6th String Lower On Emmons LeGrande II
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Paul King
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6th String Lower On Emmons LeGrande II
I changed a pull on my Emmons LeGrande II from the 7th string raise to the 6th string lower. I have the lever pulling a whole tone like the Emmons setup. My problem is when I engage the lever and release, the string is out of tune. It only happens when I use that lever. I do not know what to do to correct the problem. Bobbe Seymore told me to make sure the rollers were turning freely. I have oiled and they are free. Any advice would be greatly appreciated...Paul King
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Bob Tuttle
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Dave Robbins
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As Bob said, it very well could be the return spring. A good indicator would be if after releasing the lever the string returns "flat" to pitch.
On the other hand, if it were to return sharp (from a lowewr), it could mean that your return compensator needs to be adjusted. If your guitar does not have a return compensator or a compensator kit, that would be something you would need to install to correct the string hysterisis or over run.
There could be other factors too, such as the nut rollers, a bad string etc, but if you've recently added the sixth lower, it more than likely will be the return spring. Just crank in another turn or two on the spring.
Looking at the guitar upside down while applying/releasing the lever (from the lower), you should be able to see if the finger comes back in place all the way or not. If it does not, apply a little pressure with your finger after releasing the lever and see if the changer finger is coming back all the way in place or not. If it doesn't, crank in a turn or two on the return spring until it does seat. Too much tension on the return spring can cause the lever to feel stiff. Only add as much spring tension as is needed to seat the changer finger back in place solidly after lowering and releasing.
And remember, on an all pull guitar like this the "raise" is the true pitch. Always check the tuning from the raise first. If it is not returning true from a lower, but you tune it back to pitch, the first time you "raise" the string it is going to return sharp. It twill be the lower that is the problem and not the raise. When tuning, it is always a good idea to check the raises first, then the lowers, and recheck again from the raise, to check for this type of a problem.
Hope this helps. Goodluck,
Dave
On the other hand, if it were to return sharp (from a lowewr), it could mean that your return compensator needs to be adjusted. If your guitar does not have a return compensator or a compensator kit, that would be something you would need to install to correct the string hysterisis or over run.
There could be other factors too, such as the nut rollers, a bad string etc, but if you've recently added the sixth lower, it more than likely will be the return spring. Just crank in another turn or two on the spring.
Looking at the guitar upside down while applying/releasing the lever (from the lower), you should be able to see if the finger comes back in place all the way or not. If it does not, apply a little pressure with your finger after releasing the lever and see if the changer finger is coming back all the way in place or not. If it doesn't, crank in a turn or two on the return spring until it does seat. Too much tension on the return spring can cause the lever to feel stiff. Only add as much spring tension as is needed to seat the changer finger back in place solidly after lowering and releasing.
And remember, on an all pull guitar like this the "raise" is the true pitch. Always check the tuning from the raise first. If it is not returning true from a lower, but you tune it back to pitch, the first time you "raise" the string it is going to return sharp. It twill be the lower that is the problem and not the raise. When tuning, it is always a good idea to check the raises first, then the lowers, and recheck again from the raise, to check for this type of a problem.
Hope this helps. Goodluck,
Dave
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C Dixon
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I have a similar problem from time to time on my LeGrande. It happens on BOTH necks on different strings. Turns out it is very tight tolerances of the changer finger and the axle and/or adjacent separator rings.
A drop of an oil bead on either side of the offending changer finger; then working the pedal (or knee lever) vigorously cures it everytime.
IF this is the problem, you can usually tell prior to it happening, because when the string is released from lowering, it comes back slowly. Then it won't come all the way back at all.
However if it isn't slow coming back; rather it just comes back flat, it is proabably the return spring needs to be tightened a little bit.
These return springs are not easily adjusted; in that the head of the screw is covered up. A really poor design IMO. The following is what Mac Atcheson showed me:
1. Use a metal crocheting needle to unhook and hold the spring.
2. Use a small blade scewdriver inserted in the screw slot sideways to keep it from turning.
3. Twist the needle clockwise or counterclockwise (as viewed from the left end of the guitar) to tighten or loosen the spring.
Good luck, and may Jesus bless you in your quests,
carl
A drop of an oil bead on either side of the offending changer finger; then working the pedal (or knee lever) vigorously cures it everytime.
IF this is the problem, you can usually tell prior to it happening, because when the string is released from lowering, it comes back slowly. Then it won't come all the way back at all.
However if it isn't slow coming back; rather it just comes back flat, it is proabably the return spring needs to be tightened a little bit.
These return springs are not easily adjusted; in that the head of the screw is covered up. A really poor design IMO. The following is what Mac Atcheson showed me:
1. Use a metal crocheting needle to unhook and hold the spring.
2. Use a small blade scewdriver inserted in the screw slot sideways to keep it from turning.
3. Twist the needle clockwise or counterclockwise (as viewed from the left end of the guitar) to tighten or loosen the spring.
Good luck, and may Jesus bless you in your quests,
carl
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Paul King
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Tonight I tried the lever again. The string does come up flat. I will look at the spring and see if the finger is returning back to the normal position. I have played for several years but I have almost no experience in maintenance on these guitars. I have never really had a problem with the pulls. I guess I have had good guitars down through the years. The one I have now I traded for and I have had to make changes to get it back to the standard setup. Man have I learned a lot and have more respect for these builders than ever before....Paul King