The Steel Guitar Forum Store 

Post new topic Can't Lower String 2 A Whole Step with RKR
Reply to topic
Author Topic:  Can't Lower String 2 A Whole Step with RKR
Jeff Rady

 

From:
Colorado, USA
Post  Posted 23 Jul 2017 7:08 am    
Reply with quote

Hi Steel Players, I'm having trouble getting my 2nd string to drop a whole step with my RKR engaged all the way, I just installed a pedal train on string #9 to get the half step bump.

The problem I'm having is when I engage RKR all the way it won't lower string 2 a whole step, it'll get close not quite there, so when I try to use my alan key to tune the nut to get it to drop to C# the whole tuning of the string drops.

What should I do?

Thanks! Jeff
_________________
Williams Guitar Purveyor, Owner of jeffsguitarandsteel.com
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Jon Light


From:
Saugerties, NY
Post  Posted 23 Jul 2017 7:48 am    
Reply with quote

Before I spend time describing the procedure, can you confirm that this is a Williams guitar?
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Lane Gray


From:
Topeka, KS
Post  Posted 23 Jul 2017 8:17 am    
Reply with quote

He said he bought it from Bill. I'll take his word for it.
I just got off the phone with Jeff.
He needs to add a scoche more travel to the lever; how does he adjust the stop?
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Yahoo Messenger

Jon Light


From:
Saugerties, NY
Post  Posted 23 Jul 2017 8:34 am    
Reply with quote

Lane Gray wrote:
.....He said he bought it from Bill. I'll take his word for it......

I don't see that info anywhere. Whatever.

I've never been underneath a Williams and I can't make heads or tails out of the stop on the reversing lever. This needs someone who knows Williams. Yes, it needs increased travel.







Left-moving lever stop is simple.


View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Lane Gray


From:
Topeka, KS
Post  Posted 23 Jul 2017 10:51 am    
Reply with quote

Jon, I didn't mean to be snippy, but he'd posted on FB, where he confirmed it and then we spoke on the phone.
I was trying to be flippant, but it came off snarky.

The stop does look a bit confusing in the picture.
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Yahoo Messenger

Jon Light


From:
Saugerties, NY
Post  Posted 23 Jul 2017 12:08 pm    
Reply with quote

all cool
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Jim Bob Sedgwick

 

From:
Clinton, Missouri USA
Post  Posted 24 Jul 2017 1:24 pm    
Reply with quote

Dave Knight had this problem on an older Williams guitar.
He told me the guitar had this problem since it was brand new. The solution was putting a longer bell crank on the guitar for this string. Problem solved. Smile
View user's profile Send private message

Jim Bob Sedgwick

 

From:
Clinton, Missouri USA
Post  Posted 24 Jul 2017 1:24 pm    
Reply with quote

Dave Knight had this problem on an older Williams guitar.
He told me the guitar had this problem since it was brand new. The solution was putting a longer bell crank on the guitar for this string. Problem solved. Smile
View user's profile Send private message

Jerry Overstreet


From:
Louisville Ky
Post  Posted 24 Jul 2017 2:06 pm    
Reply with quote

I used to have one of these and I moved stuff around quite a bit, but it's been a while.

I think all you have to do for more travel is loosen the lock nut on that linkage rod you see in the nice photos that Jon provided there, adjust the rod length, then re-adjust the tilt on the KL.

I can't tell, but I don't remember there being a stop screw on the KL hub. You can see the nylon bumper there.

Mine was an earlier model, but the mechanics are the same and I had the changes that you refer to on that one plus another one, easily.

You don't say whether you were already lowering the 2nd string a whole tone before you installed the 9th string drop, so that would be helpful to know.

Also, make sure you have the split screw at the end of the neck backed out enough to accomplish your longest lowers on both 2 and 9. On second thought, check those first for proper clearance before you do anything else


A call to Bill Rudolph at Williams guitars might be the best action.


Last edited by Jerry Overstreet on 24 Jul 2017 4:28 pm; edited 1 time in total
View user's profile Send private message

Tony Glassman


From:
The Great Northwest
Post  Posted 24 Jul 2017 3:11 pm    
Reply with quote

Have you adjusted the pull rod bell crank and changer position choices to favor a shorter (albeit stiffer) throw. (i.e. bell-crank = farther from cross shaft & changer = closer to axle)?
View user's profile Send private message

Dick Wood


From:
Springtown Texas, USA
Post  Posted 24 Jul 2017 3:56 pm    
Reply with quote

The lever travel is fixed so move the 2nd string pullrod to the 5th hole away from the cross shaft and it should give you more than enough range tuning with the hex nut.
_________________
Cops aren't paid much so I steel at night.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Lane Gray


From:
Topeka, KS
Post  Posted 24 Jul 2017 8:31 pm    
Reply with quote

The lever travel is fixed, but the return point is adjustable. Bill calls it the "slack adjuster screw".
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Yahoo Messenger

Jon Light


From:
Saugerties, NY
Post  Posted 25 Jul 2017 3:17 am    
Reply with quote

Yeah---Fessendens use this method on the pedals with a slightly different hardware approach. If there's room to create more slack on the cross shaft, that would certainly achieve more pull.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Lane Gray


From:
Topeka, KS
Post  Posted 25 Jul 2017 3:36 am    
Reply with quote

On my Zum, there's a similar fitting for the knees. Some have them with tabs and screws on both sides, if there's not a convenient place to mount the travel stop for the knee.
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Yahoo Messenger

Dick Wood


From:
Springtown Texas, USA
Post  Posted 25 Jul 2017 8:36 am    
Reply with quote

Interesting, as my 2006 Williams doesn't have the piece in the picture. Mine works fine with the rod where I suggested.
_________________
Cops aren't paid much so I steel at night.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Dick Wood


From:
Springtown Texas, USA
Post  Posted 26 Jul 2017 10:44 am    
Reply with quote

I didn't see Jerry's comment until now about the split screw which is a very possible cause so check it too.
_________________
Cops aren't paid much so I steel at night.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Lane Gray


From:
Topeka, KS
Post  Posted 26 Jul 2017 11:51 am    
Reply with quote

Dick, Jeff reported that he has tapped holes, but no screws.
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Yahoo Messenger

Dick Wood


From:
Springtown Texas, USA
Post  Posted 26 Jul 2017 12:01 pm    
Reply with quote

10-4
_________________
Cops aren't paid much so I steel at night.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website


All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Jump to:  

Our Online Catalog
Strings, CDs, instruction,
steel guitars & accessories

www.SteelGuitarShopper.com

Please review our Forum Rules and Policies

Steel Guitar Forum LLC
PO Box 237
Mount Horeb, WI 53572 USA


Click Here to Send a Donation

Email admin@steelguitarforum.com for technical support.


BIAB Styles
Ray Price Shuffles for
Band-in-a-Box

by Jim Baron
HTTP