Pedal steel maintenance

[Uncle Roy]

How many parts need oil on a pedal steel guitar and where are they? How often should this be done and what is the recommended oil to use . Is there any other areas that need any type of regular maintenance?

[Ken Byng]

Hi Roy
I use a ptfe based lubricant (Tri Flow) that leaves a fine film of ptfe on parts that doesn't attract gunk or muck. Key areas to lubricate is the changer fingers where the roller pin passes through, the headstock rollers, and cross rods underneath the guitar where it is mounted. Sewing machine oil is very good as it is a light oil. Never use standard WD40!! It is the biggest cause of gunk on pedal steels. Needle syringes are very good for getting lubricant into inaccessible places.

I do my guitars once a year - that's enough.

Here is a great link to Greg Cutshaw's page on lubricating a steel guitar. All you need. http://www.gregcutshaw.com/Lubricate/Lubricate.html

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Krylon-Consumer ... B0002ITTK2

[Uncle Roy]

Thanks Ken, that's a a great help. Thanks also for the great link. Really informative.

[Danny Mitchell]

Hi Roy
As a proud owner of a GFI Ultra it seems, according to their support page, I'll never need to lubricate at all. In fact I'm the only part of the equation that needs lubricating (I'm sure this makes the steel sound better).
Also, if anyone needs a syringe to perform said act, there's always plenty lying about in the lane at the back of the studio where I work!

[Jim Pritchard]

Cleaning and Maintenance in the style of Rick Campbell......
(PS. see you on Saturday, Roy)

[Uncle Roy]

Jim, that's no good as I don't have a outside tap and hose pipe

[Malcolm]

Danny, not to question your manual, but as far as I know the only thing that would not need lubrication on a steel would be the nylon type bushes some manufacturers fit on cross shafts.I had been told that MSA steels ( newer type) did not need lubrication , but on speaking to Kyle when picking up guitar he said yes it did require lubrication, albeit very sparingly, once a year, recommended gun oil or sewing machine oil.I would check it out with GFI, can't think of situation where metal on metal does not require some form of lubrication.The other thing I do is to put just the tiniest spot of Vaseline at the point where the string goes over the changer to help prevent grooving.

[Jif]

Not sure if the GFI Pro models are the same as the student version, but the student version used thin pieces of teflon sheet glued onto the outsides of each changer finger, so each finger was teflon on teflon so to speak. The theory was that no further lubrication was necessary, at least in the changer.

[Malcolm]

Geoff, I do not know if GFI do that on pro models, but even if they do it strikes me that even Teflon on Teflon still would wear out, just think of your so called non stick pans, how long does the pan actually stay non stick?Obviously if manual says do not lubricate then better to follow that instruction, but I think at some stage some lubrication would eventually be needed.Perhaps if the guys who sell GFI down in Morecombe read this they could shed some light on it.

[Ken Byng]

Malcolm is quite right. Delrin is the material that most steel guitar manufacturers use for bushings these days, although the older 'Buds had nylon Bushings. Delrin is self lubricating, and very resistant to wear. Normally used at the ends of cross rods, they work well. However, metal on metal does require some element of regular lubrication. Greg Cutbush's detailed photo's are brilliant at showing the key lube points on a pedal steel. Players should remember to do this on a regular basis (once a year) and it really will help reduce wear and tear on our beloved instruments.

Those manufacturers such as Sheffield who use some bearings in their guitars will reduce the need for lubrication, as a lot of bearings come pre-packed with the right type of grease.

I have seen some changer fingers in my life that have never seen any oil whatsoever, and have formed a slightly oval hole where the changer pin passes through. That's what we need to try to avoid if possible.