The Steel Guitar Forum

Hi mechanically-inclined friends.

I introduced some tuning wonkiness while tinkering with my setup. Basically the B and A pedals were interacting in undesirable ways. If I engaged the A pedal by itself the change was in tune, but if I then also engaged the B pedal then my string 5 would pull way sharp. Or if I engaged B alone and then also A, string 5 would be flat. I seem to have resolved the issue through trial and error, but I've no idea what mechanical principal was at play to cause that problem. Any insights for this newbie to steel setup principles?

Man these scenarios can be real tests of patience and optimism I find.
It can be a real lab process testing variables against one another in isolation to discover the issue.
That sounds like a crowded undercarriage problem you describe, where the pulls are physically catching on each other.
Glad you got it sorted.

Me being a Restorer/setup/fix/Builder of pedal steels (mainly ShoBud) for almost 30 years now. I can tell you this: There is at least 10 movements of parts that happen before the string is pulled; and what those parts are and how they are set up and interact with movement and leverages; is the WHOLE BALL OF WAX. man.
Having someone with experience that knows; has experience with these aspects of the pedal steel; can help your particular model; be the best It can be.
Ricky