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Topic: Tuning my Fessenden |
Scott Spanbauer
From:
Boulder, Colorado, USA
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Posted 22 Nov 2019 9:46 am |
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Hey all,
I recently purchased a used Fessenden SD-10 3X5, after playing only an Emmons GS-10 3X1 for years. I'm having a number of issues (cabinet drop, knee levers work different with pedals engaged, pedals don't work smoothly). It's just barely playable.
I'm guessing the changer is gummed up and I'll need to take it apart (it came already awash in Triflow) but I need to start with just getting this guitar in tune. Don't want to bother Jerry more than I have to, so can someone point me to a tuning guide for a Fessy like this? I'm new to the all-pull world and lots of levers, and all I have is my old copy of Winnie Winston's book.
Thank you. Scott
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Carter D10, Emmons GS10, T8 Stringmaster, 50s Fender Deluxe
johnnyblueheart.com |
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Ron Pruter
From:
Arizona, USA
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Posted 22 Nov 2019 10:10 am
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Hi Scott. First thing that comes to mind is (over tuning) and dirty, old strings. On Over tuning, check out Jon Lights sticky note at the beginning of this page. RP
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Emmons SKH Le Grande, '73 Fender P/J bass, Tick tack bass, Regal high strung, USA Nashville 112. |
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Scott Spanbauer
From:
Boulder, Colorado, USA
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Posted 22 Nov 2019 1:48 pm
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That is what I needed!
Thanks Ron.
Scott
_________________
Carter D10, Emmons GS10, T8 Stringmaster, 50s Fender Deluxe
johnnyblueheart.com |
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Scott Spanbauer
From:
Boulder, Colorado, USA
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Posted 7 Dec 2019 5:50 pm
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I am back, having studied and applied the overtuning/undertuning guide. Even learned how to use the split tuning screws. Everything is now great with one exception: RKL lowers the Bs to Bb. But if I have A and B down, RKL only drops the Bs about a quarter tone. As soon as A and B come up, the lever works fine again.
I think I've tried every combination of adding/removing slack from the lever rods using the nylon nut and adjusting the lever stop screw but no joy. I don't see any other way to adjust this split, unfortunately.
This is again where I start to think that there may be friction inside the changer between fingers 5 and 6 that is causing this issue. Any thoughts?
Thanks again for pondering my conundrum.
Scott
_________________
Carter D10, Emmons GS10, T8 Stringmaster, 50s Fender Deluxe
johnnyblueheart.com |
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Bill Moore
From:
Manchester, Michigan
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Posted 7 Dec 2019 6:35 pm
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Make sure that you follow the correct tuning sequence;
Back off the split screw a few turns, back off the tuning nut for the A pedal a few turns, then tune the open B note at the keyhead.
Tune the A pedal raise with it's tuning nut.
Tune the lever that lowers 1/2 step with it's tuning nut, this should be tuned about 1/4 tone lower then it should be. Now use the split screw to raise the note to Bd.
Now you need to tune the split; activate the lever that lowers to Bb, step on the A and B pedals, then use the tuning nut for the Bb lever to to tune the split. |
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Scott Spanbauer
From:
Boulder, Colorado, USA
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Posted 8 Dec 2019 7:31 am
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This is starting to make sense. Unlike other Fessendens I see in photos on the forum, mine has no split screws for strings 5 and 10, just 2, 6 and 9. Looks like I may need to add them.
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Carter D10, Emmons GS10, T8 Stringmaster, 50s Fender Deluxe
johnnyblueheart.com |
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Bill Moore
From:
Manchester, Michigan
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Posted 8 Dec 2019 8:38 am
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The screws at string 2 and 9 are used to get the feel stop in string 2, not for splits. Tune it like this;
Tune open notes for both strings.
Tune the full tone lower on string 2 with the tuning nut.
Tune the 9th string lower at the tuning nut. Tune it about a 1/4 tone lower then normal. Then raise to the correct pitch with the screw.
Now tune the feel stop on 2 by adjusting the tuning nut on string 9.
It takes some practice, but you can get away without the split on 5 by learning to half-pedal the A pedal. |
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Scott Spanbauer
From:
Boulder, Colorado, USA
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Posted 8 Dec 2019 8:41 am
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Thank you Bill!
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Carter D10, Emmons GS10, T8 Stringmaster, 50s Fender Deluxe
johnnyblueheart.com |
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Jim Pitman
From:
Waterbury Ctr. VT 05677 USA
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Posted 12 Dec 2019 4:53 pm
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| The cabinet of a Fessy i owned in the past swelled up due to humidity level change. This pinched the axles that hold the pullers. All axles need a little end play. With guitar upside down, grab them and move them (perpendicular to the strings). If they don't move a little end to end, unscrew the strip that runs along the back apron. this strip acts as a stop. If your problems go away, voila. I wound up using washers under each screw to stand off that strip by about 0.025". |
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Scott Spanbauer
From:
Boulder, Colorado, USA
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Posted 12 Dec 2019 5:34 pm
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| Jim Pitman wrote: |
| The cabinet of a Fessy i owned in the past swelled up due to humidity level change. This pinched the axles that hold the pullers. All axles need a little end play. With guitar upside down, grab them and move them (perpendicular to the strings). If they don't move a little end to end, unscrew the strip that runs along the back apron. this strip acts as a stop. If your problems go away, voila. I wound up using washers under each screw to stand off that strip by about 0.025". |
I live in the land of dry (Colorado--no fleas, no mildew), but will check this out ASAP. Thank you!
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Carter D10, Emmons GS10, T8 Stringmaster, 50s Fender Deluxe
johnnyblueheart.com |
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David Nugent
From:
Gum Spring, Va.
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Posted 13 Dec 2019 6:18 am
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| Most modern guitars(unless otherwise specified at time of build) are set at the factory with the RKL raising strings 1&2 and lowering string 6. The B to Bb changes are normally positioned on the LKV, how does your vertical lever function? |
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Scott Spanbauer
From:
Boulder, Colorado, USA
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Posted 13 Dec 2019 12:10 pm
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| David Nugent wrote: |
| Most modern guitars(unless otherwise specified at time of build) are set at the factory with the RKL raising strings 1&2 and lowering string 6. The B to Bb changes are normally positioned on the LKV, how does your vertical lever function? |
On this guitar, RKL lowers both Bs to Bb. LKV lowers 6 and raises 1 (but not 2). B lowers would make more sense on LKV to get that minor chord with AB down.
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Carter D10, Emmons GS10, T8 Stringmaster, 50s Fender Deluxe
johnnyblueheart.com |
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Scott Spanbauer
From:
Boulder, Colorado, USA
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Posted 14 Dec 2019 12:24 pm
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In other words, the standard Buddy Emmons E9th copedant (https://b0b.com/wp/copedents/buddy-emmons-e9th/) except with LKV and RKL swapped. I wonder why someone would prefer that?
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Carter D10, Emmons GS10, T8 Stringmaster, 50s Fender Deluxe
johnnyblueheart.com |
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 14 Dec 2019 2:39 pm
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| Scott Spanbauer wrote: |
| In other words, the standard Buddy Emmons E9th copedant (https://b0b.com/wp/copedents/buddy-emmons-e9th/) except with LKV and RKL swapped. I wonder why someone would prefer that? |
It's all just personal preference. I raise my F#'s to G on my vertical. My B's to Bb are on my second LKL, but that is soon to be changed. I just don't use the B to Bb changes.
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Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 54 years and still counting. |
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