Pedal Steel on Carpet - Solutions?

Ben Waligoske · Post by **Ben Waligoske** » 11 Jun 2015 11:16 am

Hey all,

I know this is a topic that's been discussed before but for some reason I'm having a hard time finding any archived results, so feel free to point me in the right direction if you have better luck...

Anyways - just moved to a new place that's carpeted in all the rooms where I'll be playing steel, and hoping to find some sort of rug/mat that my steel can live on to make working the pedals a little easier...

Obviously I'm looking at various types of rugs and office chair mats, etc... don't need anything too fancy, and definitely don't need a "platform" of any type... Ideally just something cheap and simple (and maybe even easily portable?) that will do the job.

Do people have any good/bad experience with those clear plastic office chair mats? Would a rug or some sort of rubber mat be better?

Any recommendations are much appreciated - happy steelin' ya'll...

Ian Rae · Post by **Ian Rae** » 11 Jun 2015 11:25 am

When I found myself in the same situation I grabbed a piece of thin plywood as a temporary fix. That was four years ago.

Chuck Blake · Post by **Chuck Blake** » 11 Jun 2015 11:29 am

Clear Desk Pad.....Office Max or any office supply

Dave Bertoncini · Post by **Dave Bertoncini** » 11 Jun 2015 11:34 am

3/4" MDF

Ian Rae · Post by **Ian Rae** » 11 Jun 2015 11:37 am

Dave, I don't have your head for heights...

Bruce Derr · Post by **Bruce Derr** » 11 Jun 2015 12:07 pm

> "...and maybe even easily portable?"

I have four little pieces of 1/2" plywood, each about the size of a playing card, that I can slip under the steel's leg tips when on a soft surface.

Or you could try those little discs sold at hardware stores for furniture legs.

Ian Rae · Post by **Ian Rae** » 11 Jun 2015 12:14 pm

I think Ben wants his feet to be on it.

Dave Bertoncini · Post by **Dave Bertoncini** » 11 Jun 2015 12:21 pm

I tried the little plastic coasters for under furniture and they helped stabilize the steel...but as you say my feet were still on the carpet and pedals too high. If I would have adjusted the pedals then they would be too low on a solid surface

Jack Hanson · Post by **Jack Hanson** » 11 Jun 2015 12:27 pm

I use three of those little round brown plastic furniture leg cups from Ace Hardware. Two under the front legs, and one under the stud on the underside the Emmons volume pedal. They raise the front legs and VP high enough to prevent them from bottoming out in the carpeting before they reach their full extension. Nothing elegant, but quick, easy, cheap, portable, and effective.

Jonathan Cullifer · Post by **Jonathan Cullifer** » 11 Jun 2015 12:31 pm

I'll second the MDF suggestion.

John Billings · Post by **John Billings** » 11 Jun 2015 12:35 pm

I go with MDF also. Clubs always had these stages covered with 1960's shag carpet, I cut a piece of 3/4 MDF big enough for my steel. Cut a "monkey grip" hole so it was easy to carry. Yeah,,, an extra thing to carry in, but better than a whole night's frustration!

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 11 Jun 2015 12:49 pm

In my last house my music room had 3" 1974 ruby red pile. I used the big round plastic mat.

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 11 Jun 2015 2:59 pm

A good sharp pair of sissors.

Don R Brown · Post by **Don R Brown** » 11 Jun 2015 7:06 pm

4x4 foot piece of 1/2" plywood here. Steel, seat, pedal, and my feet fit on the wood. Well worth the $20 or so.

Tony Glassman · Post by **Tony Glassman** » 11 Jun 2015 7:10 pm

Plastic desk chair mat will do the job, and it can be folded in half for transport if needed. Both the steel and seat fit on mine. Spent about $ 25 at Staples.

Robert Harper · Post by **Robert Harper** » 11 Jun 2015 10:38 pm

I used two coasters under the front legs, when I had this issue

Steve Hitsman · Post by **Steve Hitsman** » 12 Jun 2015 2:59 am

I had a slightly different situation a few years ago. Played outside at some wineries on pavers which are notoriously uneven. I constructed a "floor" of 2x4 "joists" with 1/2" plywood on top. It was a little heavy to move around but it kept me from having to adjust to four different leg lengths.

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 12 Jun 2015 11:59 am

Tony Glassman wrote:Plastic desk chair mat will do the job, and it can be folded in half for transport if needed. Both the steel and seat fit on mine. Spent about $ 25 at Staples.

YES agreed, spend the $25, save the carpet and give the Steel a secure surface. Cut off the protruding end if desired..or not...

Tony Smart · Post by **Tony Smart** » 12 Jun 2015 1:07 pm

Not only can pedals bottom out on thick carpet, but also so can the lug on an Emmons type foot pedal.
i.e. It can stop it reaching full volume.

Don R Brown · Post by **Don R Brown** » 12 Jun 2015 2:05 pm

Only trouble with those plastic chair mats is they don't last worth a hoot. I've gone through about 4 or 5 for my desk where the computer is, and they last maybe 8-10 months and wear out. Not to mention $30 for a sheet of plastic is a rip-off of epic proportions.

William Liemandt · Post by **William Liemandt** » 12 Jun 2015 7:05 pm

This is what I did. 3/4" plywood topped with 1/4" laminated flooring, then trimmed the edge with about 1/2" of hardwood. Very stable but too heavy to take anywhere.

Jerry Roller · Post by **Jerry Roller** » 12 Jun 2015 10:47 pm

Ben, on my LeGrande guitars I have a pair of legs with standard crutch tips (rubber feet) and the other pair has the longer tips. When I play on carpet I put the longer tip legs in front which makes the pedals further off the floor. When on hard floor surface I use the legs with the standard size tips in front. Works perfect. I stock both sizes of crutch tips.
Jerry

Ben Waligoske · Post by **Ben Waligoske** » 12 Jun 2015 11:16 pm

Holy cow! Here I was expecting a quick reply or two but I really appreciate all you folks who have chimed in and started a little discussion about this.

Lots of good solutions it seems like. I'll probably look into the MDF and check a couple thrift stores to see if I can get a deal on an office mat to try. The particular carpet in my house doesn't render my steel unplayable, but it's noticeable and I know I'll run into it again, so gotta figure something out!

Anyone else?

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 13 Jun 2015 3:50 am

Don R Brown wrote:Only trouble with those plastic chair mats is they don't last worth a hoot. I've gone through about 4 or 5 for my desk where the computer is, and they last maybe 8-10 months and wear out. Not to mention $30 for a sheet of plastic is a rip-off of epic proportions.

While that is true for the lower cost mats, the higher cost mats do indeed offer more quality ! I know this first hand... I have two..one for my office area and one UNDER the Steel. Probably over two years now...

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Pedal Steel on Carpet - Solutions?

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