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Post new topic Make Pedal action Stiffer ?
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Author Topic:  Make Pedal action Stiffer ?
John Gould


From:
Houston, TX Now in Cleveland TX
Post  Posted 30 Jun 2015 9:29 am    
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How can I make the pedal action Stiffer on my Emmons LaGrande II .
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A couple of guitars
Fender GTX 100 Fender Mustang III Fender Blues Jr. Boss Katana MKII 50
Justice Pro Lite and Sho Bud Pro II
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Henry Matthews


From:
Texarkana, Ark USA
Post  Posted 30 Jun 2015 10:48 am    
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Move your rods higher up on bell cranks. That is with guitar upside, move them up toward the top of bell crank. It will make your pedal action stiffer and also shorter.
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Henry Matthews

D-10 Magnum, 8 &5, dark rose color
D-10 1974 Emmons cut tail, fat back,rosewood, 8&5
Nashville 112 amp, Fishman Loudbox Performer amp, Hilton pedal, Goodrich pedal,BJS bar, Kyser picks, Live steel Strings. No effects, doodads or stomp boxes.
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Erv Niehaus


From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
Post  Posted 30 Jun 2015 11:02 am    
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Just don't lube it for a while, and it will get stiffer. Whoa!
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Donny Hinson

 

From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
Post  Posted 30 Jun 2015 2:09 pm    
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Getting used to the action as it is will be a lot easier than trying to get the guitar fixed when you find out it doesn't tune as well after you've changed the action. Oh Well
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Lane Gray


From:
Topeka, KS
Post  Posted 30 Jun 2015 2:30 pm    
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What Donny said.
"this car drives too good."
"this saw cuts too fast"
"this glue is too sticky."
Really. Easy pedals are a good thing.
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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
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John Gould


From:
Houston, TX Now in Cleveland TX
Post  Posted 30 Jun 2015 2:44 pm    
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Maybe I'm asking the question the wrong way. The pedals seem sluggish to me. Compared to my other steel and steels that I've played that belong to other people. Also I can't even have my foot touching the A pedal or the guitar is out of tune. I guess I need to setup a appointment with Jim at the steel shop and make the trip and have him take a look. I'm at the point where I want to either get it fixed or sell it.
My Sho-Bud needs a rebuild as well but it's still playable.
_________________
A couple of guitars
Fender GTX 100 Fender Mustang III Fender Blues Jr. Boss Katana MKII 50
Justice Pro Lite and Sho Bud Pro II
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Lane Gray


From:
Topeka, KS
Post  Posted 30 Jun 2015 2:46 pm    
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Try a small spring or rubber band to pull the pedal back up off the slack.
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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
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Mike Wheeler


From:
Delaware, Ohio, USA
Post  Posted 30 Jun 2015 3:56 pm    
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John, you've answered your own question....take it to Jim Palenscar and let him advise you on the best course of action to fix your issue.
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Best regards,
Mike
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Henry Matthews


From:
Texarkana, Ark USA
Post  Posted 30 Jun 2015 4:05 pm    
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My solution was for easy pedals. Had same thing happen with a guitar I have now. The pedals were so easy you could hardley feel them. This wasn't good so I just changed the leverage and now they are still easy but just feel great. The guitar is a Fessy D-10.
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Henry Matthews

D-10 Magnum, 8 &5, dark rose color
D-10 1974 Emmons cut tail, fat back,rosewood, 8&5
Nashville 112 amp, Fishman Loudbox Performer amp, Hilton pedal, Goodrich pedal,BJS bar, Kyser picks, Live steel Strings. No effects, doodads or stomp boxes.
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Tony Glassman


From:
The Great Northwest
Post  Posted 30 Jun 2015 4:32 pm    
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I understand the problem. I've had to adjust the pedal action on my LeGrande as well as my Zums because it was too light for my liking. I found myself pressing the pedals unintentionally which caused tuning issues

There are two ways to stiffen & shorten the Legrande pedal action. Both involve the pedal rods.

1) At the bell crank: moving the rod further from the cross shaft or
2) At the changer: moving the rod closer to the changer axle

Either may result in the need to have to adjust pedal throws. I'd suggest you take pictures and make a chart of your rod positions before doing it, so you can change back if you're not satisfied.

Other options, such as removing helper springs or changing the pedal/pedal pivot points are not applicable to Legrandes.
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Rich Upright


From:
Florida, USA
Post  Posted 30 Jun 2015 5:57 pm    
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My LeGrande II has action that is easy, but long throw. I'm too lazy to change it, so I adapt to it when I am not playing my Mullen,which has easy, short action & I can play twice as fast.
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A couple D-10s,some vintage guitars & amps, & lotsa junk in the gig bag.
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Donny Hinson

 

From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
Post  Posted 1 Jul 2015 7:23 am    
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John Gould wrote:
...Also I can't even have my foot touching the A pedal or the guitar is out of tune...


Do you have some slack in the pedals? I find it's best if the pedals move 1/4" (or a little more) before anything engages. That way, those "subtle touches" don't do anything, sorta like the free-play in an automotive clutch or brake pedal before it engages. Winking
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Mike Wheeler


From:
Delaware, Ohio, USA
Post  Posted 1 Jul 2015 8:22 am    
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Donny, that's why I suggested he take it to Jim. Maybe I'm wrong, but I got the impression that John isn't well versed in steel adjustments. And, as you pointed out, there are important subtleties that can easily be overlooked.
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Best regards,
Mike
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Henry Matthews


From:
Texarkana, Ark USA
Post  Posted 1 Jul 2015 8:24 am    
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Donnie, that's what I try to do but if pedals don't have return springs, the pedal is still going to rest the nylon tuning nut against the changer. I just learned to with my foot not touching until I needed it. The Legrands do have pedal springs so would be easy to do.
_________________
Henry Matthews

D-10 Magnum, 8 &5, dark rose color
D-10 1974 Emmons cut tail, fat back,rosewood, 8&5
Nashville 112 amp, Fishman Loudbox Performer amp, Hilton pedal, Goodrich pedal,BJS bar, Kyser picks, Live steel Strings. No effects, doodads or stomp boxes.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

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