B pedal tuning issue

James Mayer · Posted 5 Jan 2012 9:19 am

My B pedal is in tune* open and with A+B pedals engaged. However, when I engage B+C, it's off by just enough for me to hear it and check my tuner. Is this common?

The funny thing is, this steel has very minimal cabinet drop. I mean it almost doesn't register when I test the 3rd string E with A+B pedals down. It's an Emmons Student P/P.

*I'm using a Sonic Research Turbo Tuner with the OE9 temperament from the Stroboflip manual.

Pete Burak · From: Portland, OR USA

Hi James,
I'll touch base with you.
We can probably figure it out.
Pete

Clete Ritta · From: San Antonio, Texas

The 3rd may not drop much at all, but the 6th (especially unwound) will detune more when A or A+F are used. Thats a good test for checking your cabinet drop.

Clete

b0b · From: Cloverdale, CA, USA

On your tuner, the C pedal tunes to notes that are also used for the A pedal and the 1st string. I tune the C pedal by ear so that the minor chord sounds in tune.

Also notice that A is the b3 of the F#m chord. The b3 is typically tuned wide (sharp). Maybe you need to lower your 7th string a bit with a compensator pull if the A note is sounding flat, to balance it out.

The Stroboflip tuner is inadequate when dealing with the "two F#s" issue. It only gives you one of the F# notes.
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James Mayer · Posted 5 Jan 2012 1:49 pm

Thanks for the replies. I'll take a look when I get home from work and report back.

James Mayer · Posted 6 Jan 2012 6:22 am

Craig A Davidson · From: Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin USA

First try a new third string especially if the strings haven't been changed for a while. Check and make sure when your "C" pedal is engaged that it is stopping right at the F# and C#. I had that problem with my A pedal and it was because I was pulling the pedal farther than I needed to and it was pulling on the changer and making the third and fith string flat. Also make double sure that the raised notes from that pedal are in tune.

b0b · From: Cloverdale, CA, USA

What interval is sounding out of tune, James?

You should tune the C pedal with B+C pressed, not C by itself. Strings 4 and 5 should be at the same cents offset on the tuner, or very close.
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James Mayer · Posted 6 Jan 2012 9:58 am

Sorry guys, I didn't get a chance to do anything steel related, last night. I got up this morning and tuned up and the outcome was different.

When I reported the issue, the 3rd string AND the 6th string where both off when B+C was engaged. I can't remember if they were sharp or flat, but with A+B and "open" all strings were tune.

These findings were verified with the Turbo Tuner, not with my ear. The strings are less than two weeks old and the last person to touch this steel was Lynn Stafford who knows what he's doing and adjusted the steel AFTER the new strings were put on.

This morning, everything was in tune perfectly except the E-F# raise was slightly sharp. The only new variable that I tried is to run the tuner off of a power adapter instead of a 9-volt battery.

I tried everything again, just before leaving for work and EVERYTHING was suddenly in tune. The only difference, this last time, was that I was standing up when I engaged the pedals for a quick check. Thinking it must be a foot pressure thing, I then sat back down and there was no change, all in tune.

So, I've got some scientific sorting out to do before I diagnose anything.

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