Pedal Rod Extensions

Trent Harris · Post by **Trent Harris** » 1 Nov 2015 7:22 am

The pedals on my Sho Bud are a higher than I would like. What's the best place to buy 1" extensions?

Jon Light (deceased) · Post by **Jon Light (deceased)** » 1 Nov 2015 7:27 am

Right here on the forum:

http://www.steelguitarshopper.com/acces ... red&page=3

Trent Harris · Post by **Trent Harris** » 1 Nov 2015 8:40 am

Will this lower my pedals down? It's uncomfortable having to raise my foot so high. The top of my pedals are about 3" off the ground, is that standard on Sho Buds?

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 1 Nov 2015 10:04 am

If the standard adjustment runs out of room, they'll guaranteed lower your pedals.
Just in case you didn't know, pedal height is adjustable, by loosening the nut, then twisting the fitting around a whole turn.

Trent Harris · Post by **Trent Harris** » 1 Nov 2015 11:20 am

Lane, they're down about all the way and the pedals are still that high so I think I need some extensions. How high are your pedals off the floor? Or what is standard height?

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 1 Nov 2015 11:27 am

I don't measure height at rest. When engaged, probably about 3/4" off the floor. It'll dent shag pile, but gogo all the way down.

Craig Baker · Post by **Craig Baker** » 1 Nov 2015 3:01 pm

That is an unusual complaint. Are you sure your pedal bar is at the proper location on the legs? If it is not located correctly, it will have a great effect on pedal height.

Craig

Ronnie Boettcher · Post by **Ronnie Boettcher** » 1 Nov 2015 3:16 pm

Your problem is solved for about $1 a rod.
Go to a hardware store, or like home depot, or Lowes. Buy a rod coupling, for each pedal, and a piece of all-threaded rod. or a few machine screws about 3" long. Measure about how long you want to extend the rod, and cut the threaded rod to that length, plus about 3/8" to 1/2" to go into the ball joint coupler. The coupling will take up about a 1/2" for the rod, and your new threaded piece. If you want to add a jam nut to tighten it all up, buy a few regular nuts. Problem solved. Ronnie

Rick Campbell · Post by **Rick Campbell** » 1 Nov 2015 5:02 pm

Maybe you have the legs extended too long. Unless you need the extra height under the guitar because you're an extra tall guy, just lower the legs and the pedals will come down. I'm 6'1"and I don't need extensions, but I do use a low profile volume pedal or raise the legs closest to me a little to give me more room.... Otherwise, it gets a little crowed on the right side.

Trent Harris · Post by **Trent Harris** » 1 Nov 2015 5:17 pm

I decided to post a couple pictures to see if it helps explain. It may be the way it's supposed to be, but it seems like the GFI and Mullen ones that I've seen the pedals sit lower? (maybe just the way Sho Bud is supposed to be)? I'm new to this so just wondering. It is certainly playable just would be more comfortable if the pedals were a little lower.

Danny Letz · Post by **Danny Letz** » 1 Nov 2015 5:30 pm

What is that collar between the rubber tips and your pedal bar. Can that be removed. It would make more difference than you think.

Jon Light (deceased) · Post by **Jon Light (deceased)** » 1 Nov 2015 5:38 pm

The pedals will go up, not down, if the collar is removed and the pedal rack is slid down toward the floor. However if you can remove the collar and adjust the leg shorter, it will help.

I agree that the pedals are sitting high off the floor. If you can't screw any more adjustment out of the rod threading, I would get the extenders.
But just one check---are the front and rear legs identical? If the rear legs are longer (from the threading on top to the knurled knob) than these front legs, maybe swap front-for-back.

Ken Pippus · Post by **Ken Pippus** » 1 Nov 2015 6:05 pm

That collar looks like a 1/2" raise, which is just about what I would have guessed would put the pedals that much too high.

Trent Harris · Post by **Trent Harris** » 1 Nov 2015 6:06 pm

I removed the collars from the front legs and adjusted them down to where they are sitting on top of the rubber feet. Not sure what those things are but had to pound one of them off!! It did make a difference for sure. Still seem a little high but more comfortable than they were for sure. Lowered everything about 1/2 ".
Only been 3 weeks and thinking I should sell the thing and just play my guitars!!!
Just kidding, really want to learn how to play this thing, even the simple little licks I've learned sound so cool makes me want to just keep picking it.
Thanks for the help, this sight is great for newcomers like me.

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 1 Nov 2015 6:06 pm

Get the extenders, then put the collar ABOVE the pedal bar.

Craig Baker · Post by **Craig Baker** » 1 Nov 2015 6:38 pm

Congratulations Trent, and welcome to both the steel guitar community and this forum, where you can always find answers both correct and incorrect and everywhere in between.

Those collars look like part of the clutch assembly from an Atlas microphone stand. Don't know how they ended up there, but if it now works. . . enjoy it.

Craig

Ken Pippus · Post by **Ken Pippus** » 1 Nov 2015 6:38 pm

Don't get extenders unless you need them! How tall are you?

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 1 Nov 2015 7:06 pm

It looks to me like the pedal rods are too short.

I think extenders may be needed, but 1" is probably too long. Hard to say. You can buy the threaded spacers (that's what they are called) at any good hardware store. I use different lengths depending on how low or high I want the pedals to be. And don't bother with threaded rod or machine screws that you have to cut. The same hardware store will have the length of set screw you need to mate the spacer to the pedal rod connector. No cutting and having to make sure the starting thread is good enough to thread easily the first time.