12 string dumb ?? #1

Larry Strawn · Post by **Larry Strawn** » 9 Apr 2006 7:31 pm

The tuning, and co-pedent
chart that was in this guitar case when I bought this Fessy today shows the 9th string being a B, raising up to a D with the same lever that lowers #2 a half step.

I can just barely get this 9th string to pull into a C#, have I got something out of adjustment, or should the 9th string be something other than a B?

The Gentleman who owned this guitar passed away about 4 yrs. ago and it has been just sitting in the case, I've been lubing things up and working them, just wondering if I need to just continue to clean and lube, or look else where? Thanx

Larry

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 9 Apr 2006 8:27 pm

Larry, B is the correct note for the 9th string, pulling up a tone and 1/2 to D. This is a common change on most modern Uni 12's. You probably know this already, but the 9th string does dual duty by voicing both the 9th and 10th string notes of the 10 string E9th.
Don't know much about the Fessenden guitar, but I'm sure it should accomodate this change with ease. Sounds like a possible leverage problem or perhaps not enough travel at the KL stop. Perhaps some other Fess. owners can info you on the proper crank/changer locations.

Good luck w/your 12 string progress!

[This message was edited by Jerry Overstreet on 09 April 2006 at 09:31 PM.]

David Doggett · Post by **David Doggett** » 9 Apr 2006 9:36 pm

You may need to move the pull rod to a bell crank slot further from the body to give that rod enough throw for that raise. Contact Larry Bell. He has a Fessy with that change.

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Student of the Steel: Zum uni, Fender tube amps, squareneck and roundneck resos, tenor sax, keyboards

Larry Strawn · Post by **Larry Strawn** » 9 Apr 2006 9:51 pm

Thanks Guys,,
This is really a nice guitar, and the gentleman who owned it was a monster player, so I'm sure something is probably just out of adjustment. The Knee lever stop is real easy to adjust, think I'll try that and go from there, now that I know I've got the right string on it! lol..
Thanks
Larry

Micky Byrne · Post by **Micky Byrne** » 10 Apr 2006 3:09 am

Hi Larry, loads of guys, myself and Larry Bell included, get the "D" note on the "8th" string on that very same knee lever, why not try it, as there's less chance of breakage too by dropping down instead of pulling up so much.

Micky Byrne www.mickybyrne.com

Ernie Pollock · Post by **Ernie Pollock** » 10 Apr 2006 4:32 am

the only trouble with that note on the 8th string instead of the 9th, is there are some speedpicking licks you won't be able to do. With this D note on the 9th string off your B note, you have it all. Check your guitar out & do what the fellow above said & make that string work, you can do it!!

Ernie Pollock

http://www.hereintown.net/~shobud75/stock.htm

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Ben Slaughter · Post by **Ben Slaughter** » 10 Apr 2006 11:43 am

Larry, I have that change on both my Fessy and my Carter. You may need to increase the lever travel to get the 1.5 step raise. There should be a set screw on the lever that allows you to increase the travel.

Larry Strawn · Post by **Larry Strawn** » 10 Apr 2006 12:39 pm

I've been out in the studio fooling with it, still haven't got it to pull all the way up yet.
So far I've just been kinda exploring, will get it upside down on my work bench, then I'll find it!! lol.
Thanks guys

Larry

Steve Hackney · Post by **Steve Hackney** » 10 Apr 2006 4:03 pm

Didn't want to start a new post about a uni, so I'll hijack Larry's for a minute.
Does anyone have pictures of a lever lock for a U12. The folks at Carter don't have any. So if I can get an idea what they look like, I may try making one. ( preferably something better than a bungi cord).
Thanks

John Daugherty · Post by **John Daugherty** » 11 Apr 2006 12:43 pm

Maybe you can see mine good enough from this photo. It is a rod which drops into a slot(far right in photo). It has a thumb nut so it can be adjusted flush with the slot so it won't fall out. The other end of the rod connects to the bellcrank for the knee lever that lowers the 4/8 strings.

Steve Hackney · Post by **Steve Hackney** » 11 Apr 2006 4:44 pm

Thanks John.

John Daugherty · Post by **John Daugherty** » 12 Apr 2006 4:24 am

Steve, notice that the bracket on the right is cut like a stairstep. In the picture, it is unlocked. When the lever that lowers 4&8 is pushed,the rod can be pushed into the slot nearest the guitar body. When the lever is released, the rod will hold it in the B6 tuning.
It is common practice to also lower string #2 with that lever.

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www.home.earthlink.net/~johnd37

Steve Hackney · Post by **Steve Hackney** » 12 Apr 2006 3:52 pm

Ernie, thanks for the pics you sent. I tried to email you but it kept coming back.

Thanks again John.