Volume pedal/ankle technique

Dan Neave · From: Queensland, Australia

Hi members,

Dan here from Australia hope you’re all well.
I am trying to upload an image of me sitting on my standard height seat sitting behind my ZB SD10 to show you my volume pedal and leg position however there seems an issue with the upload so I will just explain my question.

I want to know if any of you have tips or solutions for helping me put less pressure on my toes and the front part of my foot when playing and using my volume pedals (Goodrich and Hilton)
I am quite tall and have tried the following strategies to help my foot rest further in the middle of the pedal:

1. Lowering my adjustable seat
2. Different shoes
3. Placing my max volume at the halfway point of the volume pedal
4. Adjusting the turn off and on points on the Hilton.

What I am finding is no matter what I have tried I can’t comfortably get these low profile pedals in the off position and have to start forward of the mid point if that makes sense.
I think majority of players aim to operate the volume pedal in the mid zone and only use full throttle when aiming for long sustained passages, but I have also heard some players start from a mid to forward position.

I started to think maybe I need a high profile pedal or some plywood/osb board underneath the pedal to raise it but I’m just not sure. If I was playing a C6 neck I think I would be fine as I could position my seat further back but for E9 it’s just not realistic to sit any further back then I am.

Thanks so much.

Dan

Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

Without a picture, the only thing I could suggest is to raise the back of the pedal a little (as long as it doesn’t make your knee hit the guitar). Contrary to what you might hear, not everyone likes the volume pedal fastened to the pedal bar. You might also try moving your seat away from the guitar a little, as it sounds like you might be too close to it.

Fred Treece · From: California, USA

The legs of the guitar need to be raised. Your leg should bend at the knee to a 90° angle (or as close as possible) with your foot on the VP and your seat properly adjusted. You should fit under the guitar comfortably.

I’m 6’3. I have my seat height adjusted to 22”. My low profile VP is very difficult to operate in flat footwear. I wear boots when I play. Standard height pedal steel guitars are unplayable for me. Pedal rod extenders can be purchased at the Forum Store. Hardwood dowels can be cut and placed in the guitar’s front legs to stabilize height adjustment.

Raybob Bowman · From: S. Lake Tahoe, CA, USA

I like to put my volume pedal at an angle, front aiming to the right 30-45 degrees. Seems most comfortable to me.
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Sierra U12 4+5 / 1933 Dobro / homemade Tele B-bender

David Donn · From: New South Wales, Australia

You've got to whack your heel down on the back of the pedal to get into the "off" position. Your heel has to be further back on the pedal than you might think because the axle is located pretty far towards the back on a low profile pedal.

Lee Rider · From: Fort Bragg, California, USA

I just got a pair of Organ Masters shoes and am really happy with them for the left foot on the pedals, but, with the heel and my size 15 feet (yes, I have good "understanding")d, the toe hits the pedal bar to which I have the volume pedal attached. If I slide back then I cannot reach the right knee levers. I'll try pulling the VP off of the pedal bar mount. The heel totally changes the way the VP works with my foot. Something to get used to I guess.
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StringBender Musical Instruments selling Gene Parson's StringBender products

Dale Rottacker · From: Walla Walla Washington, USA

Larry Ball · From: Airdrie, Alberta, Canada

I just experienced a recent change that I am still getting use too., which has improved my posture and position. After having all my pedals changed (0 pedal moved to 4th position) so everything was moved left one position. Plus I had some knee levers copedent’s changed. I was then told that I needed to be fitted to the guitar. So I was moved further to the right then I normally sit, plus further back. The pedals were then adjusted for correct height . This required adjustment on the volume pedal also.
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Mullen SD10, Sho~Bud SD10 LDG, Show-Pro SD10 LDG, Peavey Nashville 112, Boss Katana 100 MK11, Telonic's F100 Multi-Taper Super Pro V/P,

Dave Meis · From: Olympic Peninsula, Washington, USA

At 6’3”, I have the same problem. Boots work for me, but I drilled and tapped the rear 2 cover plate holes to 1/4-20 to accommodate adjustable feet that are available at most any hardware store. A piece of wood works, too.

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