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Author
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Topic: GREASE on a pedal steel?
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Bob Carlucci
Member From: Candor, New York, USA
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posted 13 June 2005 06:57 AM
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I have a Carter guitar that had a strange problem.. I would engage my right knee right lever and it would STAY there.. It happened pretty consistently.. Upon investigation, I found the lever/fulcrum "fingers" were grinding together and the metal had become so rough that the lever would stick in the actuated position... The design is quite good and works perfectly and efficiently, but the light machine oil we normally use for pedal steel lubrication was insufficient... I put a small amount of lubriplate white lithium gease on these lever/fulcrum arrangements for both right moving knees, and the problem was instantly resolved never to return. Now,I KNOW that using actual GREASE for lubrication is thought of as madness in the steel community, but it was what this problem needed.
Just wondering if any other Carter owners have had this problem, or if anyone has seen any similar problems with another design ??...normally I wouldn't go near a steel guitar with grease, but it was the right approach for this problem... Has anyone seen anything similar to this ? bob |
Adrienne Clasky
Member From: Florida, USA
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posted 13 June 2005 09:08 AM
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I have the same problem on my Carter Starter with the LKL lever. I noticed that it only happens when I don't hit it right, pushing out or in as well as over. Still, it frustrates me. This lever needs so much more push than the others. Haven't tried grease yet. I was thinking of flute "oil," which is not really an oil, but more like a chapstick for the headjoint. |
Jennings Ward
Member From: Edgewater, Florida, USA
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posted 13 June 2005 12:08 PM
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BOB AND OUTHERS,,,,,,THERE IS ONLY ONE THING TO USE FOR A PERMINENT CURE ON YOUR GUITARS, THAT IS TO USE POSSUM GREASE AND RUB A PIECE OF POSSUM FAT OVER THE PARTS EVERY 3 MOS, JUST LIKE GOING TO THE DOCTOR......WORKS EVERY TIME....JENNINGS,,,,PK:::::::::::::::::::::------------------
EMMONS D10 10-10 profex 2 deltafex ne1000 pv1000, pv 31 bd eq, +
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richard burton
Member From: Britain
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posted 13 June 2005 12:19 PM
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Bob,
Have you tried slightly loosening the 3/16" Allen bolt that the knee lever pivots on?
I had the same problem with my Carter, and loosening the bolt 1/4 turn fixed it.
R B |
richard burton
Member From: Britain
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posted 13 June 2005 12:23 PM
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Incidentally, I do use grease on a pedal steel, but not where you would expect.
I put a small smear of grease under the plain strings, where they pass over the changer.
This stops the annoying 'whining' pedal steel tone, and also increases string life.
R B |
Bob Carlucci
Member From: Candor, New York, USA
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posted 13 June 2005 02:47 PM
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Richard.. never did try turning the bolt.. as soon as the white lube was applied to that lever, the problem was gone forever,so I called it good..
I too put a tiny touch of lithium grease under the plain strings.. I used to use machine oil, but that tiny touch of grease is better,, my last .011 third lasted about 6 weeks.. JENNINGS... why waste perfectly good possum grease on a dusty old steel guitar ?... I use it to fry up my bullheads and bluegills .. now THATS livin'  bob |
Jody Carver
Member From: The Knight Of Fender Tweed~ Dodger Blue Forever
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posted 13 June 2005 04:35 PM
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Bob
First remove any traces of grease, then apply
a small amount of "denatured alcohol" then apply what ever lubricant you choose. The denatured alcohol will cut through all lubes and stickies and then apply the lubricant.Use a small cotton swab or something to reach those difficult areas's It works. Dont use WD 40. Sewing machine oil does the trick. Hope this helps. |
Jennings Ward
Member From: Edgewater, Florida, USA
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posted 14 June 2005 11:33 AM
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BOB, YOU ARE CORRECT, FRYING BLUEGILL IN POSSUM GREASE IS FOOD FOR A KING,, WHICH I IS THE POSSUM KING......JUST TRYING TO HELP,, BUT ON A MORE SERIOUS NOTE FOR EVERYONE,,,, USES AUTOMOTIVE " ANTI- SIEZE " GREASE ON ANY TO PARTS THAT RUB TO GEATHER OR ARE COUPLED TOGEATHER BY A PIN, SLIDER, BALL JOINT , BELL CRANK, ECT: AND SO ON....I HAVE USED IT FOR YEARS AND THERE IS NOTHING BETTER THAT I HAVE FOUND....USE IT LIGHTLY AND DONT GOB IT ON.." MESSY " AND HARD TO GET OUT OF YOU CLOTHES......SAVE THE POSSUM GREASE, LIKE BOB SAYS,,,, FOR COOKING......JENNINGS,,,,,,U POSSUM KING:::::::::::::::::::::------------------
EMMONS D10 10-10 profex 2 deltafex ne1000 pv1000, pv 31 bd eq, +
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Dave Van Allen
Member From: Doylestown, PA , US , Earth
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posted 14 June 2005 12:55 PM
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quote:
This stops the annoying 'whining' pedal steel tone,
STOP THE PRESSES... somebody call Earnest Bovine!!! | |
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