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Post new topic Pedal Changes Slow To Come To Pitch
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Author Topic:  Pedal Changes Slow To Come To Pitch
Chris Bauer

 

From:
Nashville, TN USA
Post  Posted 9 Jun 2017 3:42 pm    
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Okay, because I seem to be a bottomless pit when it comes to technical questions...

On one of my guitars (all pull), two of the pedals and one of the knee levers are exhibiting the same odd and irritating behavior. Once you hit the end of the pedal/lever throw, the string takes another noticeable moment to come all the way to pitch. In other words, you hit the pedal and the string comes almost to where it needs to to and then slowly pulls the rest of the way to pitch.

From that description, is this a 'diagnosable disorder' and, in either case, any recommendations on what a mechanical nincompoop like myself can do to try to resolve it? Or, is this a take-it-to-a-tech kinda thing?
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Clyde Mattocks

 

From:
Kinston, North Carolina, USA
Post  Posted 9 Jun 2017 4:21 pm    
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Just a guess. You could be using up just about all of your travel when you reach ALMOST pitch. But then a little more pedal pressure takes you to a positive stop. It sounds like either that or a friction issue. Check to see that threads on your rods going thru the changer fingers are not snagging on the finger holes.
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Lane Gray


From:
Topeka, KS
Post  Posted 9 Jun 2017 5:21 pm    
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Also check that the pivot rivets aren't gunky.
These things are just a handful of levers ganged together.
Either get a friend to help, or bend over the end of the guitar, watch the behavior of a change that's NOT misbehaving, then activate the misbehaving change.
The two most likely culprits are already detailed in my post, and in Clyde's.
A third possibility is that a bellcrank is wobbly on the shaft. You're not on a shag carpet, are you? Having to nestle into thick pile can slow down the pedals, but doesn't explain the knee
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
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Rick Abbott

 

From:
Indiana, USA
Post  Posted 9 Jun 2017 5:21 pm    
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I agree. It has to be one of the two issues Mr. Mattocks raised. I'd start with lubrication.

What guitar is it, if you don't mind saying.
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Greg Lambert

 

From:
Illinois, USA
Post  Posted 9 Jun 2017 6:28 pm    
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Rick Abbott wrote:
I agree. It has to be one of the two issues Mr. Mattocks raised. I'd start with lubrication.

What guitar is it, if you don't mind saying.


Cleaning and then lube should take care of the problem.
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richard burton


From:
Britain
Post  Posted 9 Jun 2017 9:08 pm    
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Check that the Lower Return Springs are tight enough, it's possible that the spring tension is being overcome momentarily during a raise (usually more noticeable during a fast raise) before the spring re-asserts itself
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Erv Niehaus


From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
Post  Posted 10 Jun 2017 7:34 am    
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Your changer is gummy.
I had an Emmons a while back exhibiting the same characteristics.
I didn't want to take it apart, so upon recommendation, I used this to loosen it up. You should have seen the black stuff ooze out.
You can buy the product in sporting goods stores.

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Rick Barnhart


From:
Arizona, USA
Post  Posted 10 Jun 2017 7:45 am    
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Don't fix it, just use it exclusively for Hawaiian music 😂
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Clinesmith consoles D-8/6 5 pedal, D-8 3 pedal & A25 Frypan, Pettingill Teardrop, & P8 Deluxe.
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Erv Niehaus


From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
Post  Posted 10 Jun 2017 7:58 am    
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Hawaiian music on a pedal steel!
Bite you tongue. Whoa!
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