Day/Emmons Setup Converts?

Chris Dorch · From: Wisconsin, USA

Who has converted from one setup to another after having spent some time the other way? Yes.. terrible question... Continue reading, if you will...

I am considering the change from Emmons to Day setup.. My steel originally came as Day, I converted it to Emmons, and now I might want to change back. However, I have been playing the Emmons setup for long enough that I will be discombobulated... Or so I think..

Who has converted setups and why? Can one get used to playing both (having different setups on different steels)?

Thanks...

Jim Bob Sedgwick · From: Clinton, Missouri USA

Chris, MHO. Why would you want to switch back? Unless you have a problem with your ankle, on either setup, you still have to rock your ankle both ways. It just takes a lot of practice to get the moves down. The changes are still the same. JMO

Chris Dorch · From: Wisconsin, USA

More natural movements is about the only thing I can think of... I originally switched because I thought I needed to in order to learn... Now, I know that's not the case... which is why I am contemplating the switch back...

Just a thought though...

Jonathan Cullifer · From: Gallatin, TN

I switched from Day to Emmons after nearly 12 years of playing the Day setup. I acquired an Emmons setup guitar and it was easier/cheaper to convert my Day-setup Carter (and myself) to the Emmons setup. The motions are slightly different, but you have to rock your ankle both ways with either setup, so there is no advantage either way unless you never rock onto your B pedal or C pedal.

Willis Vanderberg · From: Petoskey Mi

I played the Day split for years. I changed because hardly anyone in my area of Florida played the Day set up. We did a lot of sitting in both ways and it tended to limit the opportunities. I do think I liked the Day set up. It wasn't a problem for me to switch.It also seemed that a lot of Tab was written for the Emmons set up. I think when trying to teach the guitar you should refer to the result of the pedal or knee action, rather than the mechanics. If you say lower the E's as opposed the LKR it is understood better regardlees of which split you play. I am always amazed by some really good pickers who can't grip 4,5,& 8 without stopping to count the strings. Understanding your guitar is a big help in trying to learn.
You must realize this is my opinion and I could be full of B.S....LOL. My good friends Roger Rettig and Jerry Hendrix play the Day set up as good as anyone I know.

Old Bud

PS: There is and was a number of Nashville pickers who played the Day set up. I belive Weldon and Hel Rugg were two.

Russ Tkac · Posted 20 Mar 2010 10:02 am

Eugene Cole · From: near Washington Grove, MD, USA

Chris Scruggs · From: Nashville, Tennessee, USA

It is my opinion that the Jimmy Day pedal split is a more natural motion for rocking from pedal B to pedal A. If your E string knee levers are both on your left side, you will want to switch them, too.

The Day split was the original split pedal design and was actually concieved by Paul Bigsby. Bigsby split the pedals this way on Johnny Sibert's steel back in 1954 before Jimmy was even playing with pedals!

-Chris Scruggs

Chris Dorch · From: Wisconsin, USA

Thanks for the replies... Definately something to chew on...

Dan Burnham · From: Greenfield, Tennessee

Chris,
I started out Emmons, went to Day and I can tell you I liked both but there were parts I didn't like about both. Then I came upon Zane Becks which is a marriage of both. Follow me here.
1. My pedal 2 is were your pedal 1 starts if your using standard Emmons setup.
Ok

1. My Pedals 2 and 3 = Day Setup Pedals 2 and 3
2. My Pedals 3 and 4 = Emmons setup Pedals 2 and 3.

I hope I haven't confused you there but what the result is I am able to move from left to right in one sweep across the pedals. I never have to turn my left foot to the right and go back. I always start on the left side and move to the right.

For me I like this because it's more comfortable plus I have had knee surgery and it put less movement on the knee.

With the the Day Setup you always used the 2nd and 3rd pedal as starting point and had to go back. With the Emmons setup you used pedals 2 and 3 and the starting point with the left foot cranked to the right landing on pedal 1.

So having said all of that, DO WHAT IS MOST COMFORTABLE FOR YOU. That my friend is the perfect setup. Smile

Dan(BMI)
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BMI S12 Zane Beck's Tuning
www.danburnham.com

Scott Poley · From: Liverpool, England, UK

My first 2 steels were set up with the Day copedent with L-R Pedals C B A. When I ordered my Rains I made a conscious decision to move to the Emmons A B C layout. I couldn't go back now!
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Equipment: Rains D-10 8+5, Bennett Lap Steel, Little Walter Amp, Peterson Tuner, BJS Bar, Jeffran Picks, Wampler Pedals

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