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Topic: Levers not returning all the way |
Atom Schmitt
From:
Nashville, TN
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Posted 24 Mar 2014 1:52 pm |
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I've noticed this problem with two of my guitars now, and I'm sure it's a simple fix - on one of them, if I raise my Es with LKL, the F is in tune, but when I release the lever, the E stays a little sharp, until I use the LKR to lower the Es, in which case the D# is in tune, and when I let go then the E is back in tune.
On the other guitar, the RKL raises the D# to an E but it never really comes back down unless I push the lever in.
I'm less worried about that guitar because it's going in for a setup as soon as I have a free Saturday, but the first guitar is my main gigging steel, so I would like to have the situation rectified before I hit the road for the next string of gigs later this week.
I did just change the strings on this guitar, but I'm guessing something else is amiss. Do I need to be tightening a spring? Or perhaps lubricating something? And if so, what and how? |
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Mike Wheeler
From:
Delaware, Ohio, USA
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Posted 24 Mar 2014 2:49 pm
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Here's a couple of ideas.........
It could be the roller nut is sticking a bit. Loosen the string and lift it off the roller and put a very small drop of lube on the side of the roller....so it gets down to the shaft the roller rides on. Now roll it with you finger to loosen it up real good.
Another thing to check is how you have wound the string onto the tuner. You want the string to be in as much of a straight line, from changer to tuner peg, as is possible. Winding the string so that it ends up bending at an angle as it crosses the roller nut can cause the roller to bind enough that the note won't return fully to pitch. It's most noticeable on the raises.
_________________
Best regards,
Mike
Last edited by Mike Wheeler on 24 Mar 2014 2:56 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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Mike Wheeler
From:
Delaware, Ohio, USA
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Posted 24 Mar 2014 2:54 pm
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On the other guitar with the knee lever problem, I'd look for something binding, or rubbing, underneath....like the pull rods. It may just need a simple adjustment.
Aside from that, it could be a lube issue in the changer, cross-shafts, of other friction points. A close visual inspection should show you what's going on.
But, since it's going in to the shop for a setup, I wouldn't worry about it much. The tech will be able to remedy the issue.
_________________
Best regards,
Mike |
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Atom Schmitt
From:
Nashville, TN
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Posted 24 Mar 2014 2:57 pm
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| Mike Wheeler wrote: |
On the other guitar with the knee lever problem, I'd look for something binding, or rubbing, underneath....like the pull rods. It may just need a simple adjustment.
Aside from that, it could be a lube issue in the changer, cross-shafts, of other friction points. A close visual inspection should show you what's going on.
But, since it's going in to the shop for a setup, I wouldn't worry about it much. The tech will be able to remedy the issue. |
Well, unfortunately I wanted to get the second guitar (a Sho Bud) in this weekend but ran out of time to get up to Williams to drop it off with Bill. The first guitar, which actually is a Williams, I'll be using a ton between now and when I could next get it in, so I think I'm going to have to figure this out myself. I highly doubt it's something that's beyond my ability to fix though. I just don't know nearly as much about the mechanics of these guitars as a lot of the people here do. |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 24 Mar 2014 3:31 pm
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Hey, Atom, try taking a ballpoint or a pencil, pushing in on the fingers til they get halfway to F or D#, then release it SLOWLY (if you snap it, short returns NEVER replicate). If the problem happens with the pencil, try A DROP on the fingers, aiming for the pivot rivet.
If it doesn't replicate, then look at the pull train: something is preventing the rods from letting the return happen.
The most annoying thing is that sometimes inverting the guitar eases the bind, so it works fine on the bench.
_________________
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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Mike Wheeler
From:
Delaware, Ohio, USA
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Posted 24 Mar 2014 3:58 pm
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If you could find the time, I'm sure a call to Bill would be the quickest way to solve the problem. He can walk you through the fix. I doubt it's anything very serious. From what you've said, you don't want to muck around on your own....that could make it worse!  
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Best regards,
Mike |
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Bill Moore
From:
Manchester, Michigan
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Posted 24 Mar 2014 6:29 pm
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| These return to pitch problems are often caused by insufficient travel on the knee lever. Adjust the travel on the levers, increase it a little, then retune. That will probably take care of it. |
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Wayne Neal
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 24 Mar 2014 8:32 pm
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I had a problem like this(LKR LD#) would return flat, and could hear a small click when I would (LKL F) then it would return to E. I found the fingers were dragging the changer stop just a tiny bit. I backed the strings off and the springs off and shimmed under the changer stop(very thin stock) to solve my problem.
_________________
D10 Carter, b-bender Tele, Electric Fiddle & Mandolin, Peavey Stereo Chorus 400 BW1203's, Peavey Special 130 Ken Fox mod BW1203. |
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richard burton
From:
Britain
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Posted 24 Mar 2014 9:39 pm
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Have a look at the 'C' pedal when you raise the 4th string with the knee lever, and see if it drops slightly.
Then activate the lever that lowers the 4th string and see if the 'C' pedal comes back up.
Put your foot under the 'C' pedal and hold it up while you raise and then release the 4th string with the knee lever, and see if it comes back true to pitch.
Sometimes the weight (or friction) of the 'C' pedal can cause the problem with the 4th string |
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