How would you Personalize your pedal steel guitar?

Terry Barnett · Post by **Terry Barnett** » 17 Jun 2017 6:32 am

Just curious...
When you get a new (to you) guitar, what do you do right away to personalize the setup and make it play to your standards?

Ollin Landers · Post by **Ollin Landers** » 17 Jun 2017 7:18 am

Well ...

The obvious is I set the copedent to what I'm used to. Then I adjust the guitar.

I play Uni-12's and for me I'ts critical to set the angle and placement of the knee levers so that I have access to all the pedals without having to twist my foot too much. LKR is of particular concern.

Then I set the height on specific pedals so I can play them clean without engaging other pedals when I don't want to. P6 just a little higher than P5. Nothing worse than engaging P6 and catch just enough of P5 to really get an awful unintended DIM Chord.

Then tune the pedals and knees. Tweak and repeat until I have it where I want it.

I might move on to more complicated issues like setting the tension, throw and timing of the pulls.

Then move on to adjusting pickup height etc.

Then I stop playing mechanic and just play the thing.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 17 Jun 2017 7:34 am

I've personalized a couple of my pedal steels by putting my name on the front.
You don't see that done very often any more but that used to be the thing to do some years ago.

Rich Upright · Post by **Rich Upright** » 17 Jun 2017 9:11 am

New strings, then super dyno-tune each pedal & lever, then adjust pedal hight & lever position, & that's it.
I always seem to buy guitars that are my copedant. Just lucky I guess.

Clark Doughty · Post by **Clark Doughty** » 17 Jun 2017 2:09 pm

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 17 Jun 2017 5:26 pm

gorgeous apron treatment on that Zum Clark.

Clark Doughty · Post by **Clark Doughty** » 17 Jun 2017 6:04 pm

Thanks Jerry.............clark

Brett Day · Post by **Brett Day** » 17 Jun 2017 9:16 pm

When I'd get a new guitar, I always made sure the pedal setup was the Emmons setup because it's the setup I've been using now for seventeen years. Also, I try to think of nicknames for the guitar. My first steel, a 1974 Emmons didn't have a nickname, but my GFI Ultra D-10 is "Redgold Beauty" and my main guitar, a Jackson Blackjack Custom is nicknamed "Black Diamond". I don't really need to adjust pedals or anything, and I don't really use effects on the amplifier, I just keep my settings on Clean E9th Steel.

Jack Hanson · Post by **Jack Hanson** » 18 Jun 2017 3:54 am

Dig out the electric engraver and etch my Social Security number on the inside of the endplate is all the personalization I would even consider. I realize that I may be in the minority here, but I subscribe to the old K.I.S.S. adage: Keep it stock, stupid.

For resale purposes, who would want to make a relatively expensive purchase of a pedal steel guitar with my name plastered on it?

Terry Barnett · Post by **Terry Barnett** » 18 Jun 2017 5:23 am

Keep I t stock, stupid...I like that.

Dan Beller-McKenna · Post by **Dan Beller-McKenna** » 18 Jun 2017 5:38 am

I drilled right through the deck between the necks of my Super Pro one time when I was moving knee levers. Does that count?

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 18 Jun 2017 5:38 am

Just play it, if a new guitar. If used, it may take some tweaking.

My 81 Franklin has the same copedent as it did when I got it new. Never had a need to change.

Larry Bressington · Post by **Larry Bressington** » 19 Jun 2017 10:24 am

Tweak em all, rods, pulls, pedal feel, lever contact angle, pedal stops, etc etc..get that emotional connection going then, sleep like a baby!

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 19 Jun 2017 10:56 am

Have you hugged your guitar today?

Terry Barnett · Post by **Terry Barnett** » 20 Jun 2017 4:29 am

Yeah, give it a little hug, and when it's not looking sneak in a little tweakage!

Mike Perlowin RIP · Post by **Mike Perlowin RIP** » 20 Jun 2017 4:38 am

Two words: Wrist lever.

Marco Schouten · Post by **Marco Schouten** » 20 Jun 2017 4:57 am

I will play first for many months to get a really good feeling of the guitar. After that, I'll see what needs some tweeking.

Jim Williams · Post by **Jim Williams** » 20 Jun 2017 7:10 am

I just bought a GFI about a week ago. Not much to personalize it, but I did chase down a squeak and creak! I hate noise. Seriously thinking about ordering a set of slightly shorter legs.

Jim Williams · Post by **Jim Williams** » 20 Jun 2017 7:16 am

Mike Perlowin wrote:Two words: Wrist lever.

What does the lever do?

Mike Perlowin RIP · Post by **Mike Perlowin RIP** » 20 Jun 2017 7:24 am

It lowers the 5th string from B to Bb.

A lot of people put this change on a vertical.

Charley Bond · Post by **Charley Bond** » 20 Jun 2017 8:17 am

I added a metal emblem from a Sierra Truck & a Sierra Car to the front of my SIERRA PSG.

Then I added "my" Vertical Left Knee Lever & "my" Rest Pad to the rear of my SIERRA PSG.

Not a "nuther one" around like mine....

Ron Anderson · Post by **Ron Anderson** » 20 Jun 2017 2:24 pm

I would just put "Sorry" on the front facing whoever might be unfortunate enough to be there when I am on the thing.

Frank Agliata · Post by **Frank Agliata** » 20 Jun 2017 3:58 pm

Ron Anderson wrote:I would just put "Sorry" on the front facing whoever might be unfortunate enough to be there when I am on the thing.

I'm thinking "Beware of Clams" on mine! $:\$

Bill Ford · Post by **Bill Ford** » 21 Jun 2017 6:36 am

Match pedal setup to my CLR, tweak, and play..I use the term "play" very loosely, (I can now claim an age factor).

Mike Perlowin RIP · Post by **Mike Perlowin RIP** » 21 Jun 2017 9:07 am

Charley Bond wrote:... I added "my" Vertical Left Knee Lever & "my" Rest Pad to the rear of my SIERRA PSG.

Charlie, I like your vertical. It looks like it works really well.

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