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Topic: Another SKH mystery! P8 |
Roger Rettig
From:
Naples, FL
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Posted 11 Dec 2023 5:59 am |
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What could be happening??
Pedal 8, string 10.
According to the SKH Rodding Chart, this pull is assigned correctly (B/C hole 1, changer: hole 2) but I cannot get the note to drop to an A!
A# is the best I can do.
I checked the split-tune screw and it's backed out.
'Puzzled in Naples'.....
(It's not stopping my enjoyment of this guitar because I rarely use P8: I'll raise the 3rd string for a 6/major and I don't often need that #9! I'd like to get it right, though.)
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Roger Rettig: Emmons D10, Quilter TT-12 & TT-15, B-bender Teles and Martins - and, at last, a Gibson Super 400!
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Dale Rottacker
From:
Walla Walla Washington, USA
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 11 Dec 2023 7:05 am
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Common causes:
Overtuned
String gauge too small
Lower-return spring too tight or too loose
Obstruction (string end) in changer
Lack of lubrication
Insufficient pedal travel
Or maybe the guitar has just gotten tired of you making changes.  |
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Roger Rettig
From:
Naples, FL
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Posted 11 Dec 2023 8:50 am
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Donny!!! I protest! 
All I've done on this one is switch from 'Emmons' to 'Day'. Honestly!
I don't think the C neck has been tuned up for many years.
_________________
Roger Rettig: Emmons D10, Quilter TT-12 & TT-15, B-bender Teles and Martins - and, at last, a Gibson Super 400!
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Roger Rettig
From:
Naples, FL
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Posted 11 Dec 2023 9:04 am
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I've lubed it: I'll check later.
Dialysis now, so it won't get worked on until tomorrow.
The 10th string still raises on P5. At first it only lowered to an A3: now it won't lower at all!
I can't see a string-end. The gauge looks correct.
I'll check and see if the rod is tightened onto the bell-crank, too.
_________________
Roger Rettig: Emmons D10, Quilter TT-12 & TT-15, B-bender Teles and Martins - and, at last, a Gibson Super 400!
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Bobby D. Jones
From:
West Virginia, USA
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Posted 11 Dec 2023 8:48 pm
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Something may have moved or slipped, Or a stop needs to be moved. Or string not proper diameter.
The chart showing the pull rod in the B/C in the 1st hole, Is hole No.1 the closest to the cross rod, Or farthest from cross rod. The farther the pull rod is from the cross rod, The longer the pull on the changer lever.
Good Luck in finding the problem and a solution. |
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Roger Rettig
From:
Naples, FL
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Posted 12 Dec 2023 4:27 am
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Thanks, Bobby.
All I had tried to do was fine-tune that C-A drop on 10. I barely touched it but it wouldn't tune up. Somewhere in the process, it stopped lowering at at.
I upended the guitar and saw the lower spring extended! I had overturned it, I guess, but I'm convinced I barely touched it.
I released some tension on that spring, pulled the rod out and inserted it into the BC again (not so far this time).
The spring is back at rest and, miraculously, it's working again.
Thanks for all input!
_________________
Roger Rettig: Emmons D10, Quilter TT-12 & TT-15, B-bender Teles and Martins - and, at last, a Gibson Super 400!
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Frank Freniere
From:
The First Coast
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Posted 12 Dec 2023 7:03 am
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It's been enjoyable and inspiring to watch your confidence grow tackling mechanical issues on the Forum, Roger. If this keeps up, you may have a burgeoning career as a steel tech, at least as a LeGrande specialist.
Perhaps you could make lemonade (fixing LeGrandes) out of lemons (your health issues) despite not being able to play out! |
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Roger Rettig
From:
Naples, FL
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Posted 12 Dec 2023 9:40 am
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Frank:
Many thanks for your kind response!
'Lemonade from lemons': I love it!
To be honest, there's a problem on my LG3 that has proved 'a bridge too far'. It'll be in more capable hands than mine soon. I did try, though.
This SKH has surprised me! I've never owned a P/P but I've heard a few: this guitar is reminiscent of that sound. It's a bit short of KLs, but there's still lots of music I can get out of it and the tone is fantastic.
Health and retirement: I'm surprised to find that I'm feeling better about my situation each day. Yes, I miss playing with other musicians, but I am very happy with my lot here. Much better players than me have just scratched the surface of steel guitar, so I have plenty to occupy me. There's much to learn and some lovely instruments on which to do it.
Thanks again for your nice reply.
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Roger Rettig: Emmons D10, Quilter TT-12 & TT-15, B-bender Teles and Martins - and, at last, a Gibson Super 400!
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Patrick Timmins
From:
Seattle
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Posted 12 Dec 2023 10:17 am
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I just had a Legrand II on the bench yesterday. It was in excellent shape with only a few minor issues (and an interesting copedent). One was that a lower was dragging the raise finger along with it leading to unstable pitch changes and not reaching the intended lower. I lubed the finger mechanism and it was still pulling a raise when activating the lower. There was a raise helper spring installed on that string. I removed the helper spring and presto! Stable guitar again. Not sure why the helper spring was installed in that location as it certainly wasn't needed, may have been a leftover from a different copedent since this copedent was unique. I really love working on PSGs, and the more I work on them, the more I realize they are all unique.
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Microphones, Recording, and lots of pedal steel guitars! |
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Ron Pruter
From:
Arizona, USA
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Posted 12 Dec 2023 4:23 pm
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When I got my used skh I couldn't drop 10 a whole step with my franklin ped.
I removed my pull rod on 10 and found it was scraping something inside the changer. I wound up taking the changer off. I was then able to see where that finger was scraping the side of the housing.I got my Dremel and sanded away the aluminum in that area about an1 /8"deep. No one could ever see it. It worked perfectly ever since. 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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Roger Rettig
From:
Naples, FL
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Posted 12 Dec 2023 6:18 pm
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Ron
I spoke too soon. It was working fine then, inexplicably, it fails to lower.
At one point, the rod came loose from the bellcrank (my fault: not tight enough) so that was a simple fix. Then, it wouldn't drop at all, and suddenly dropped all the way to a G!
After reading your post, I'm wondering if I have a similar problem to the one you had.
Taking out the changer??? That sounds tricky!
_________________
Roger Rettig: Emmons D10, Quilter TT-12 & TT-15, B-bender Teles and Martins - and, at last, a Gibson Super 400!
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Ron Pruter
From:
Arizona, USA
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Posted 12 Dec 2023 6:25 pm
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Yes Roger it was very detailed but I learned years ago, while rebuilding a '55 Ford, label every part and document everything you do when dismantling. Nowadays you can even take pictures.
BTW, you are still the Always, Patsy, longevity KING. 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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Roger Rettig
From:
Naples, FL
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Posted 13 Dec 2023 6:06 am
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Ron:
I have solved the 'mystery', but only up to a point.
When I tried to hex-tune that pull (P8/string 10), it wouldn't turn. It's as though the hex is fused to the rod and any attempt to turn it just puts too much strain on that set-screw in the bell-crank; it breaks loose and I have no pull at all (obviously).
I found that the pull either descended to a G (!!) or something even lower. I cheated, and screwed the split-tuner in so it wouldn't pass the A note. That worked - briefly.
Then I found it had become unsecured from the B/C - again.
Desperate measures were called for and duly instigated.
Unable to free that 'frozen' hex-nut from the rod, I found the one spare SKH rod I had. (This was because, when I got the guitar last week, the 1st had been tuned to a G; using a D on top, I don't need that raise on the first string, hence the spare rod.)
Now I have fitted that P5 rod to P8, and everything tunes up beautifully. I'll admit that the rod protrudes a few inches beyond the P8 bell-crank but this solution wouldn't have been an option on a later LeGrande with the newer 14-hole cranks.
I'm out of jail!
_________________
Roger Rettig: Emmons D10, Quilter TT-12 & TT-15, B-bender Teles and Martins - and, at last, a Gibson Super 400!
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