Pedal and Knee lever setup for a Newbie

[strontium90]

I'm looking some advice on setup for a Carter Starter...I purchased it 2nd hand from a friend of a friend and as I'm a complete novice regarding the setup of the instrument, perhaps someone could give me some advice...

Regarding the pedals, I notice the A and C pedals are slightly higher than the B pedal...is this normal?

Regarding the knee lever...With the LKR (the one that drops the E's), I actually have to lift my foot from the pedal to fully drop the notes by pushing it right...I see the little screw underneath to adjust the stop but it seems to be fully extended....should I move the rod on the pull bar?

I'm afraid to touch anything at the moment but in order to set it up for myself I think I'm gonna have to...

Also, what about lubrication?

Many thanks in advance...

[JohnDavisStringsHere]

Where are you located Alex ?, there is bound to be someone close at hand that can help you further........

[strontium90]

I'm in Castlewellan, County Down, Northern Ireland, John...I don't even know anyone else who plays steel round here...could travel as far as Belfast with the instrument but any advice would be greatly appreciated...

[Donny Johnston]

Ted Nesbitt, Rainbow Music Carrickfergus. Donny

[strontium90]

Thanks...I will arrange a visit next week me thinks...
I Changed the stop for the knee lever, but then it wouldn't fully depress to E flat...didn't want to screw the nylon tuners any further so I had to put it back to were it was...won't touch it again until I see this guy..

[Tony Russell Davis]

It's quite normal for the pedals to be at different heights. The B pedal raises a half tone, but the A and C raise a whole tone, so they need to move further. Your foot "hovers" between A and B pedals ready to press either, or both, with the side of the shoe, avoiding pressing the other one until you want to. Set their individual heights to achieve that. The foot rocks side to side as you bring pedals in and out. The C pedal is not used as much, so you only move over to it when needed. Over A & B is the default position.
It sounds like the rods to your knee-lever are not hooked up idealy. There should not be that amount of movement needed. Let us know more. e.g. which hole does the tuning rod go through at the changer (i.e. top one, second etc.) also which hole at the bell-crank (the other end of that same rod under the guitar) counting from the cross-rod it pivots on.

[strontium90]

Please forgive my ignorance, but these terms are unfamiliar to me as I am a novice...the rods connect to two lugs (Pull Bar?)...The one for the 8th string is in the 2nd hole and the one for the 4th is in the first hole (outer)...The problem seems to be that this lever is stiffer than the rest...think I'd best take it to someone...BTW...it came like this...I will try to familiarise myself with the other terms you used and will perhaps be able to give you a better description...thanks in the meantime...

[Tony Russell Davis]

OK, sorry for that. Try this first: Do a Google search (other search engines are available!) for "Carter Starter owners manual" and have a read through, it's a downloadable .pdf. Most of the terms are spelled out there but I notice they use the term "pull bar" for the part we would usually call a "bell-crank". When you have had a look, get back with any questions on things they haven't explained well enough.

[bob adams]

Alex, the most likely cause of your E Lower not going down to pitch is that you E Raise nylon tuners are engaging slightly and need backed off.. the Carter starter changer fingers are one piece as against a two piece system on Pro guitars.. it therefore works like a see-saw with the spring acting as the return to centre [E] Anyway.. if you get in touch with Ted he'll put you right I'm sure!

[strontium90]

I'm no technical genius, bob, but I think your right....noticed the two for the lever where totally tight, and wound in more than the others...will slacken them off tomorrow, I'm sure it is this....that's the worst of buying 2nd hand....but must do is a quaere master...lol