Push-pull lower return springs or no?

Ivan Funk · From: Hamburg Pennsylvania, USA

For an Emmons push-pull, on strings that don't lower, is it better to use the return spring or use the lowers tuning screw to keep the lower finger in contact to the body?
Does one method sound better than the other?

Marty Broussard · From: Broussard, Louisiana, USA

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Jeremy Reeves · From: Chatham, IL, USA

I've experimented with that and haven't noticed a difference

Ivan Funk · From: Hamburg Pennsylvania, USA

Thanks Jeremy.
Good to know.

Jon Light · From: Saugerties, NY

I'm too new to my PP to have drawn any conclusions yet but I've also experimented with this. I had to replace a couple of screws because they weren't long enough. Knowing me & my ears, it is unlikely that I'll hear anything significant but just the idea of locking down a finger that isn't going anywhere has appeal.

Jack Stanton · From: Somewhere in the swamps of Jersey

My 2 cents, I prefer to have them sitting on the tuning screw. One of the features that contributes to the sound and the sustain of the push pull is that fact that the raises and lowers bottom out against the body, creating more vibrations. Having one or two fingers suspended may not make a huge difference, but every little bit helps. Your mileage may vary...

Ivan Funk · From: Hamburg Pennsylvania, USA

Thanks guys.
Good info.
Yes I agree that finger to body contact is crucial for tone and tuning stability.
No fingers are floating.
The question started because I stole the spring off finger 3 (which doesn't lower) to make a half stop feel on string 2 (there are other discussions about that).
I turned the lowers tuning screw on finger 3 all the way in to hold finger 3 up against the body.
So I wondered what the original design intended.
I'm guessing that using the springs to ensure contact was the factory set up?

Mike Vallandigham · From: Martinez, CA

If you don't have the return spring on, then the finger is pulled all the way back. Then you have weird geometry, plus the string ball pin is at a high upward angle.

I got a PP set up that way on string one, and I put that spring back on, pronto. It was for a full raise, which I've never had, used or wanted.

And I do think the fingers need to be against the cabinet for toanz.

Ivan Funk · From: Hamburg Pennsylvania, USA

Right.
No fingers are against the "back" or floating.
The one finger with no spring is held forward against the body by running the lowering tuning screw all the way in.

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