Tight/creaky C pedal-broke 4th string--SOLVED!

Benjamin Jayne · From: Orange County California, USA

I just had a Q. about my C pedal. I've noticed ever since I got my guitar that the C pedal takes significantly more pressure to engage than the B or A pedal, even though I have the travel of the foot pedal loosened to move as far as possible. I tried disconnecting the pedal and engaging the change by pulling the pedal bar, and it was still very 'stiff.' I even hear a slight "creak" sound when pressing the pedal. I applied some lubrication thinking this may be the problem, but the sound remained, and there was no change to the stiffness. Well today, while doing a lick with the BC pedals, I broke my 4th string at the changer for the first time. Just for kicks, I engaged the C pedal with the 4th string missing, and it was much easier to press, which is what I expected, seeing as it had less tension moving only the B string.

I'm just curious if this is typical, and if not, what may be amiss or what could I check or adjust if not.

Thanks everyone
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Lamar S-10, Goodrich L10K VP, Carvin Vintage 16 all-tube amp, John Pearse Cryogenic steel tone bar, John Pearse strings.

Georg Sørtun · From: Mandal, Agder, Norway

That more pressure is needed on the C pedal than the other pedals, is normal. That it "creaks" isn't.

Maybe you can put a helper-spring on the 4th string ... take up some of the string tension in the changer so you won't have to push so hard.

Bent Romnes · From: London,Ontario, Canada

On my guitar, the B and C pedals require about the same pressure as the A and B.
As Georg stated, the creak should not be there.

I believe you should start by giving the whole linkage a good clean and lube job - right from the changer, through the bell cranks, ball joints and right down to the pedal pivots. When You are satisfied that everything is moving freely and creak-free and it still acts stiff, then install a raise helper spring.
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BenRom Pedal Steel Guitars
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Benjamin Jayne · From: Orange County California, USA

upon further inspection, the creaking does appear to be coming from the pedal-pedal bar connection and not from the changer. I lubed everything up under the guitar last time, but I didn't take down the pedal bars/pedals and lube those. as for cleaning of those steel parts, are there any recommendations? should I take the pedal and bar off before lubing them?

The helper spring is a good idea Georg. It would be great if giving the pedal and pedal bar a good lube eased up the tension even a little, though.
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Lamar S-10, Goodrich L10K VP, Carvin Vintage 16 all-tube amp, John Pearse Cryogenic steel tone bar, John Pearse strings.

Georg Sørtun · From: Mandal, Agder, Norway

Check visually and clean off what you can get to with a piece of cloth that doesn't give off loose fibers first. If the cloth gets really dirty you may have to loosen rods to get to and clean/lube linkage-points. If the cloth only picks up oil from your latest lubing-attempt, there's usually no need to go further.

As for the pedal/bar connection, I recommend taking the bar off the front legs so you can check for dirt and lube the connection. One-two drops of thin oil where it will penetrate into the connection within an hour or two, should be enough - "overlubing" is not a good idea. Only take the pedal/bar connection itself apart if that's the only way to get oil into it where it creaks.

Benjamin Jayne · From: Orange County California, USA

Well, I gave the pedal bar a clean and it wasn't too dirty, but it's amazing what a little lube can do! I dropped some lube at both pedal pivots (where the pedal meets the bar that holds them) and moved it up and down a few times with the pull bar removed and also placed some lube at the pull bar-pedal joint and voila! No more creaking! I went ahead and applied some lube to all 3 pedals in the same fashion to prevent future wear. Gave it a few min and put the bar back on the legs, and now the C pedal doesn't feel as tight, either. Seems like the gear must have been getting caught up a bit. Kind of glad that 4th string broke yesterday to get my attention on the C pedal-I'm afraid too much use without lube may have damaged it! Good thing it was the C pedal, which for me doesn't get a lot of use Wink

With a new and improved C-pedal, I'm excited to try out some new licks that make use of it. Any suggestions?
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Lamar S-10, Goodrich L10K VP, Carvin Vintage 16 all-tube amp, John Pearse Cryogenic steel tone bar, John Pearse strings.

Mike Perlowin · From: Los Angeles CA

Benjamin Jayne · From: Orange County California, USA

David Nugent · From: Gum Spring, Va.

Benjamin...Here is a nice variation using the scale that Mike explained:

At the third fret, strike string 6 then 4,then 6,4,6 while slowly engaging B&C pedals. Next at the fifth fret (pedals still engaged), strike 4,6,4. Strike 6 (fifth fret)and slide up to fret eight while slowly releasing pedals,then play 4&6 (the slide is played as part of the three note pattern). Move to fret ten with pedals released, strike 6,4,then while pedaling B&C, strike 6,4,6. Move to fret twelve, pedals still down, play 4,6,4. Release pedals, move to fret fifteen and strike 4&6 together. Practice playing this pattern in descending order as well....Note: The three note patterns are played more rapidly than the two note patterns, experimenting with the timing should provide satisfactory results.

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