GFI Student Model Tuning Issues

Alex Keenan · From: California, USA

Hi everyone,

My name is Alex Keenan and I just officially joined the forum after poking around for a few months. After buying a GFI student model a few years back, I've recently restarted my steel journey and am taking lessons with John McClung. I've decided to upgrade to a Zum Encore, but while I wait for that I'm still trying to make the most out of my GFI. I've been having some issues with tuning it lately, and I think it was from overturning the nylon nuts. Some have become bent and I am having a really hard time tuning the following strings with the nuts:

4 - open, LKL, LKR, C pedal
8 - open, LKL, LKR

Do I need to buy new nylon nuts? Any input would be greatly appreciated. Sorry if this isn't clear or doesn't make sense, if any further clarification is needed please let me know. Thank you!

-Alex

John Sluszny · From: Brussels, Belgium

Buy and change them !!!

John McClung · From: Olympia WA, USA

Hey, Alex! I'd recommend you post photos of your bent tuning rod ends, plus describe what your knee levers do, what strings get raised or lowered, to help folks correctly diagnose your troubles.

As I recall, we couldn't get the pedal A raise of string 5 up high enough in pitch, from my reading of how to tune the GFI pull-release, you should just need to back out the tuning rod at the changer for that pedal, that should allow the string to raise further. Pull-release is still somewhat of a mystery to me, never had one!

We'll get you fixed up, especially with this "village" chiming in!
_________________
E9 INSTRUCTION
▪️ If you want to have an ongoing discussion, please email me, don't use the Forum messaging which I detest! steelguitarlessons@earthlink.net

John McClung · From: Olympia WA, USA

Hey, Alex! I'd recommend you post photos of your bend tuning rod ends, plus describe what your knee levers do, what strings get raised or lowered, to help folks correctly diagnose your troubles.

As I recall, we couldn't get the pedal A raise of string 5 up high enough in pitch, from my reading of how to tune the GFI pull-release, you should just need to back out the tuning rod at the changer for that pedal, that should allow the string to raise further. Pull-release is still somewhat of a mystery to me, never had one!

We'll get you fixed up, especially with this "village" chiming in!
_________________
E9 INSTRUCTION
▪️ If you want to have an ongoing discussion, please email me, don't use the Forum messaging which I detest! steelguitarlessons@earthlink.net

Alex Keenan · From: California, USA

Thanks John. Below is a photo of the bent nylon nuts, hopefully it comes through. They seem to be maxed out and won't turn enough to get levers and strings up to pitch. I'm having the most trouble with tuning:

Open strings 4 & 8 - requires tuning nylon nuts
LKL - raises E > F strings 4 and 8
C Pedal - raises E > F# string 4

Thanks again! Let me know if I can send any more info to help diagnose the issue.

Bill Moore · From: Manchester, Michigan

It looks like you need to take a look at the manual for your guitar. Here is the link:
http://www.gfimusicalproducts.com/documentation.html#SMsheet

Alex Keenan · From: California, USA

Thanks Bill, I have a copy of the tuning instructions on the wall right next to my guitar. The issue I'm having is that the nuts won't physically turn enough to bring certain strings, pedals and levers up to pitch.

Tucker Jackson · From: Portland, Oregon, USA

Alex, looking at the photo, it looks like some of the nuts are 'overtuned.' All of the fingers should be in a straight line when no pedals/knees are engaged, but it looks like several are out of line. It's possible the nuts that are hard to turn are just screwed in too far.

The solution is to back them off entirely until they are not doing anything when you engage a pedal/knee. Then tune the open string to it's correct pitch, then tune the pedal or knee lever to pitch with the nylon nut. That might fix your issue.

Good luck!

Richard Sinkler · From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

Bill Moore · From: Manchester, Michigan

Alex, on a pull/release guitar, strings 4 and 8 need to be in a central position so there is room for them to both lower and raise. The red tuning nuts are intended to maintain the central location, i.e. the open E notes on those strings. You have tightened all the tuning nuts too much, now the changer finger does not have room to both raise and lower. For example, on string 4, loosen all 3 nuts, then tighten the red one enough so that the changer finger is straight, not at an angle. Then tune the open E note at the keyhead.

Now push the C pedal and use the correct tuning nut to tune it to F#. Then push the F lever and tune that note with it's tuning nut.
Go back and retune the open note at the keyhead, then push the lever that lowers the string, use the red nut to tune that note.

If you find that you are not able to tune one of the notes, the problem is with the resting position of the changer finger, re-adjust it, with the red tuning nut, and start the whole process over. With some trial and error, you should be able to get it right.

Ian Worley · From: Sacramento, CA

where in California are you Alex?

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