New to Pedal Steel - Copedent

[Mark Showalter]

I am new to the pedal steel world and am now the happy owner of a (new to me) BMI S10 3x4. It's my first pedal steel guitar. It's in great condition for its age and the purchase included a Webb 6-14-E amp along with a large collection of 1980's era lesson books and Steel Guitar International newsletters (1978 - 1983). No copedent was included. After tuning the strings and trying all the pedals and levers I ended up with the copedent you see in the chart. I've seen a lot of conflicting information so I'm not sure if this will work well as I begin to learn the instrument. Would you make any changes?

[Eric Dahlhoff]

String 9 should be "D" not D#.
Otherwise that's standard. Or... one of the "standards"

Welcome to the wonderful word of pedals steel Mark!

[Mark Showalter]

Thanks Eric. I've changed the graphic. EDIT: 9th string open is a D rather than D#. Excel did an autofill.

[Dave Grafe]

Other than RKL that's a very standard Emmons setup with E's on left knee, you're good to go!

RKL is often set up to raise 1+2 (F#>G# and D#>E respectively) and lower 6 G#>F# but you can save that change until you feel the need for it, there's lots of good music and learning for you as it is.

RKR is often set up to lower string 2 1/2 step D#>D BEFORE string 9 begins to lower, generating a feel stop with dom7 on string 2 before continuing to lower both 2+9 to D, but again you're fine with it as it is for the time being.

[John Larson]

Only thing I might change is the RKL to F#>G# and the 9th string change on RKR that was mentioned above. With the whole step pull on the RKL you can always half lever to get the G but have more options with the more modern whole step pull. Some like Paul Franklin add a pull on the 2nd string that pulls the D# to E also on RKL.

[Dennis Detweiler]

What you have is a good starting point and much to learn from this copedent.

[Bill McCloskey]

You might want to check your RKL. Look to see if you notice the plastic hex nut on the 2nd string move when you engage it. A common change is for the first string to go to G#, the second string to go to E and the seventh string to go from F# to G#

[Bobby D. Jones]

The ABC pedals, LKL raising 4-8, LKR lowering 4-8, RKR lowering 2-9 are the the essentials, (meat and potatoes) of the Emmons E9th tuning. They cover about ever thing you need.
The RKL and a LKV are sort of special use. That have many uses according to the area you play in, And the type of music you play. Can be used for special licks and phrasing, When needed.

Welcome to your journey with a steel guitar, Happy Steelin.

[Chris Templeton]

RKL, I'd go 1st string F#-G# & 6th string G#-F#, if the guitar can handle it.

[Rich Ertelt]

I have RKL to raise string 1 to G and string 2 to E. I use a half stop feel to get a G on string 1. With AB down, that is the 7. I use that a LOT, as well as the raise to E.
On string 2, RKR, I drop string 2 to D, and also use a half stop feel with the 9th string to get that, and full lower is to C#. Another one I use a Lot.

I recently ordered a new Mullen, which may be here someday, and that was pretty much a standard setup for them.

Not sure if you can get those, but they are pretty important to me.

[Chris Templeton]

Jerry Fessenden put that change on my guitar, Nice.
For those whoe's steel mechanically can, try raising the 5th string "B" up a major 3rd, with a lever, With a slightly slacker open string, that change is easier to achieve.
I never broke a string with that change. Using an unwound string is easier..