| Author |
Topic: My bothersome C pedal |
Nathan Delacretaz
From:
Austin, Texas, USA
|
Posted 28 Oct 2003 7:18 am |
|
I've been bothered by the C pedal on my Mullen SD10. I've overlooked it for awhile and grabbed minor chords/licks in other ways, but now I'm worried that I may never get into using it properly & frequently...
Problem is that the pull is immediate & extreme on the 4th string. Pretty normal on the 5th. I've tried re-rodding the pedal a couple of different ways, but that opens up the can of worms of: the other pedals and levers' rods getting rubbed against... Heck, my F lever already ghost-moves a little when I engage the C pedal...
I've tried two rodding setups for this pedal: the one from the Mullen factory, and the one found on steelguitarinfo.com. I can't experiment much more because there just isn't any room with all that hardware operating just millimeters away.
Any ideas?
|
|
|
 |
Pete Burak
From:
Portland, OR USA
|
Posted 28 Oct 2003 7:29 am
|
|
If you are in Austin, I'd recommend taking it to Ricky Davis for a "look see".
|
|
|
|
C Dixon
From:
Duluth, GA USA
|
Posted 28 Oct 2003 8:14 am
|
|
The fourth string does move considerably more than the 5th sring; EVEN though they are both being raised a whole tone when using the C pedal.
This means the dilemma you mentioned is more normal than not. However, not such that there is not usually a good remedy. If you are not very technical inclined, best to follow the poster's advice about letting an expert like Ricky Davis look at it.
Since, in all likelyhood, they have experience that will permit them to "see" the problem and rectify it quickly and efficiently.
Also, it not uncommon for the C pedal to be the forgotten entity when it comes to a PSG. If you observe players in almost any situation, you will find that pedal rarely used. Exceptions to this is John Hughey, Larry Sasser and a number of other players. But again most do not use it very much.
I would suggest your forcing yourself to explore its incredible embellishment to our beloved E9th copedent. For it brings that 3rd inversion of a minor chord; just as the A pedal and F lever brings us the 3rd inversion of a major chord.
If you lower your 6th string a whole tone AND you split it with your B pedal, using this split with pedal B and C gives a great 13th chord on strings 4, 5 and 6 which is sooooo good in a number of musical applications.
Try it, ya might jes lack it 
In any case, may Jesus lead you in what is best,
carl |
|
|
|
Grant Johnson
From:
Nashville TN
|
Posted 28 Oct 2003 8:22 am
|
|
| I have been considering unhooking the fifth string from my C pedal and only using it to raise the fourth string a whole tone from E to F#. Has anyone else ever done that? |
|
|
|
Nathan Delacretaz
From:
Austin, Texas, USA
|
Posted 28 Oct 2003 8:59 am
|
|
Hey Pete - yep, I always think about calling Ricky, but truth is I feel like I bug the poor guy enough! I promised myself I'd try to figure things out first, just for my own education - but yep, Ricky might be getting a call!
Carl - oh yeah, I'm not willing to go without the C pedal - I'm pretty green as a player and I realize that there are hundreds of discoveries ahead! Thanks for your words of advice and encouragment!
|
|
|
|
David Doggett
From:
Bawl'mer, MD (formerly of MS, Nawluns, Gnashville, Knocksville, Lost Angeles, Bahsten. and Philly)
|
Posted 28 Oct 2003 10:41 am
|
|
| Tammy Wynette, "Apartment No. 9," - Pete Drake? |
|
|
|
Jim Palenscar
From:
Oceanside, Calif, USA
|
Posted 28 Oct 2003 12:52 pm
|
|
| Nathan- depending on the type of bellcranks that you have the E-F lever will normally move a bit when the C pedal is activated as they are both moving the same string- no big deal as the "F" lever only moves the 4th string a half-step and the C pedal is moving it a whole step. KEEP THE PEDAL! Ideally you would like both strings to begin and end their movement simultaneously when activated and sometimes this can be a bit tricky- hence the multi-holed bellcranks to allow for different leverages and pull rates. Normally the 4th string will need a longer pull (thinner string) and hence one generally has to use a location on the bellcrank farther from the cross-shaft than the one on the 5th string or have it attach to the changer closer to the axel than the 5th string. Give me a holler if this doesn't help~~ Jim |
|
|
|
Nathan Delacretaz
From:
Austin, Texas, USA
|
Posted 28 Oct 2003 2:31 pm
|
|
| Jim: the 2 schemes I've tried are as you describe (string 4's pull being one hole further from the cross shaft than string 5's)... I think Mullen's factory settings are hole 3, hole 2 respectively. |
|
|
|
