Name a change you could live without (if you had to)

Larry Bressington · Post by **Larry Bressington** » 5 Apr 2020 9:01 pm

Hypothetically speaking, if you had to take ONE change (rod pull) off which one would go?
My choice is the 2nd string drop from D to C#

Paul Sutherland · Post by **Paul Sutherland** » 5 Apr 2020 10:51 pm

Lowering the sixth string to F#. Many love this change, and I use it when it's on my steel, but right now it's not.

b0b · Post by **b0b** » 5 Apr 2020 10:58 pm

Larry Bressington wrote:Hypothetically speaking, if you had to take ONE change (rod pull) off which one would go?
My choice is the 2nd string drop from D to C#

I don't even have that one now, so obviously I can live without it. But seriously, my choice is the Ab lever on C6th. I only ever use it in minor keys, and I can usually find a workaround.

Ian Rae · Post by **Ian Rae** » 6 Apr 2020 12:41 am

That's interesting! I use that a lot for 7b5 (or should I say 9b5) chords.

I could live without the splat pedal. The only bit I use is the 7th string raise to C# and I have that on a lever.

G# to F# (E9 string 6) I use a lot. I like to have three inversions of the minor triads as well as the majors, so I wouldn't give that up.

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 6 Apr 2020 3:57 am

B to Bb. Have tried it several times, but have removed it permanently.

Ian Rae · Post by **Ian Rae** » 6 Apr 2020 4:03 am

I seldom use that when I'm thinking E9, but it's necessary on the B6 side as it's the same as lowering string 3 on C6.

Ken Metcalf · Post by **Ken Metcalf** » 6 Apr 2020 4:54 am

B-Bb Vertical

Post by **Dave Mudgett** » 6 Apr 2020 5:55 am

I have one 4+6 SD10 with 7th string F#=>G which I don't really need. But I have 6th string G#=>F# on all my guitars (you'd have to pry it outta my cold, dead fingers) which I can split with the B-pedal on all but my push-pull. So I really wouldn't be missing anything important. In fact, I'll probably re-purpose that F#=>G lever at some point.

I don't have crazily decked-out pedal steel setups - mostly 8+5 - so my general thought is that I wouldn't give up any changes on them, with the above-noted exception. I also agree with Ian on needing B=>Bb on my universal for the mandatory 1=>maj7 change on the B6 side of things. And that approach also works to some extent on a standard 10-string E9. You don't get it all, but I get something worth using.

b0b · Post by **b0b** » 6 Apr 2020 7:10 am

Regarding C6th Ab pedal:

Ian Rae wrote:That's interesting! I use that a lot for 7b5 (or should I say 9b5) chords.

You play jazzier stuff than I do, I guess. I know that it's useful, but I just don't use it very often.

I could live without the splat pedal. The only bit I use is the 7th string raise to C# and I have that on a lever.

What's the splat pedal?

Mike Perlowin RIP · Post by **Mike Perlowin RIP** » 6 Apr 2020 7:34 am

1st and 7th strings F# to G natural, on my vertical.

John Sluszny · Post by **John Sluszny** » 6 Apr 2020 7:54 am

B to A# on vertical lever.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 6 Apr 2020 8:06 am

I could play, endlessly, with just the "E" raise/lower. I actually played for over 8 years with just the "E" lower lever, and I believe Buddy Charleton played several years with just that one lever on E9th.

Having more levers, by itself, does NOT make you a better player!

Ian Rae · Post by **Ian Rae** » 6 Apr 2020 8:14 am

b0b, by splat I meant boo-wah. I've heard it called that and it's easier to type. I have the full P8 on both my unis but I never seem to use it.

As for flatted 5ths, I play in a band that likes to (for example) turn punk numbers into bossa novas; and that old crowd-pleaser Superstition has 7b5's in it, although most guitarists have to be educated in this.

[and I agree totally with Donny]

Jack Hanson · Post by **Jack Hanson** » 6 Apr 2020 8:56 am

Since most of my seat time on a pedal guitar of late is behind a 3 x 1, I've found I can get by quite nicely without these three knee levers:

1) 6th string full-step drop; 1st string half-step raise
2) 2nd string full-step drop (with half-stop); 9th string half-step drop
3) Half-step raise on 4 & 8

Fred Treece · Post by **Fred Treece** » 6 Apr 2020 9:12 am

I don’t have some of the changes being discussed, so, getting on fine without them. I’m in the first few months of playing a guitar with the Franklin pedal and a raise lever on 1&2. Having fun with those. But, I was pretty comfortable with my Stage One that had neither, so I guess you could say life without them is entirely possible, complicated enough, and thoroughly enjoyable.

Craig A Davidson · Post by **Craig A Davidson** » 6 Apr 2020 9:22 am

Franklin change or B-Bb

Dennis Montgomery · Post by **Dennis Montgomery** » 6 Apr 2020 3:34 pm

I'd drop my pedal 4 strings 1 & 7 half step raise (it's the only change I have on string 1). After arranging a dozen songs for ExtD9 I've only used it once

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 6 Apr 2020 4:10 pm

Assuming you are referring to the modern E9th tuning, I could get by with just the ABC pedals and the E to F raise.

People don't have more changes thinking it makes them a better player, they have them because it gives them more choices, voicings and easier execution for the things the want to do.

Steve Hinson · Post by **Steve Hinson** » 6 Apr 2020 5:03 pm

Donny Hinson wrote:I could play, endlessly, with just the "E" raise/lower. I actually played for over 8 years with just the "E" lower lever, and I believe Buddy Charleton played several years with just that one lever on E9th.

Having more levers, by itself, does NOT make you a better player!

That's all I had when I moved to Nashville,and I worked all the time the first four years I was here with 3+1...

I could make a living with that now(when we go back to work)...

SH

Paul Wade · Post by **Paul Wade** » 6 Apr 2020 5:45 pm

Donny Hinson wrote:I could play, endlessly, with just the "E" raise/lower. I actually played for over 8 years with just the "E" lower lever, and I believe Buddy Charleton played several years with just that one lever on E9th.

Having more levers, by itself, does NOT make you a better player!

Amen brother

Lee Baucum · Post by **Lee Baucum** » 6 Apr 2020 6:01 pm

Jerry Overstreet wrote:People don't have more changes thinking it makes them a better player, they have them because it gives them more choices, voicings and easier execution for the things they want to do.

Agreed

Larry Bressington · Post by **Larry Bressington** » 6 Apr 2020 6:15 pm

All great replies, Agreed with all...Howeverâ€™ itâ€™s not a suggestion of why we have levers just a bit of steel fun trivia, some of you didnâ€™t name your â€˜change that would have to goâ€™ which one is it?

Dave Meis · Post by **Dave Meis** » 6 Apr 2020 6:20 pm

Franklin .. nice to have, but the one I could live easiest without..

Lee Baucum · Post by **Lee Baucum** » 6 Apr 2020 7:18 pm

Ken Metcalf wrote:B-Bb Vertical

Yo también.

Bill C. Buntin · Post by **Bill C. Buntin** » 7 Apr 2020 8:49 am

Lkv f# & d# raises

I like this change, and use it, however I could easily do just as well without the lkv at all.

Now that I’ve gotten used to the Franklin pedal 4, I would give up the vertical mentioned before giving up the Franklin pedal.

Hey Lee!!! Stay safe down in the valley!!😀

Bill

The Steel Guitar Forum

Name a change you could live without (if you had to)

Name a change you could live without (if you had to)

Re: Name a change you could live without (if you had to)

Pedal changes without