Anybody use a 2" lower?

Jamie Mitchell · From: Nashville, TN

Howdy!

I'm a short guy, 5'5", maybe 5'6". Playing a Zumsteel Encore, sometimes going back and forth between lap steel. I got a 1" inch lower kit for the Encore, but it still feels too tall. Using LKL, for instance, my leg just catches the end of the lever. So, usually the seat ends up being a bit higher than I would want it for lap steel - where I'm trying to keep my legs somewhat parallel to the ground.

I can play like this, its fine, but I'm wondering if any other short guys have been using a 2" lower? Also, is there any real standard of how far below the guitar the tops of your legs should be?

Thanks guys,
Jamie

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

You could drive out the threaded plugs, cut a couple inches off the legs (including the inner pipes), and cut down the pedal rods and thread the ends again.
My preferred height is top of thigh around 2 inches below the endplates
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects

Dick Sexton · From: Greenville, Ohio

My steel is 27 1/2 inches floor to strings. I have very short legs, so I opt for forearms level to the deck. Seat height about 19". I struggle with a normal height steel, others struggle with mine. Confused

Howard Parker · From: Maryland

I'm 5'5" +/- . My guitar is 25' to the bottom of the end plate which makes it 2" below "standard", I believe. It fits like a glove.

If it's just the one knee giving you fits you might be able to rig up an extension. Back when I had a "standard" guitar I got a few sections of pvc pipe from the hardware store that slipped over the knees. That made life much more pleasant.

If your 1" kit is new Bruce might be willing to do an exchange. New legs and pedal rods.

h

Tucker Jackson · From: Portland, Oregon, USA

Jaime, I have a friend that has a new Encore with the 2" lower. She is 5' 2" (I think that's what she said). Even at that short stature, the 2" lower is on the verge of being too low. Depending on the size of the heel on the shoe or volume pedal used, the back legs have to be slightly extended sometimes. Otherwise the right knee (which is a little higher due to that leg being on the volume pedal) hits the bottom of the undercarriage. I get the feeling that a 1" lower might work better for somebody her height, and she's a bit shorter than you.

By the way, it's somewhat normal to engage a knee lever near the tip of the lever. But if you're not feeling it go for a 2" lower.

Howard Parker · From: Maryland

Another thing I'll just throw out and ask.

If it is just your LKL is it possible you may be sitting too far to the right? How does the A pedal position feel to you?

h

Herb Steiner · From: Spicewood TX 78669

Howard, we're the same height and my guitars sit at 1.5" lower than standard, 24.5" floor-to-endplate. Standard for Emmons is 26".

Fit is personal because of differing lengths of the individual player's torso and legs, even those of the same height.
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My rig: Infinity and Telonics.

Son, we live in a world with walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with steel guitars. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg?

Antolina · From: Dunkirk NY

I took 2 pieces of 3/4 plywood and made a platform to raise myslef to where everything fits better. Cheaper and faster than cutting down the legs.

rc
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The only thing better than doing what you love is having someone that loves you enough to let you do it.

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RC Antolina

John Booth · From: Columbus Ohio, USA

Jamie.
Try raising your seat first, that fixed it for me.
I had to raise my seat 2 & 1/2 in, and my feet feel even more fluid now.
JB
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Jb in Ohio
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GFI S10 Ultra, Telecaster, a Hound Dog, and an Annoyed Wife
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Jamie Mitchell · From: Nashville, TN

the issue with having the seat higher is it just makes it awkward to have a lap steel on my legs, cause they're so angled it wants to slide away. also, very possibly, this is a case of "suck it up, son".

thanks for the input!

j

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