Pull/Release E9 6th string G#, wound or plain?

Dave Zirbel · From: Sebastopol, CA USA

I'm going to be setting up a pull/release this weekend. Is a wound 6th string on E9 preferred for balancing pulls easier?

Thanks

Dave
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Ian Rae · From: Redditch, England

It doesn't necessarily make it easier - it depends what was on there before and what choice of bell crank holes you have.

I used to have a pull-release with a wound 6th, and it sounded great. That may have been because of the single-coil pickup which gave it a bit of growl, but I suggest you try it.
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Dave Zirbel · From: Sebastopol, CA USA

Thanks Ian.👍
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Gene Tani · From: Pac NW

Doug Earnest recommends .022 W on Stage ones but maybe different from what you ahve

https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=237987
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K Maul · From: Hadley, NY/Hobe Sound, FL

Generally pull-releases need a wound 6th.
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richard burton · From: Britain

I use a wound sixth an all my steels, including my pull-release Marlen.

Wound sixth strings have far better tuning stability than plain sixths, but bear in mind that a lot more changer finger travel is necessary, and if you are lowering the string a tone, then a lot of slack is necessary in the 'B' pedal linkage.

I lower my sixth a full tone, but by using a helper spring, I reduced the pressure needed to active the 'B' pedal, which allowed me to shorten the pedal 'throw', thus reducing the amount of slack needed in the lowering chain.

Dave Zirbel · From: Sebastopol, CA USA

I was afraid that was the case. My E9 style of playing likes the quick response of the plain string, but I’ll give the wound a try. Balanced pulls and tone are not overrated! 🎶

I’ve been intrigued by the pull/release for awhile. I have an old homemade D-10 perm, and plenty of time to work on it since all gigs are canceled. My first steel was a Maverick but I didn’t know anything and the internet didn’t exist!

Thanks guys
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Larry Bressington · From: Nebraska

What does 'Pull release' mean? is that different to all pull?
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Ian Rae · From: Redditch, England

Totally different. It's the earliest form of changer. The fingers rest on a tunable backstop and the pedal pulls against the cutout to raise and releases back. So you can have ABC pedals. Tune at the keyhead with pedals down, then at the tail with them up!

If you want to lower a string you have a spring holding it in the raised position, and the pedal (or lever) works against the spring using a see-saw crank.

Great tone and rock-solid tuning. But you can't raise and lower the same string without introducing a lot of slack and losing the simplicity. All-pull is the solution but also a compromise.
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Larry Bressington · From: Nebraska

Ah yes thanks Ian, I remember now, I think the MSA little Baron had that, I do remember the tuning situation

Wound 6th....
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Ian Rae · From: Redditch, England

To be honest I think it's the best thing to start on - you have to concentrate on the basics 'cos that's all you have!

My first guitar was pull-release. It wasn't a student model - far from it - it was a D10 with eight pedals. It was just very old!
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Bob Carlucci · From: Candor, New York, USA

I have always used a plain #6 string on my p/r Marlen,, Just as I would with an all pull guitar...

I have used plain string on any p/r guitar I have ever owned or worked on,, Never an issue of any kind.. If you like a plain 6th, use it... bob
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Ian Rae · From: Redditch, England

It's a matter of taste, absolutely.

I loved the sound of the wound on my old D10; but on my modern uni 12s it has to be plain because that's the 4th string of the 6th tuning.
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b0b · From: Cloverdale, CA, USA

The wound string syncs up better with the 3rd string pull on many older guitars. The plain 6th has a much shorter pull than the 3rd string. Whether you can use it depends on the guitar. You may have to use a different bell crank with more holes to make a plain 6th work properly, or (worst case) drill a higher hole in the changer finger. The plain string will definitely not work on a Carter Starter. It might work on a Sho~Bud Maverick, which uses a yoke pulling system.

Historically, the plain 6th became popular when people started lowering the string to F# on a lever. It was too long of a pull for the wound string. Builders started using bell cranks with more holes to accommodate the change.
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Dave Zirbel · From: Sebastopol, CA USA

Yeah I already changed gears in my mind and will start with the plain. I have Shobud two hole pullers(bellcranks) and the fingers have three hole options....

I talked to a friend of mine that has two pull/releases, one that he built himself, and has no problem with the plain....

I will report back😁

Thanks again
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Sierra S-10 (Built by Ross Shafer),ZB, Fender 400 guitars, various tube and SS amps

Ian Rae · From: Redditch, England

When I built my first Kline-system uni I made sure that the mechanism would accommodate lowering a wound 6th to F#, but it just didn't sound right in the new context.
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Dave Zirbel · From: Sebastopol, CA USA

I managed to get my A and B pedal hooked up, using a plain for string 6 G#. It’s good but I may try to dial it in more since I still have more leverage options.

https://youtu.be/PdeRAAwBoug

There is something sonically special about pull/release guitars.

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Ian Rae · From: Redditch, England

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