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Topic: Tight Tuning Nuts |
Kevin Holmes
From:
Lower Paxton, PA USA
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Posted 14 Aug 2009 11:26 am |
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The tuning nuts on my steel are extremely tight, quite possibly from not enough use.
I know that a lot of you folks do resorations on old instruments, so I figured that this'd be the place to ask.
My instrument is not that old. Ed Naylor made it for me about ten years or so ago. Unfortunately, Mr. Naylor is no longer among the living. I believe that he passed around 2004.
Since they are made of nylon, I didn't want to use vaseline or a petroleum based product to make the rods (the threaded things that the nuts go on)slippery.
I figured that they should turn nice and smooth.
--Kevin Holmes |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 14 Aug 2009 12:34 pm
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| You want them tight. Some of the tuning nuts on my 1981 Franklin are still very tight. If you make them turn free you will have tuning problems because the nuts will turn on their own because they are "loose". |
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Steve English
From:
Baja, Arizona
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Posted 14 Aug 2009 1:13 pm
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Get some new ones from the George L website: http://www.georgelsstore.com/steelacc.html
You'll be happy you did...I was! Make sure and select the correct size.
_________________
Always remember you're unique..... Just like everyone else |
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Kevin Holmes
From:
Lower Paxton, PA USA
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Posted 14 Aug 2009 1:36 pm
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Thanks for replying, guys.
It looks like there are only two different sizes of rods at George L's. I didn't know that they carried that kind of stuff.
I'm going to do some measuring. It seems like the ones that Ed Naylor included with my steel are smaller than the ones that are on the steel.
Either that or the hole strethed out.
They are the same size outside but the holes are smaller.
--Kevin |
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Doug Earnest
From:
Branson, MO USA
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Posted 14 Aug 2009 1:40 pm
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You may find that if you remove your tuning nuts, re-lubricate them with a bit of white grease, re-install them running them in further than necessary and then re-tune that things will be much improved. Or maybe not but it's worth a try. Like Mr. Stoner, I believe (from experience) that tighter is better.
_________________
Doug Earnest
Manufacturer of Stage One & Encore pedal steel guitars
http://www.stageonesteelguitars.com
"Teach Your Children Well" |
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Jerry Roller
From:
Van Buren, Arkansas USA
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Posted 14 Aug 2009 1:54 pm
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But too tight is very annoying. If you have one (some) that are just too tight you can unscrew it from the pull rod leave it in the tuning wrench to hold it, find a drill bit that just will not quite fit into the hole, drill it in short spurts so no heat will be generated then screw it back on the pull rod.
Jerry |
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Bob Cox
From:
Buckeye State
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Posted 15 Aug 2009 4:45 am
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| some of those grey ones on emmons start cracking and will create a majior problem.I don,t know why they don,t use the good ones. |
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Jim Palenscar
From:
Oceanside, Calif, USA
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Posted 15 Aug 2009 7:42 am
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| There are 3 sizes of rods that are used in most steels- 3/32(.093"), 7/64(.109"), and 1/8 (.125"). Geo L's makes nuts for .093" and .125" leaving the .109" (all-pull Emmons/Fessenden,etc.) folks out in the cold. While I agree with Jack about wanting the nuts to be tight, the problem is when they are too tight it becomes difficult to properly adjust the string to pitch accurately as the torque required to turn the nut effectively shortens the rod raising the pitch and when you let it go it goes flat to what you thought you had it adjusted to. With tight tuning nuts there is no problem adding some lubricant or enlarging them slightly on a lathe (or using a drill/drill press if you don't have access to a lathe). Just be careful to not overdo it or the nut will become worthless. That being said- they are inexpensive so get a bagful and have fun. |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 15 Aug 2009 9:56 am
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| "Tight" in reference to the tuning nuts can be interpreted differently. We could all be talking about the same thing but our reference to "tight" could be different. |
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Jerry Roller
From:
Van Buren, Arkansas USA
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Posted 15 Aug 2009 11:00 am
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Jack, of course you are exactly correct. My thoughts are that if you can't turn it with a George L's tuning wrench with your right thumb and either the index finger, middle finger or even thumb and both fingers then it is too tight. If there is no resistance when you turn it then it is too loose.
Jerry |
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Kevin Hatton
From:
Buffalo, N.Y.
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Posted 15 Aug 2009 4:23 pm
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| Like Palenscar said, drill them out with a NUMBER drill. Number drills are very incremental. Vert easy fix. |
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