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Topic: One legged pedal steel player needs electronic options |
David Stilley
From:
Santa Cruz, California, USA
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Posted 6 Sep 2012 9:00 pm |
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I lost my right leg about 2 1/2" below the knee. I had just gotten into pedal steel as a 6-stringer back in 2000 when the amputation happened. I put away the musical instruments for some time (I needed to focus on being Dad to an autistic child). Now my son is grown and doesn't require as much time from me and I'm picking up playing again. I missed it very much.
I've decided to leave the standard guitars in storage for now and focus exclusively on steel. I've been playing a lot of lap steel and started back to learning the pedal steel again. My main problem of course is the lack of a right foot for working the volume pedal. My first idea is to put a light spring inside the pedal under the heel (using a Goodrich pot pedal now) so that it will operate by just giving some downward pressure to turn it down and then I can control the rise by slowly lifting my leg.
I'm also interested in getting a stomp box that will give me an automated volume swell effect similar to the "auto-wah" type of envelope follower. Does anyone know of an effects box that fits that bill? I've been out of the guitar effects so long I don't know what's available or been available in the last 12-14 years.
Also any other advice is welcome, thanks! |
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Dave Bertoncini
From:
Sun City West, Arizona USA
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Posted 6 Sep 2012 9:54 pm
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| Check out Telonics which you can use a TMRS sensor on a hat to control volume by tilting your head forward and back [url] http://www.tpa-az.com/page8.htm[/url] |
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Stephen Cowell
From:
Round Rock, Texas, USA
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Posted 6 Sep 2012 10:54 pm
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Breath controllers have come a long way... I'm sure there's a way to get one to act like a volume pedal.
_________________
New FB Page: Lap Steel Licks And Stuff: https://www.facebook.com/groups/195394851800329 |
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David Stilley
From:
Santa Cruz, California, USA
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Posted 6 Sep 2012 11:25 pm
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| Thanks Dave and Steve, The Telonics pedal is pretty pricey, near $600.00......OUCH! But it is an option (if I get in a band again and start gigging to pay for it!). As far a breath controlers, I hadn't thought of that. It would require some kind of host device, maybe an old style VCA from a synth type circuit. Of course that's what I was thinking originally was an ADSR and a VCA, old synth module circuits. I know Electro-Harmonix had a stomp box called the Micro-Synth for guitar that had the ADSR, VCF and VCA and an octave-fuzz all in one box. They probably don't make them anymore and as a vintage box it would probably cost me another leg! |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 7 Sep 2012 4:12 pm
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| Anyone with rudimentary skills could make you a volume control that you operated with your right elbow. It could be mounted on a mike stand and would be as simple as putting a spring-loaded lever on a pot. That would seem much less less elaborate and distracting than a head-mounted controller, or a breath-operated one...to me, anyway. |
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David Stilley
From:
Santa Cruz, California, USA
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Posted 7 Sep 2012 7:03 pm
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An interesting idea Donny, thanks. I'll have to think about that one. I'm not sure that I have the same picture in mind that you do though. Are you meaning a lever similar to a small Knee lever but that rotates the pot with a return spring attached to turn it back up automatically?
I'd still like a stomp box option as well. I talked to a sales guy at the local used music instrument store and he told me about a discontinued Boss pedal called SG-1 (slow gear) that does automated volume swells variable by a knob. They go for $400+ on eBay!! He also said there was a Guyatone version but I can't find that yet anywhere. |
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Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
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Dave Beaty
From:
Mesa, Arizona, USA
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Posted 7 Sep 2012 10:03 pm Offer of assistance
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Hi David,
It would be our pleasure to be of assistance if you wish. You have a PM and an email. We make such equipment available when needed, you need not be concerned with the cost.
These pictures show one approach when both legs are not available, there are quite a number of successful methologies when one leg and both hands are available.
Dave
Telonics, Inc
Mesa, Arizona
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David Stilley
From:
Santa Cruz, California, USA
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Posted 7 Sep 2012 10:21 pm
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| Thanks Dave, That is a very kind offer. I will be in contact soon so we can talk. |
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James M Peters
From:
Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, USA
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Posted 8 Sep 2012 4:44 pm Electronic
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My hats off to you Mr. Beaty and the folks at Telonics Inc. This is what it's all about and why I love the Steel community so much. Make that steel play pretty Mr Stilley and God's blessings.
_________________
GFI Ultra SD10 3x4,
Peavey Nashville 112 |
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John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 8 Sep 2012 5:43 pm
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| Maybe a right wrist lever? |
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David Stilley
From:
Santa Cruz, California, USA
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Posted 29 Oct 2012 5:20 pm A kid at Christmas
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Well, thanks to Dave Beaty and Telonics I'm about to receive a Telonics Volume pedal and a TMRS remote sensor that I'll be able to attach to the end of my amputated leg below the knee. This is on the foot that would normally operate the volume pedal. By raising and lowering what is left below my knee I will be able to control the volume pedal of my steel. I'm very excited, like a kid at Christmas about this. Dave and Telonics have been very kind in their offer to help me and I am very grateful for their efforts. This kind of thing really touches your heart. Their are some people in this world that really surprise me in how kind they are and Dave Beaty is one of those people.
_________________
GFI Ultra U-12 7+5 E9/B6, Roland Cube 80XL, Telonics FP-100 Volume pedal with TMRS remote sensor (courtesy of Dave Beaty and Telonics) |
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Dave Bertoncini
From:
Sun City West, Arizona USA
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Posted 29 Oct 2012 5:28 pm
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| Dave is the best. Hope it all works well for you |
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Ross Shafer
From:
Petaluma, California
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Posted 30 Oct 2012 5:40 am
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| What a great thing to do Dave, you're a prince! Happy Steelin' David! |
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Ross Shafer
From:
Petaluma, California
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Posted 30 Oct 2012 5:40 am
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| What a great thing to do Dave, you're a prince! Happy Steelin' David! |
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Jeff Valentine
From:
Colorado Springs, USA
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Posted 3 Nov 2012 1:16 pm
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Thanks for doing that Dave. I'm not surprised at all. I started reading the post and knew I'd see a response like that from you. Thanks for doing such a wonderful thing. What a pleasure it must be to see all that attention to detail help someone who really need it.
-Jeff |
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Paul Foster
From:
Arizona, USA
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Posted 3 Nov 2012 6:51 pm Dave Beaty
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| Not only is Dave one of the nicest people I have ever been acquainted with but he is a Fine steel player and I am proud to call him "MY FRIEND" Paul Foster |
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David Stilley
From:
Santa Cruz, California, USA
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Posted 24 Nov 2012 7:42 am The FP-100 Telonics Volume Pedal
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Well the Telonics volume pedal is working out great. I couldn't get the knee mount working well, I didn't notice before but my knee cap "pops" when I'm moving through my range of motion and the Telonics pedal senses it and you can hear the jump when it pops! I'm using the hat mount and it's getting easier to control. Dave Beaty and the folks at Telonics are great people putting out a great product and I'm eternally grateful for the help they gave me. I couldn't give the pedal a higher recommendation. "5 STAR all the way"
_________________
GFI Ultra U-12 7+5 E9/B6, Roland Cube 80XL, Telonics FP-100 Volume pedal with TMRS remote sensor (courtesy of Dave Beaty and Telonics) |
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Jerry Overstreet
From:
Louisville Ky
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Posted 24 Nov 2012 8:11 am
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Three cheers and many kudos to Dave Beaty and the folks at Telonics for their genuine concern and assistance to allow you this gear.
Such a terrific and endearing gesture on their part.
I wish you all the best with your steel playing and life in general. |
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James Quackenbush
From:
Pomona, New York, USA
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Posted 24 Nov 2012 8:42 am
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I love reading posts like this ....It restores my faith in mankind !!.....Thanks so much Dave B for this gesture of kindness and your generousity !!!.....You will continue to be blessed for such kindness !!.....
David ,
Happy Playing .....I'm so glad that this worked out for you !!.....Sincerely, Jim |
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