Fender Blues

Rick Lane · From: Shawano, Wisconsin, USA

Hey guys,
I have an old fender pedal steel 3+1.
I'm having a problem keeping the 5th B string in tune. I tune the guitar up.
Start to play, press the a+b pedals down,
release them,but when i press them down
again the 5th string is tuned too high.
I have to leave a tuning wrench on it
and retune. Is there any way to fix this
problem. If anyone could help I'd be
greatful.

"PLAYER GOING CRAZY"
THANKS
RICK

Mike Perlowin · From: Los Angeles CA

If you only have 3 and 1, you need more knee levers. I suggest that instead of putting any money into the Fender, you start saving up for a more modern instrument.

Tracy Sheehan · From: Fort Worth, Texas, USA

Mike.You did not say what modle fender it is.Back in the 50's and early 60's i played the 400 and later the 1000.If it is one of these,turn it up side down and work the pedals with your hand.You should see where the raise and lower plates almost rub together (which some did) but that is easy to fix also.While working the pedals with your hand drop some rubbing alcohol in between the plates.Do not oil them.If this doesn't do the trick make sure the pulling cable has enough slack in it to completley release the changer.I used to take them apart and file in between the rase and lower.Good luck and hope this works for you.Tracy

Rick Lane · From: Shawano, Wisconsin, USA

Tracy,
My fender is late 60s or early 70s.
Itis rod activated.Thanks for the help.
If any other ideals let me know.

THANK AGAIN
RICK

Rick Lane · From: Shawano, Wisconsin, USA

Mike,
I hear what your saying. This steel is
so limited. But it is not in the cards
right now. So I must make do with the
old fender. Any advise is and would be
helpful.

THANKS MIKE
RICK

Brad Bechtel · From: San Francisco, CA

What kind of strings are you using? Is the problem occuring on just one string or on many strings?

I was using Ernie Ball pedal steel strings on my Zumsteel and having a heck of a time keeping it tuned properly. I went back to D'Addario (with a non-wound .22 string) and my problems went away.

Rick Lane · From: Shawano, Wisconsin, USA

Hi Brad,
I am using GHS boomers. From 013 to 036
my 5th string is 017 gauge non-wound.
Are you talking about your 5th string?
and also what gauge of D'addario are
you using.I would like to try them.

THANKS FOR THE INFO.
RICK

Tracy Sheehan · From: Fort Worth, Texas, USA

Rick.I was way off on the year.I Am not familiar witht that late of model.Two things you can check.If it has the rollers at the nut be sure it is not sticking.Do put a drop of oil in it.Check your return spring also as it may be weak from use.One more thing.See if the bell crank has slipped and is not letting the finger return.One of these should do it.(I hope)Good luck.Tracy

Rainer Hackstaette · From: Bohmte, Germany

Rick,

from your description of the guitar I'd guess that you have a Fender Artist student model, made by Sho-Bud in 1976. If so, the following should apply:
- the guitar is black
- the fretboard is glued directly to the top deck, i.e. no neck insert
- double raise/double lower changer (the same as the pro models)
- hexagonal cross bars
- bell cranks with 5 holes, the pull rods are secured with clips

Am I right so far?

If you have hex cross bars a loose bell crank can only slip left-right, not front-back. Still, you may want to check if the Allen set screws are tight.

All pull rods should have a tiny amount of slack at the changer. If you pull on the plastic tuning barrel with your hand, the rod should move about 5/64" back and forth. If it is tight against the changer finger when the pedal (or knee) is not engaged, the changer is already activated and you'll chase your tail when tuning the open string vs. the pedal.

If your 5th string pull rod is too tight against the changer, back off the rod. You'll then need a little more pedal travel. Adjust the A-pedal stop to give you a little more travel. Alternatively you could move the raise rod up one hole on the bell crank, but this would make the pull slightly stiffer.

Check for binding in the changer and the roller nut. Everything should move freely with no resistance.
Look for broken-off ball ends in the changer.

BTW: If the student model has indeed the double raise/double lower changer like the pro models (I only have a photo showing the top of the changer, not the endplate, and it looks identical to my Fender D-10) then you can add knee levers to the guitar. The Fenders use the same hardware as the Sho-Bud Super Pro models.

Rainer

------------------
Remington D-10 8+7, Sierra Crown D-10 gearless 8+8, Sierra Session S-14 gearless 8+5, '77 Emmons D-10 8+4, Sho~Bud Pro-I 3+5, Fender Artist D-10 8+4, Peavey Session 400 LTD, Peavey Vegas 400

Rick Lane · From: Shawano, Wisconsin, USA

Hey Tracy,
Thanks for the suggestions I will try them.

THANKS AGAIN
RICK

Rick Lane · From: Shawano, Wisconsin, USA

Hi Riner,
You hit the description of my steel right
on the headstock (sorry for the joke)
I will try these suggestions.Thank you
very much for your help.

THANKS AGAIN
RICK

Rick Lane · From: Shawano, Wisconsin, USA

Just wanted to thank the STEEL GUITAR
FORUM and everyone who helped me on my
guitar problem. Thanks for making a new
member feel like part of your steel family.

THANKS AGAIN

SINCERELY
RICK LANE

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