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Topic: Fessenden U12 lever lock to B6 |
Mike DiAlesandro
From:
Kent, Ohio
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Posted 23 Jan 2012 4:53 pm |
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Hello Steelers,
I am hoping someone can point me in the direction of a lever lock for a Fessenden U12, the knee lever needed to be locked is the LkR lever.
I previously contacted Jerry Fessenden about this, and he told me he did not manufacturer one.
All help will be appreciated.
Thanks, Mike |
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Len Amaral
From:
Rehoboth,MA 02769
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Posted 23 Jan 2012 8:22 pm
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When the RKR lowers the the 4th & 8th string it's easier to hold than other knee leveres. Jeff Newman thought the locking device was not needed.
Hope this is helpful,
Lenny |
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Jerry Overstreet
From:
Louisville Ky
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Posted 23 Jan 2012 8:45 pm
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Any competent steel mechanic can probably fabricate one but they'd need the guitar on hand to do it.
I'm surprised Jerry doesn't have a source to refer you. |
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Chris Reesor
From:
British Columbia, Canada
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Posted 24 Jan 2012 1:36 am Lever lock
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Len A. has a couple of good points there. Have a look at Newman's U12 copedent, or the one on Williams website, which is exactly what I am currently using.
I think that using a lock could "lock" you into thinking in two separate modes rather than taking the "one big tuning" approach which I believe will yield the most that E9/B6 can offer. There are quite a number of uses for those "other" pedals without your E's lowered.
With the E lowers on RKR, it would be fairly easy to use a bungee to hold that lever in should you so desire.
Well, that's my $.02 worth for now; hope I made some sense and helped a little.
Cheers, Chris
_________________
Excel Superb U12, MIJ Squier tele, modified Deluxe Reverb RI, Cube 80XL, self built acoustics & mandolins |
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Chris Reesor
From:
British Columbia, Canada
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Posted 24 Jan 2012 1:36 am Lever lock
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x2 
_________________
Excel Superb U12, MIJ Squier tele, modified Deluxe Reverb RI, Cube 80XL, self built acoustics & mandolins
Last edited by Chris Reesor on 24 Jan 2012 2:18 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Chris Reesor
From:
British Columbia, Canada
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Posted 24 Jan 2012 1:37 am Lever lock
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x3
_________________
Excel Superb U12, MIJ Squier tele, modified Deluxe Reverb RI, Cube 80XL, self built acoustics & mandolins
Last edited by Chris Reesor on 24 Jan 2012 2:19 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Chris Reesor
From:
British Columbia, Canada
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Posted 24 Jan 2012 1:39 am Lever lock
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x4.....
_________________
Excel Superb U12, MIJ Squier tele, modified Deluxe Reverb RI, Cube 80XL, self built acoustics & mandolins
Last edited by Chris Reesor on 24 Jan 2012 2:20 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Chris Reesor
From:
British Columbia, Canada
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Posted 24 Jan 2012 1:45 am Lever lock
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x5.....
_________________
Excel Superb U12, MIJ Squier tele, modified Deluxe Reverb RI, Cube 80XL, self built acoustics & mandolins
Last edited by Chris Reesor on 24 Jan 2012 2:21 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Chris Reesor
From:
British Columbia, Canada
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Posted 24 Jan 2012 1:59 am Lever lock
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x6....
_________________
Excel Superb U12, MIJ Squier tele, modified Deluxe Reverb RI, Cube 80XL, self built acoustics & mandolins
Last edited by Chris Reesor on 24 Jan 2012 2:21 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Chris Reesor
From:
British Columbia, Canada
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Posted 24 Jan 2012 2:08 am Lever lock
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x7....
_________________
Excel Superb U12, MIJ Squier tele, modified Deluxe Reverb RI, Cube 80XL, self built acoustics & mandolins
Last edited by Chris Reesor on 24 Jan 2012 2:22 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Mike DiAlesandro
From:
Kent, Ohio
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Posted 24 Jan 2012 3:25 am
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Thanks for he suggestions, but my bull-headed nature insists on leaving my knee lever setup as-is.
I have played standard set-up E9th/C6th til now, and have settlled on LKR lowering my E's.
Also I have read the countless threads on the advantages of having the change on RKR, (which I tried out for a bit, even did lock it in with a bungee!)
I also understand the Universal as one BIG tuning, but feel I would like to play some of the C6th material I learned with a locking lever when needed.
Hopefully someone will hook me up with the knee lever lock. I believe I should be able to install it with minimal instruction.
Thanks, Mike  |
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Chris Reesor
From:
British Columbia, Canada
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Posted 24 Jan 2012 5:30 am Lever lock
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Oops.
(thanks Clete.)
_________________
Excel Superb U12, MIJ Squier tele, modified Deluxe Reverb RI, Cube 80XL, self built acoustics & mandolins
Last edited by Chris Reesor on 24 Jan 2012 2:23 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 24 Jan 2012 5:48 am
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I don't know who currently makes them with the locks, but I'd recommend talking directly to the maker.
Personally, unless you aim to add an additional LKR to hit at will without having to worry about letting go of that one, I'd have to join the crowd asking "what's the point?", but I also believe that "because I want to" makes a sufficient answer.
If the problem is that you find it wearing to hold it down, perhaps rerodding for greater travel and less effort?
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
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Bill Hankey
From:
Pittsfield, MA, USA
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Posted 24 Jan 2012 6:26 am
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| I devised a lock years ago that resembled a spring loaded ratchet wheel. It featured a short handle that could be conveniently locked into position by reaching under the steel. It served the purpose without a hitch. |
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Len Amaral
From:
Rehoboth,MA 02769
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Posted 24 Jan 2012 6:26 am
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| Maybe getting a copy of Jeff Newman's U-12 video will explain how this tuning operates without a lock. I had a Sierra with a LKR that lowered the E's and had a lock that I removed. I know it's difficult to change the way you play with a knee setup but at least look at all possibilities and approaches. |
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Mike DiAlesandro
From:
Kent, Ohio
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Posted 24 Jan 2012 9:06 am
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| Len Amaral wrote: |
| Maybe getting a copy of Jeff Newman's U-12 video will explain how this tuning operates without a lock. I had a Sierra with a LKR that lowered the E's and had a lock that I removed. I know it's difficult to change the way you play with a knee setup but at least look at all possibilities and approaches. |
Thank You Len and others for all the input.
I am interested in broadening my horizons thru Jeff Newman's U-12 copedent and theory. But due to laziness  and lack of time on my end I need to keep things as they are for now. Maybe I am in search of something not necessary, but I feel I would like to try out. I just would like it as an added option, a kind of way to bridge the way between B6 Universal and E9th/C6th, for the time being. |
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Jerry Overstreet
From:
Louisville Ky
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Posted 24 Jan 2012 9:17 am
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I played Sierras for several years with Eb lock on LKR. You don't have to use the lock if you don't want it, but you can't use it if you don't have it. BTW, I was still able to reach all the pedals while holding in the LKR for short licks etc.
I also played another brand with Jeff's tuning. I found I preferred the Sierra system with the lock.
It's up to the player and I would never insist that what's good for me is good for another. That applies here same as tunings, set-ups etc.
You can play the one big tuning with this arrangement same as the other. Plenty of players play the Sierra lok system.
In case you missed it guys, Mike stated that he already contacted Fessenden and they didn't have anything to offer.
I could make one for you myself out of some basic stock and parts but I wouldn't attempt it without having the guitar on my bench. The body is probably already drilled for extra crossrods, so it shouldn't be any problem to attach a mechanism there and fashion applicable linkage
to operate it. |
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Mike DiAlesandro
From:
Kent, Ohio
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Posted 24 Jan 2012 1:41 pm
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| Jerry Overstreet wrote: |
I played Sierras for several years with Eb lock on LKR. You don't have to use the lock if you don't want it, but you can't use it if you don't have it. BTW, I was still able to reach all the pedals while holding in the LKR for short licks etc.
I also played another brand with Jeff's tuning. I found I preferred the Sierra system with the lock.
It's up to the player and I would never insist that what's good for me is good for another. That applies here same as tunings, set-ups etc.
You can play the one big tuning with this arrangement same as the other. Plenty of players play the Sierra lok system.
In case you missed it guys, Mike stated that he already contacted Fessenden and they didn't have anything to offer.
I could make one for you myself out of some basic stock and parts but I wouldn't attempt it without having the guitar on my bench. The body is probably already drilled for extra crossrods, so it shouldn't be any problem to attach a mechanism there and fashion applicable linkage
to operate it. |
Thanks Jerry, you understand exactly what I am trying to say. Unfortunately, we live a distance apart. You are correct, there are predrilled cross-shaft holes right next to the knee lever. I kinda hoped to get a few parts and try and rig something myself. I attached a photo, it should show a pretty decent view of the lever in question, a standard reversing lever setup with square cross-shaft.
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Micky Byrne
From:
United Kingdom (deceased)
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Posted 24 Jan 2012 1:59 pm Re: Fessenden U12 lever lock to B6
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Mike...the majority of universal players me included, do without a lock...it limits you from just having one "BIG" tuning. Don't think E9th and B6th ...just enjoy one big tuning where you can flow from the 9th sounds to the 6th sounds... ENJOY
Micky Byrne U.K. |
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Jerry Overstreet
From:
Louisville Ky
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Posted 24 Jan 2012 2:27 pm
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Yeah, I see Mike. I've never touched a Fessy, never been able to see the underside of one, but if you remove that piece of moulding on the rear apron, that's probably where the cross shafts are loaded in and ride on a bushing of some kind.
The opening under the KL hub appears to be made to clear a cross rod. Adding a short cross rod member there, from the rear apron to a bracket/boss for the other end [at the open area there just between the inside of the hub and those pull rods] would give you an attachment point for some sort of knob, eccentric lever etc. mechanism that you could actuate to hold the lever in the lowered position when desired.
Without actually seeing the guitar, knowing the cross rod size, the bushing method, dimensions, etc. it would be impossible for me to craft a proper device that both operates efficiently and follows the physical/mechanical design of your guitar. That's why I wouldn't attempt it without having the guitar here.
You could probably manage it yourself though with some imagination and understanding of basic physics and mechanics.
I'd be glad to help you any way I can from a distance. Feel free to PM or email if so. Maybe someone around your area has some expertise in this area. |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 24 Jan 2012 11:37 pm
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| Jerry Overstreet wrote: |
<SNIP>
In case you missed it guys, Mike stated that he already contacted Fessenden and they didn't have anything to offer. |
I didn't miss it, but I didn't make myself clear.
I meant take the Fessenden to Del Mullen, Bruce Zumsteg or whoever else makes the lock. I bet they'd work on a guitar made by Jerry.
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
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John Bresler R.I.P.
From:
Thornton, Colorado
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Posted 25 Jan 2012 8:44 am
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Mike:
Contact Mike Mantley at Mullen Guitars and see if the Mullen lock will work on a Fessy.
I bought one a few years back for my U-12 Mullen and it works great and is extremely easy to install. Only Del or Mike would know if it will work on your Fessy, tho.
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Mike DiAlesandro
From:
Kent, Ohio
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Jerry Overstreet
From:
Louisville Ky
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Posted 25 Jan 2012 9:47 am
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Those De-Sta-Co gadgets look like a good universal way to go. I'd forgotten about this thread and Lynn's photo.
They make several styles of these things and even come in stainless steel for "pretty" if you want.
Best of luck. Keep us posted. |
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Pete Burak
From:
Portland, OR USA
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Posted 25 Jan 2012 11:13 am
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imho, Having a lever lock makes a Universal more Universal than a Universal without a lever lock.
The main issue being, if a person wants to practice the 6th tuning for the next 6 months (often times new S12U players are also new to the 6th tuning), why should they have to hold a lever over for 6 months???
You don't have to hold the lever over... That's why we have bungee cords and/or Lever Locks.
I think the person has enough PSG stuff to figure out... they shouldn't have to deal with holding a knee lever over, and given that there is currently no such thing as an Instructional Course called "S12U - One Big Tuning"...
Get a Lock or a Bungee cord, grab some C6th instructional materials, and let the deciphering begin!  |
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