Possible Universal setup?

Pat Chong · From: New Mexico, USA

Hello, folks.

I have been playing my E9 for 4 1/2 years now and am thinking about moving to a universal. I have a Dekley S12 that I will fix up as a universal, BUT. There are only 6 pedals and 4 k-levers (max) that I can use. In a universal setup, which ones would you suggest? And is there a "E9" equivalent pedal/lever that it could be identified with?

Thanks in advance, ........................Pat

I have looked up various copedents, but can't identify which would be most useful.

Pete Burak · From: Portland, OR USA

I have been gigging on S12U's since the early 80's.
I would recommend pedals A-B-C-5-6-7 for your Pedals.
For your Knees I would recommend raising/lowering your E's, Lowering your B to Bb, and the standard string-2/string-9 change.
If you go with ABC Pedals, then Raise E's on LKL.
The other lever locations are pesonal preference, but I like lowering the E's on RKR, and doing the string-2/string-9 change on RKL.
Then you have one other lever to play with. Some guys lower G#'s to G. Some like to lower string-6 G# to F#. You can experiment.

Ian Rae · From: Redditch, England

I agree 100% with Pete, although I would suggest the Day setup (CBA) as having 5 next to A is handy and C is out of the way till you need it.

Also a full P8 is not essential, but you do need some means of raising 9th string B to B#. I do this on the vertical that lowers 5 - weird but neat.
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Pat Chong · From: New Mexico, USA

Thanks Pete and Ian.
I will take the suggestion of pedals 5, 6 and 7. I came across an add that mentioned those as basic C6 pedals, so I can understand the suggestion. One thing I am not sure of, though, is the B to B flat lever.

I understand it's use with the E9 tuning, but it is used with the C6 tuning, also? If so, how used is it?

Thanks again.........Pat.

Ian Rae · From: Redditch, England

The B to Bb lever is equivalent to a basic change in C6 lowering string 3 from C to B. If a C6 guitar has only one lever that will be it. On a B6 uni it's properly called B to A#.

It is used melodically as a scale note and with pedals 5 & 6 to give a 7th chord one fret up.

Hope that makes sense.
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Make sleeping dogs tell the truth!
Homebuilt keyless U12 7x5, Excel keyless U12 8x8, Williams keyless U12 7x8, Telonics rack and 15" cabs

Pat Chong · From: New Mexico, USA

Yes it does, thank you.

......................Pat.

Pat Chong · From: New Mexico, USA

Hello, Ian,
Clarification: The B to A# on string 3 for C6, would be the same on string 5 for E9, right?

Thanks again,............Pat.

Ian Rae · From: Redditch, England

Yes Pat, it's the same change. In recent times it's become popular with E9 players while it's been on the C6 a lot longer. The uni brings them together - neat!
_________________
Make sleeping dogs tell the truth!
Homebuilt keyless U12 7x5, Excel keyless U12 8x8, Williams keyless U12 7x8, Telonics rack and 15" cabs

Bobby D. Jones · From: West Virginia, USA

If you go with a full Universal tuning like Jeff Newman's U12. You will need a knee lever to raise the 9th string from B to D to get a full E9th tuning. Many U12 setups use a horizontal left knee lever to lower the 5th string B to Bb. Good Luck on the Change.

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