Right Footed "Infinity"

Jerry Pack · Post by **Jerry Pack** » 10 Jan 2014 1:41 pm

Frank Carter gets a big "thank you' from one happy customer of his D10 Infinity Pedal Steel! He did an amazing job of building me a very specialized custom guitar.

Here's the background. In October of 2011, I was hospitalized for a simple left hip replacement, expecting to be home in a couple of days. The unexpected happened in surgery and I awoke in recovery room in agony. It felt my left leg was on fire and I couldn't bear the slightest touch. The doctors were unable to find the cause until seven day's later. The tests then determined that I had muscle compartment syndrome. Muscle compartment happened because my circulation was compromised in surgery. Doctors usually see this when a motorcycle falls on a rider's leg after an accident. Because
this went undetected for a whole week, the muscle in the front of the left leg had died. The doctors had to remove the muscle in front of the leg below the knee to the top of my foot. This was the first of more 20 surgeries and a hospital stay of six months. After many specialists made heroic efforts to save the leg, including transplanting abdominal muscle to the leg for circulation, in mid October the leg got bone infection and had to be amputated about four inches above the knee.

It was my left leg! I'd played pedal steel guitar since I was a teenager and couldn't image not playing again. My pedal steel friends really came to my rescue. While in rehab, Jim Palenscar of North County Pedal Steel in Oceanside, California, called to offer me a single neck steel that had the pedals arranged to play with the right foot and right knee. Just what I needed! He sent it to me. I learned the basics of using the right foot, instead of the left, but I missed not being able to mess around on the C6th. Frank Carter of Infinity agreed to take on the task of building a D10 with seven foot pedals and six knee levers to be played with my right foot and leg. It also has three knee levers on the left leg
He did an incredible job. I had the fun of playing to our church group during the Christmas holidays.

THANKS, FRIENDS. YOU MADE IT POSSIBLE!!

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 10 Jan 2014 4:07 pm

Wow. Well done!!

Brian Saulsman · Post by **Brian Saulsman** » 10 Jan 2014 4:30 pm

Thanks for posting this uplifting story. It's amazing what people can accomplish when they work together.

All the best.

Brian Saulsman

Jon Light (deceased) · Post by **Jon Light (deceased)** » 10 Jan 2014 4:32 pm

Outstanding!

Rick Barnhart · Post by **Rick Barnhart** » 10 Jan 2014 5:08 pm

This is an awesome, uplifting story. Frank Carter is my new hero !!! Also huge kudos to Jim Palenscar of Steel Guitars of North Country, in Oceanside.

Jerry Pack · Post by **Jerry Pack** » 10 Jan 2014 5:29 pm

Thanks Lane, Jon and Rick for viewing and the replies.
Jerry

Jon Light (deceased) · Post by **Jon Light (deceased)** » 10 Jan 2014 5:40 pm

I can't see what you've got rigged, Jerry. Are you using (or going to be using) the Telonics accelerometer technology for volume control?

Dave Bertoncini · Post by **Dave Bertoncini** » 10 Jan 2014 5:49 pm

I heard of this guitar...I thought it was just a Legend

Frank and Fran are the best. Glad you can continue playing

Jerry Pack · Post by **Jerry Pack** » 10 Jan 2014 5:50 pm

Hi Jon,
The picture was taken at Franks. The equipment is his. I use a Walker setup and have been going direct
from the guitar to the Walker. I have one of Dave's
pedals and hat with the volume control but haven't
mastered it yet.
Jerry

Alex Cattaneo · Post by **Alex Cattaneo** » 10 Jan 2014 7:11 pm

Wow, that's an incredible story! Hats off to you Jerry for the determination. While some of us keep complaining about how hard it is to play this instrument, you loose A LEG and keep going! Big kudos to Frank and everyone else who made this possible.

Ken Campbell · Post by **Ken Campbell** » 10 Jan 2014 7:26 pm

Top shelf. Best story of the year.

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 10 Jan 2014 7:30 pm

Astounding! But knowing Frank and Jim, not surprising.

Billy Easton · Post by **Billy Easton** » 10 Jan 2014 8:08 pm

Jerry....
Way to go my friend....and you are right, Frank and Pali are the best.....I am proud to call them friends just as I am proud to call you my friend...hope to see you soon.

Billy

Larry Otis · Post by **Larry Otis** » 11 Jan 2014 7:25 am

This is a great story! The drive to make music is powerful!

Scott Duckworth · Post by **Scott Duckworth** » 11 Jan 2014 7:52 am

Glad to know there are folks concerned enough to help those with a disadvantage be able to enjoy the music they love!

Rex Thomas · Post by **Rex Thomas** » 11 Jan 2014 8:07 am

Jerry Pack · Post by **Jerry Pack** » 11 Jan 2014 9:54 am

Jerry Pack wrote:Frank Carter gets a big "thank you' from one happy customer of his D10 Infinity Pedal Steel! He did an amazing job of building me a very specialized custom guitar.

Here's the background. In October of 2011, I was hospitalized for a simple left hip replacement, expecting to be home in a couple of days. The unexpected happened in surgery and I awoke in recovery room in agony. It felt my left leg was on fire and I couldn't bear the slightest touch. The doctors were unable to find the cause until seven day's later. The tests then determined that I had muscle compartment syndrome. Muscle compartment happened because my circulation was compromised in surgery. Doctors usually see this when a motorcycle falls on a rider's leg after an accident. Because
this went undetected for a whole week, the muscle in the front of the left leg had died. The doctors had to remove the muscle in front of the leg below the knee to the top of my foot. This was the first of more than 20 surgeries and a hospital stay of six months. After many specialists made heroic efforts to save the leg, including transplanting abdominal muscle to the leg for circulation. In mid October the leg got bone infection and had to be amputated about four inches above the knee.

It was my left leg! I'd played pedal steel guitar since I was a teenager and couldn't image not playing again. My pedal steel friends really came to my rescue. While in rehab, Jim Palenscar of North County Pedal Steel in Oceanside, California, called to offer me a single neck steel that had the pedals arranged to play with the right foot and right knee. Just what I needed! He sent it to me. I learned the basics of using the right foot, instead of the left, but I missed not being able to mess around on the C6th. Frank Carter of Infinity agreed to take on the task of building a D10 with seven foot pedals and six knee levers to be played with my right foot and leg. It also has three knee levers on the left leg
He did an incredible job. I had the fun of playing to our church group during the Christmas holidays.

THANKS, FRIENDS. YOU MADE IT POSSIBLE!!

Jerry Pack · Post by **Jerry Pack** » 11 Jan 2014 9:59 am

Jerry Pack wrote:
Jerry Pack wrote:Frank Carter gets a big "thank you' from one happy customer of his D10 Infinity Pedal Steel! He did an amazing job of building me a very specialized custom guitar.

Here's the background. In October of 2011, I was hospitalized for a simple left hip replacement, expecting to be home in a couple of days. The unexpected happened in surgery and I awoke in recovery room in agony. It felt my left leg was on fire and I couldn't bear the slightest touch. The doctors were unable to find the cause until seven day's later. The tests then determined that I had muscle compartment syndrome. Muscle compartment happened because my circulation was compromised in surgery. Doctors usually see this when a motorcycle falls on a rider's leg after an accident. Because
this went undetected for a whole week, the muscle in the front of the left leg had died. The doctors had to remove the muscle in front of the leg below the knee to the top of my foot. This was the first of more than 20 surgeries and a hospital stay of six months. After many specialists made heroic efforts to save the leg, including transplanting abdominal muscle to the leg for circulation. In mid October the leg got bone infection and had to be amputated about four inches above the knee.

It was my left leg! I'd played pedal steel guitar since I was a teenager and couldn't image not playing again. My pedal steel friends really came to my rescue. While in rehab, Jim Palenscar of North County Pedal Steel in Oceanside, California, called to offer me a single neck steel that had the pedals arranged to play with the right foot and right knee. Just what I needed! He sent it to me. I learned the basics of using the right foot, instead of the left, but I missed not being able to mess around on the C6th. Frank Carter of Infinity agreed to take on the task of building a D10 with seven foot pedals and six knee levers to be played with my right foot and leg. It also has three knee levers on the left leg
He did an incredible job. I had the fun of playing to our church group during the Christmas holidays.

THANKS, FRIENDS. YOU MADE IT POSSIBLE!!

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 11 Jan 2014 12:21 pm

great story and love the infinity.
overkill on the pictures.

Jerry Pack · Post by **Jerry Pack** » 11 Jan 2014 5:01 pm

Hi Chris,
I was trying to correct the first post and by mistake I posted it two more times. That's the reason for all the pictures.
Jerry

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 11 Jan 2014 5:23 pm

ok jerry. you're excused! haha

Tom Gorr · Post by **Tom Gorr** » 11 Jan 2014 6:19 pm

Amazing story... Congrats on finding a way through such a life altering surgery(s)- finding a way to continue with the gift of music is sure to help with the transition. Kudo's to Mr, Palenscar and Mr. Carter. Very ingenious and kind.

Roual Ranes · Post by **Roual Ranes** » 11 Jan 2014 6:34 pm

STORY OF THE YEAR................

Larry Baker · Post by **Larry Baker** » 11 Jan 2014 8:24 pm

Jerry, I am very proud of you. You are a great incentive for those who think they have to give up playing. Good Luck, and keep up the good work. God Bless. Larry

steve takacs · Post by **steve takacs** » 11 Jan 2014 11:25 pm

Way to hang in there and keep playing against the odds, Jerry. What spirit and what an inspiration to all of us! Kudos to Frank Carter and Jim Palenscar (and likely others) for helping you with your comeback.

I did get the feeling I was watching "Groundhog Day" with the same photos popping up several times.

stevet

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Right Footed "Infinity"

Right Footed "Infinity"

Infinity

Infinity

How cool is that!!!

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Re: Right Footed

Infinity

Inspiration to all of us.