D on the 6th pedal but added:

String 9 B----->D raise on my RKR which also lowers my:

String 2 D#----->D

Which I think is pretty standard. I imagine I was having the same problems reaching pedal 6 as you were. ( for example, if I want to play an E 13 chord by grabbing strings 5,6,and 8 and stepping on my B pedal and 6 pedal, I'd have to use two feet which is awkward, so instead, I grab 5,6,and 9 and raise the B on string 9 to a D with my RKR. )

I made the following adjustment last night when I did the split on the 6th string:

I had put my LKR lowering strings

3 and 6 from G#------> G,

but when I set up the split so the 6th string would go to F# unless the B pedal was depressed (in which case it would be G) I found that the 3rd string was acting strange, so I did a little research and found a cool solution. I left the 3rd string alone so the B pedal will raise it to A when I go for the G on string 6. ( That's an 11, of course, which can be nice to have around when you're playing minor chords ) Then I put the rod on string one instead raising the

F# ----> G

Giving me the minor 3rd in the higher octave. I think this is pretty common stuff, but I didn't know it before, so I thought I'll pass it along to anyone else who might be in the dark.

As for the Jury thing, it's nice that they let you have the forum in the big house. I'll let my student know you're thinking of him.

Cheers,

Bob

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