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Topic: tuning the vertical Knee lever |
Bill Paisley
From:
Athens, TN, USA
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Posted 28 Apr 2012 2:45 pm |
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| When tuning my Bs down to Bd (open strings)they tune ok. But when I engage the A pedal with the VKL engaged the strings come back too sharp, probally around 50 cents. Is there something wrong with my changer? |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 28 Apr 2012 3:30 pm
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Are you saying that the C note of the split is sharp, or that release of A +LKV gives a sharp B?
If the former, that's normal
If the latter, something is wrong
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
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Marvin Born
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 28 Apr 2012 3:32 pm
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If you tune the knee lever to the correct pitch for C with the pedal down, then release the pedal and check the tuning again you will find the Bb to be flat. You can then add another pull rod to the raise finger of the changer and tune it to pull the Bb back in tune. (so now the knee is in tune with pedal up or down)
This idea depends on you having another raise hole available in the changer and bell cranks that have enough holes to add the pull rod in the correct place.
You should post the brand of instrument you have and let the experts who play that steel fill you in on the exact detail.
If you have a 3 over 2 or 3 over3 changer, contact the manufacturer of your guitar for parts. Typically, the parts to add this split for my guitar cost $15 from the builder.
Marvin |
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Bill Paisley
From:
Athens, TN, USA
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Posted 29 Apr 2012 9:49 am
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| Thanks for the responses. Lane I was meaning that when I had both the VKL and the A pedal engaged the 5 & 10 strings checked C+. I didn't mention that the only way I use the VKL is to make a minor( That's having A & B pedals down and the VKL engaed.) I just thought that I may learn other uses for the lever and I wanted to be able to use it. The way I tune it now is as Marvin says A pedal down and V pedal engaged. My Guitar is a Mullen. Adding another pull rod does make sense. |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 29 Apr 2012 10:31 am
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Is your Mullen tapped for splits?
In other words, are there threaded holes in the aluminum block that sits on the deck and spans the pillow blocks?
If not, you'll need extra rods, I'll explain below.
The tighter you stretch a string, the more changer movement you need to move a half-step. This means you'll need more pull to lower C# to C (with the A pedal) than it will to lower B to A# (without the pedal).
If you have the split screws or the extra rod, you'll tune the C with the lowering pull's nylon nut.
The extra rod will run from the bellcranks on LKV to the RAISE finger of 5 (and 10 if you desire). If you pull the C# down to C, you'll find that the A# comes out quite flat, use the raise rod to tune the A#: it'll just barely move the raise finger at the end of the LKV travel.
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
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Bill Paisley
From:
Athens, TN, USA
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Posted 29 Apr 2012 3:46 pm
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Lane;
Thank you for the Information. No my steel does not have the threaded holes. I guess I'll go with the extra rods. One more question. My friend just got a new Mullen and it has the 4th pedal(I guess it's called the "Franklin pedal". It is to the left of the other 3 pedals. It looks like it is tied in with the rods that is connected to the VKL. In other words doing the same function as the knee lever. Do you know how this is used? Thanks Bill Paisley |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 29 Apr 2012 5:34 pm
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I understand Paul has some videos explaining how he uses it. Never having played a guitar with that change, I've not watched it, and I've never once thought "I could hit this cool lick if I only dropped my Bs a whole step." Personally, for a P0, I use that other change Paul came up with, raising 1 & 2.
I know that change drops 5, 6, and 10 a whole step (I already drop 6 with RKL).
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
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