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Topic: Pedal rods and keeping consistent length |
Tim Windsor
From: South Australia, Australia
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Posted 13 Oct 2022 12:04 am
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The nuts on my pedal rods tend to loosen and move around when I put my guitar in and out of its case, making it difficult to keep the length stable. I’m reluctant to try and tighten them too hard as I’d hate to damage something. I was wondering what techniques people use to keep their rod hardware in place? |
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Tony Prior
From: Charlotte NC
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Posted 13 Oct 2022 1:26 am
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Pedal Rods, I misread... _________________ Emmons L-II , Fender Telecasters, B-Benders , Eastman Mandolin ,
Pro Tools 12 on WIN 7 !
jobless- but not homeless- now retired 9 years
CURRENT MUSIC TRACKS AT > https://tprior2241.wixsite.com/website
Last edited by Tony Prior on 13 Oct 2022 12:00 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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John Hyland
From: South Australia
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Posted 13 Oct 2022 1:35 am
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The end should have a second locking nut and when tighter shouldn’t move. |
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Richard Sinkler
From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 13 Oct 2022 3:28 am
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By "pedal rod", I assume you mean the rod that goes from the pedal to the guitar. Don't be afraid to tighten that nut against the ball joint connector. While adding a 2nd nut as was suggested will help, in 52 years and 8 guitars, I have never seen a guitar that had 2 nuts on the pedal rods, and don't really think it's necessary. I tighten the nut while the rod is attached to the pedal. Never had one come loose.
If you mean the rods that activate the changer (actually called pull rods), then Tony hit it on the head. Get new nylon tuners (if that is what your guitar uses) and thread them onto the pull rod. The rod will cut the threads. It will be hard, but it is the best method in my opinion. _________________ 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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Donny Hinson
From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Tim Windsor
From: South Australia, Australia
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Posted 13 Oct 2022 11:58 am
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Thanks very much for your advice everyone. It is the issue that Richard initially mentions- I’ll tighten the nut harder against the ball joint connector and see how I go. |
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Jon Light
From: Saugerties, NY
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Posted 13 Oct 2022 12:20 pm
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Tim -- it's a fine line between tightening enough and overtightening. Short of a torque wrench, there's no good way to describe the right amount of force. But in this case, when the wrench feels like it's tight, another little squeeze....all of a 16th of turn, maybe....snugs it up and it won't go anywhere. |
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John Hyland
From: South Australia
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Posted 13 Oct 2022 12:35 pm
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When I said a “second” nut I didn’t mean TWO locking nuts. I thought maybe you had lost THE locking nut. |
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Jim Sliff
From: Lawndale California, USA
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Posted 13 Oct 2022 1:39 pm
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I use drop of loctite or even superglue (which has no shear strength and nuts turn with a wrench but dont work themselves loose) _________________ No chops, but great tone
1930's/40's Rickenbacher/Rickenbacker 6&8 string lap steels
1921 Weissenborn Style 2; Hilo&Schireson hollownecks
Appalachian, Regal & Dobro squarenecks
1959 Fender 400 9+2 B6;1960's Fender 800 3+3+2; 1948 Fender Dual-8 Professional |
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Bobby D. Jones
From: West Virginia, USA
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Posted 13 Oct 2022 3:19 pm
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Check the threads on the rod, In the connector and the lock nut. If someone put vasoline or some sort of grease or thick oil in the threads, Could be the problem.
Take the problem rods outside for safety, clean the rod, connector and lock nut threads with lighter fluid, Acetone or some other oil and grease cutter and dry them. Then adjust and tighten the lock nut snug.
Loc-Tite will not help if the threads have oil or grease in them. |
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Tim Windsor
From: South Australia, Australia
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Posted 14 Oct 2022 2:00 am
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Thanks all- it is a relatively new guitar so I think I just need to tighten the nuts with a bit more authority. If they don’t hold I’ll try some loc tite or glue. |
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