G# compensator issue - A solution!

[Haddock]

Hi All
I thought I'd share this in case anyone out there wants to try it.
I've seen plenty of topics touching on this issue but here's a quick recap. The issues with string 6 annoy folks to differing amounts and for different reasons and I found myself on the 'must do something about this' side. G# on string 6 sticks out like a sore thumb to me if its not bang on in tune and mainly when switching between the open triad and the A and F combination. If its a perfect third open the cabinet drop on the A F combo makes it flat and if its a perfect 5th on A F then its a mile sharp open. I started with the common compensator rod worked by the A pedal which lifts the G# changer raise finger by the same amount of the cabinet drop and all is well. Perfectly tuned triads. Except there's a problem! Pressing A and then raising and lowering B makes the changer sit slightly sharp. I spoke to an expert about this and its a fact of life with an all pull changer. The B raise is on top of the comp raise and the changer scissor doesn't get back to the end stop. So you either have to jiggle A when changing or hitting the G# lower lever works too. Usable but not ideal when sliding from inversion to inversion. So I tried without the comp but having tasted the perfect chords, I had to try and make it work.

Here is my solution.
I've fitted a reverse compensator on 6 which slightly lowers 6 in the open position. Then when I engage A it lets the comp off before anything else happens and the string raises back to the neutral position entirely compensating for the cabinet drop. This means the B raise is just a normal raise and isn't compromised. All good! But then I spotted one tiny issue. My RKL lower on 6 was sticking slightly. The answer was another pull from RKL onto the crank that removes the comp lower. Took a bit of adjusting but its all solid now and I haven't had to touch it since. I just tune up as normal and can forget all about the lower. It was all made quite easy as I had a spare cross shaft so all the fiddly stuff could be placed out of the way in between the knee levers.

Hope someone finds this interesting and gives it a go.
All the best
Calum

PS I put this on the forum in the ‘other place’ first because they have folk that are prepared to spot ALL kinds of trains!