The Steel Guitar Forum Store 

Post new topic A Pedal Change
Reply to topic
Author Topic:  A Pedal Change
Noah Fickel


From:
California, USA
Post  Posted 2 Mar 2024 3:45 pm    
Reply with quote

I recently got my guitar all set up by a professional- he did an amazing job and showed me all the ins and outs about how everything works. When I got home and started really playing it, I realized that I have to push my foot down quite a long way to do a full change on the A pedal. I'd basically like to adjust it so that I don't have to push my foot down so far. What's my move to see that I can get this done? I like the height that the pedal is resting at, but I just want to change the distance the pedal has to move and make it shorter.
_________________
Mullen Discovery
Boss GX-100
Fender Bassman 10
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Dave Meis


From:
Olympic Peninsula, Washington, USA
Post  Posted 2 Mar 2024 4:57 pm    
Reply with quote

Move the pull rod to a hole further from the cross shaft on the bell crank, or move the changer end of the pull rod closer to the changer axle.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Jim Palenscar

 

From:
Oceanside, Calif, USA
Post  Posted 2 Mar 2024 10:56 pm    
Reply with quote

If there is more than one change on the pedal/knee lever in question- move them all the same distance up or down the bellcrank(s) and know that it will take more pressure to activate the pedal if the throw is shorter.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Jon Light


From:
Saugerties, NY
Post  Posted 3 Mar 2024 5:59 am     Re: A Pedal Change
Reply with quote

I totally encourage you to work on your steel and learn the nuances of this stuff -- length of throw, amount of resistance of the throw, and timing of the throws, among other things. But be sure to think everything out before you start (and document where everything is at -- what changer hole, what bellcrank hole everything is in.

Be aware: Everything affects everything. If changing the A pedal rod bellcrank hole means that you have to move the C pedal rod on string 5, is it throwing of the C pedal sync of strings 4 & 5? If you have to move rods on string 4 (to regain sync), did you have to move the F lever rod and have you affected the F lever sync between strings 4 & 8?

So have a 'big mind' as you work on your guitar -- sometimes you can nail things down exactly as you want them and sometimes you have to choose which characteristic is more important to you.
Sometimes you set off a chain reaction of adjustments and come out with near perfection in the end and sometimes you have to backtrack to undo unforeseen consequences.

But I repeat -- go for it and enjoy learning this stuff!
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

John Hyland

 

From:
South Australia
Post  Posted 3 Mar 2024 12:34 pm    
Reply with quote

Some steels have more than one position to attach the pedal rod to the pedal. If you can, move it further out from the pedal bar. This is by far the most simple change and will not affect any tuning just shorten the pedal travel. but….That said you may find the pedal in the down pedal is not level with the adjacent pedal which is not good, thereby setting up other changes to rectify.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Noah Fickel


From:
California, USA
Post  Posted 3 Mar 2024 12:51 pm    
Reply with quote

Jim Palenscar wrote:
If there is more than one change on the pedal/knee lever in question- move them all the same distance up or down the bellcrank(s) and know that it will take more pressure to activate the pedal if the throw is shorter.


Thanks Jim, you actually worked on my Mullen Discovery last Tuesday. Plays amazing now, thanks so much for the help. Got home and started playing a little more and realized I was bending my ankle a little too far for my comfort. Moved both those pull rods like you suggested/showed me how to do and it plays like a dream. Thanks so much.
_________________
Mullen Discovery
Boss GX-100
Fender Bassman 10
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Jim Palenscar

 

From:
Oceanside, Calif, USA
Post  Posted 3 Mar 2024 7:50 pm    
Reply with quote

Terrific!
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website


All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Jump to:  

Our Online Catalog
Strings, CDs, instruction,
steel guitars & accessories

www.SteelGuitarShopper.com

Please review our Forum Rules and Policies

Steel Guitar Forum LLC
PO Box 237
Mount Horeb, WI 53572 USA


Click Here to Send a Donation

Email admin@steelguitarforum.com for technical support.


BIAB Styles
Ray Price Shuffles for
Band-in-a-Box

by Jim Baron
HTTP