Balancing Spring Adjustments?

Ray Minich · Post by **Ray Minich** » 6 Nov 2006 5:43 am

How does one know when the balancing spring is in good adjustment?
I've deliberately never touched the Emmons LeGrande II's setup, just so I don't have to contend with this unknown (by me). I have fumbled around with my 3 Dekley's however, changing copedants, Day vs Emmons, etc. One day a couple of years ago, whilst playing the E9th SD-10, I heard and felt a kinda loud snap. The only thing I could attribute the nasty noise to was that perhaps one of the balancing springs jumped a turn (or 5) on that threaded insert that winds inside the spring.
Any recommendations as to what constitutes a properly adjusted balancing spring will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks again.

Also, would an improperly adjusted spring lead to a pedal throw that's jerky and irregular (the opposite of "buttery smooth")?[This message was edited by Ray Minich on 06 November 2006 at 05:51 AM.]

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 6 Nov 2006 6:43 pm

Ray, are you talking about the lower-return springs? On all-pull guitars, they're usually adjusted to the lowest tension possible that will still (reliably) pull the finger back to the stop firmly after a lower is released. Being too tight will make the pedal too stiff, and being too loose (not pulling firmly to the stop) will cause tuning consistency problems.

"Jerky" pulls are usually caused by timing problems...two or more pulls on the same pedal that aren't stopping and starting at the same time. Also, rarely, it can be caused by something (like a string end) that's lodged in the changer.[This message was edited by Donny Hinson on 06 November 2006 at 06:47 PM.]