Zum problems

Charlie Moore · Post by **Charlie Moore** » 13 Jun 2006 7:01 am

I have a D10 Zum app.88 model i just bought,when i try to lower strings 5&10 a whole tune it will not drop to pitch,it starts raising before it makes it all the way to A...any help will be appreciated...thanks in advance...
Charlie....

[This message was edited by Charlie Moore on 13 June 2006 at 08:02 AM.]

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 13 Jun 2006 7:54 am

Make sure it has enough throw. The lever should have an adjustable stop that allows you to increase / decrease the travel. Give it a bit more and see if that helps. Also check to see if the return springs are adjusted correctly. There should be just enough tension to return the pull -- and no more.

Do one string at a time. Start by backing off both tuning nuts. See if 5 will lower. If not, give it more throw and check on the return spring. Once you get it working go on to 10. That's a long pull. It needs a lot of throw to go all the way.

Didn't happen to change strings did you???

Sure the gauge didn't change on one or the other string?

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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
My CD's: 'I've Got Friends in COLD Places' - 'Pedal Steel Guitar'
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S/D-12 6x6, 1984 Sho-Bud S/D-12 7x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps

Charlie Moore · Post by **Charlie Moore** » 13 Jun 2006 8:18 am

Larry,i have plenty travel, as it is lowering it starts to raise before it reaches pitch...no i did'nt change guages of strings..i just wanted the 5th and 10th string to lower a whole tone verses 1/2tone,the 10th probably is ok being it dont travel as far..i'll ck. it...Thanks for the try...Charlie...

Bobby Boggs · Post by **Bobby Boggs** » 13 Jun 2006 8:26 am

The lower return spring is too tight...bb
OOps' Forgot you have a Zum. If it has raise helper spring on that string? You will have to loosen it or maybe take it off. Hope this helps........bb[This message was edited by Bobby Boggs on 13 June 2006 at 09:32 AM.]

Earnest Bovine · Post by **Earnest Bovine** » 13 Jun 2006 9:16 am

On some of the strings, Zums have Allen-head screws at the right end, on top of the guitar. These screws let you set the maximum lower, the lowest note that a string will go to, regardless of how far you pull the lower bar. Usually these screws are present on the 5th and 10th strings, and usually they are adjusted so that the string cannot be pulled below A#, so this could be the cause of your problem. If you want to pull B down to A, you should remove those Alen screws.
You wouldleave them on if you want to lower only to A#, and use the Allen screws to tune the A#, while using the nylon tuning nut to tune the C natural note with the A pedal and the knee lever both engaged.

richard burton · Post by **richard burton** » 13 Jun 2006 9:19 am

I rectified a similar problem on a Williams recently.

Because of the extreme angle of the finger when lowering a full tone, it was necessary to elongate the hole in the changer finger, with a needle file, to stop the finger binding on the rod.

Terry Sneed · Post by **Terry Sneed** » 13 Jun 2006 11:33 am

Charlie, you should have listened to your dad and got a Mullen!

Just kiddin

Your Emmons sounded real purty at the Spring Fling at Oak Grove.

Terry

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Mullen RP D10 /8x5 / Nashville 112/ American Tele
pickin for Jesus

[This message was edited by Terry Sneed on 13 June 2006 at 12:38 PM.]

Damir Besic · Post by **Damir Besic** » 13 Jun 2006 11:44 am

Zum is a great guitar,I`m sure it`s an "easy fix" problem

Db

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"Promat"
~when tone matters~ www.promatsteelguitars.com

John Hawkins · Post by **John Hawkins** » 13 Jun 2006 12:14 pm

Charlie ,

If I were you, I would call Bruce Zumsteg ! He will tell you in two seconds how to fix it ! He answers his phone and is very nice to talk to . He is a busy man with back orders so it may take some time to catch him . His phone a/c 816 - 380 - 4568.

You have a fine made steel ! I'll bet it will be very easy to adjust to your liking once Bruce advises you !

John

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 13 Jun 2006 12:23 pm

You failed to mention that the guitar was set up for the 1/2 step lower. I got that impression from your later replies.

Be sure that the allen screw that sets the split is not limiting travel

Be sure that your pull rod is in the slot in the bellcrank that's the furthest from the body.

Like bb says, be sure that the return spring isn't too tight.

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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
My CD's: 'I've Got Friends in COLD Places' - 'Pedal Steel Guitar'
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S/D-12 6x6, 1984 Sho-Bud S/D-12 7x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps

Charlie Moore · Post by **Charlie Moore** » 13 Jun 2006 1:01 pm

Thanks for your input guys,Bobbys post makes sense,i will check for raise helper springs,Terry i tried a mullen we could'nt get along...ha..don't worry the old man will have an opinion..Thanks Larry,it only has split tuning screws on the 6th string,that was the first thing i went to..i'll try Bobbys idea will let youns know..Charlie....

Bobby Boggs · Post by **Bobby Boggs** » 13 Jun 2006 2:31 pm

Once again.If the lower return spring is too tight? As Larry first mentioned. Can cause this problem.........bb

Randy Beavers · Post by **Randy Beavers** » 13 Jun 2006 3:10 pm

Charlie, if the guitar was originally set up to only lower 5 and 10 a half tone it may be on the wrong hole in the changer. If they are in either the 1st or 3rd hole in the lower finger, take them out and put them in the center hole. Make sure the pull rod is also in the slot farthest from the cross shaft, in the bell crank. After you get it lowering like you need you can balance the rods in the bell crank.

Charlie Moore · Post by **Charlie Moore** » 14 Jun 2006 9:49 am

Well fellows i've tried all the good ideas unfortunately non have made any difference with the problem..it lowers nice to .030 before pitch(A)it starts to raise,now i played push pulls for 25 years so i know a little about psg but this has got me bumfuzzeled,i had this with a sho bud pro1 and i had to grind off some of the changer,hate to do that if not need,there are hundreds of Zumsteels that lower the Bs to A so i'll have to call the Zum builder,hate to bug him but i'm up against it now..:cunfused:......Charlie..

Jerry Roller · Post by **Jerry Roller** » 14 Jun 2006 10:01 am

Charlie, when you lower a string it causes the changer finger hinge to move backwards. If the raise rods on that string don't have sufficient slack they will keep the lowering finger from moving back far enough. I would suggest you back the raise tuning nuts off until you get it lowering properly then arrange for enough slack on the raise rods for it to work properly.
Jerry

Charlie Moore · Post by **Charlie Moore** » 15 Jun 2006 6:46 am

Thanks Jerry,i'll try that,i know it will be simple when when i(we)find the problem..c ya..Charlie...

Charlie Moore · Post by **Charlie Moore** » 15 Jun 2006 4:40 pm

Well i finally found the problem!!there were some rod collars with a set screw in them just like the rods on a push pull,don't know their purpose but the drop side of the changer would hit the collar and the string would stop dropping and start raising...anyway i got her dropping to A now,,,thanks to ALL your input hope i can return the favor sometime...Charlie....