miniature pedal steel models.

Jeff Metz Jr. · From: York, Pennsylvania, USA

I have been tinkering with the idea of making a miniature pedal steel replica for some time. Just a little project to pass the time when I should be practicing the real thing. But I believe it would be beneficial to learning how the instrument works, or at least the fundementals of rodding and what not.
Im talking like a little cabinet around the size of a carton of smokes, made with nice wood, little tiny bell cranks and some type of wire for pull rods. Tuners would be a problem but something would work out. I've never built a model anything so this sounds like a difficult yet fun project. I want to try to make it as functional as possible. But something tells me that little pedals will not have enough tension for raises and lowers.
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Mullen G2 SD10 , Lil Izzy Buffer, Goodrich 120 volume pedal, Boss DD-7, Peterson Strobo flip, Peavey Nashville 112

Per Berner · From: Skovde, Sweden

Sounds fiddly. Winking

richard burton · From: Britain

If you're going to go to all the trouble of making a scale model, why not make a fully-functioning full size steel?
That's how I got started on steels, I didn't know anything about them at all, so I designed my own from the ground up.

It was quite a learning curve Very Happy

Richard Sinkler · From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

Barry Thomas (Thomas Steel Guitars) built a mini PSG that was playable. It's been a while, but I do remember him showing it to me. He sat on the floor and it had pedals and knee levers that worked. The frets would intonate perfectly(is there such a thing?) as he went up the neck. The body probably wasn't much bigger than you are talking about. Does anyone have any pics or other info about Barry's guitar.

Someone must know how to get in touch with Barry. I haven't talked to him or seen him since he moved to Oklahoma. I would love to get in touch with him again. Please don't post his contact info here for all the world to see.
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Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 54 years and still counting.

Sherman Willden · From: Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=167478&highlight=chelsea
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Sherman L. Willden
It is easy to play the steel guitar. Playing so that the audience finds it pleasing is the difficult act.

Jeff Metz Jr. · From: York, Pennsylvania, USA

Haha I just came across that miniature ZB steel yesterday before I posted my idea on the forum. I was just searching to see if anyone had the same idea I did. Think... some people like building model cars. why not a model pedal steel. I was actually thinking of something even progressively smaller. Even down to size of a pack of cigarettes steel.

Also Why I wouldnt build a full size steel is simply the price of materials. I would love to but i just don't have the means.
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Mullen G2 SD10 , Lil Izzy Buffer, Goodrich 120 volume pedal, Boss DD-7, Peterson Strobo flip, Peavey Nashville 112

Fred Eddie-Quartey · From: Illinois, USA

Hi Jeff,

Is this what you had in mind?

I built this model Emmons pedal steel 27 years ago this month. I was about a week shy of my 18th birthday. God, how time flies...Anyway, as you can see, I had a few details wrong. The most glaring one is that the right endplate indicates that it's a push-pull, even though I've written "LeGrande" on the pedal rack. At the time, I didn't have many resources to use as a guide. I was not playing steel then, either. I had only been playing 6-string about a little over a year and knew very little about steels.

I thought it was interesting that you had an interest in building model steels and I remembered that I had this one.

Jeff Metz Jr. · From: York, Pennsylvania, USA

that is too cool, just what I was thinking. What is the scale? I dont expect you to know exactly but what is it the samr size as? Its awesome! Does it function? Thanks
Jeff
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Mullen G2 SD10 , Lil Izzy Buffer, Goodrich 120 volume pedal, Boss DD-7, Peterson Strobo flip, Peavey Nashville 112

Fred Eddie-Quartey · From: Illinois, USA

Thanks! I didn't make it to scale. I used a miniature model 6-string guitar that I'd made as a reference for the neck scale length.

I do have the dimensions:

Cabinet from front apron to rear: approx. 1.5"
Height from top of strings to leg tips: 4"
Width from endplate to endplate: 4"

Unfortunately, it doesn't function. The only parts that move are the spring-loaded rear RKL and the rear legs, which can be raised or lowered.

Joey Ace · From: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Very cool Fred !

I didn't notice the End Plate until you mentioned it.
The error that caught my eye was the position markers.

I'd like to see a picture with a Quarter (25 cent piece) next to it.

Fred Eddie-Quartey · From: Illinois, USA

Thanks, Joey! At the time, I didn't have any literature which showed the fret boards from the top so I had to improvise.

I'll post another pic with a quarter for scale, and I might also include the volume pedal, seat, and Peavey amp I made for the steel as well - if I can find them.

Alfred Ewell · From: Virginia, USA

Fred Eddie-Quartey · From: Illinois, USA

Here are a couple more pics, this time with a quarter for scale. I've also included the volume pedal as well:

Jeff Metz Jr. · From: York, Pennsylvania, USA

This is ridiculous! Your mind must produce some of the same crazy ideas that mine does. I hope we can start a craze!. Think of some of the beautiful lacquer guitars people could make. If you could get one that size to function i would die! Imagine plugging it up to that little nv400 and making a recording. Hell why not make an entire GOOD SOUNDING ALBUM on all 1/100 scale instruments! haha
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Mullen G2 SD10 , Lil Izzy Buffer, Goodrich 120 volume pedal, Boss DD-7, Peterson Strobo flip, Peavey Nashville 112

Fred Glave · From: McHenry, Illinois, USA

Okay, the mini steel has already been made. How about a GIANT pedal steel? I'm thinking 2 stories high and about 75 feet long. Fully functioning mind you.
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Zum Encore, Zum Stage One, Fender 2000, Harlan Bros., Multi-Kord,

Jim Lindsey (Louisiana) · From: Greenwell Springs, Louisiana (deceased)

Jim Lindsey (Louisiana) · From: Greenwell Springs, Louisiana (deceased)

Now that I've recovered from laughing at the idea of my behemoth ex-wive playing a giant steel guitar, I gotta get serious here.

Fred, I love that little Emmons model you made. That is so cool ... very nice job on it! In 1976 I got so enthused about buying my first double neck guitar that I made a miniature model of it out of balsa wood. It was about 4" long and sort of crappy looking, but you could tell it was a steel. I'm not sure what I did with that little guitar (I have a vague recollection of giving it to Maurice Anderson, but I can't remember if I actually did or if I'd just thought about giving it to him ... it's hell being in the late 50s where little details like that escape your memory! Laughing

).

Seeing your pics has me fired up to try my hand at making a model of my 1986 Mullen. I may have to try that one day. If I do, I'll post some photos of it. Smile

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1986 Mullen D-10 with 8 & 7 (Dual Bill Lawrence 705 pickups each neck)
Two Peavey Nashville 400 Amps (with a Session 500 in reserve) - Yamaha SPX-90 II
Peavey ProFex II - Yamaha R-1000 Digital Reverb - Ross Time Machine Digital Delay - BBE Sonic Maximizer 422A
ProCo RAT R2DU Dual Distortion - Korg DT-1 Pro Tuner (Rack Mounted) - Furman PL-8 Power Bay
Goodrich Match-Bro by Buddy Emmons - BJS Steel Bar (Dunlop Finger Picks / Golden Gate Thumb Picks)

Jeff Garden · From: Center Sandwich, New Hampshire, USA

That is great, Fred! I really like the mini road case with the cords and volume pedal as well. What's the next step to raise the difficulty factor...building one inside a bottle like the ship model guys?

Fred Eddie-Quartey · From: Illinois, USA

Thanks for the compliments, guys! I was thinking of making a more accurate model with better materials but just haven't had the time. At the time I made these, I had all the time in the world - to be young again! I'd be interested to see what any of you can come up with!

CrowBear Schmitt · From: Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France

Jack Harper · From: Mississippi, USA

i see him on the forum, fron time to time, steeler ronnie neighbors of hot springs, arkansas, built a fully functional pedal steel for his way less than teenage daughter about 30 years ago.
after she grew out of it he had it on display at his music store. he is retired now, but still plays steel shows. was once a young texas playboy, for bob.

country.........

John Peay · From: Cumming, Georgia USA

Man, what great Christmas tree ornaments these minature steels would make!

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