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Topic: Your Ideal Pedal Steel |
Walter Hamlin
From:
Talladega, Alabama, USA
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Posted 25 Aug 2005 6:54 am |
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If you could change the way a PSG is made or if you could build one to suit your individual taste in appearance, tone, weight, pedal set up, type materials, etc,etc, what would you do.
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John Ummel
From:
Arlington, WA.
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Posted 25 Aug 2005 8:13 am
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GFI has already built it!  |
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Jim Bob Sedgwick
From:
Clinton, Missouri USA
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Posted 25 Aug 2005 9:00 am
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I would build one that would stay in tune outdoors.  |
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Jerry Hayes
From:
Virginia Beach, Va.
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Posted 25 Aug 2005 9:02 am
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| It wouldn't matter to me! I always seem to like someone else's steel better than mine....JH in Va. |
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David Doggett
From:
Bawl'mer, MD (formerly of MS, Nawluns, Gnashville, Knocksville, Lost Angeles, Bahsten. and Philly)
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Posted 25 Aug 2005 9:46 am
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Swappable pickups
A pickpup slanted toward the bridge at the bass side, and away from the bridge at the treble side, to unmuddy the bass and mellow the highs
A second pickup at the end of the fret board
two or more coil taps on the pickup to get the sound of different windings
A pull-rod/bellcrank attachment mechanism that is easily reached and doesn’t require moving the bellcrank (or adjacent bellcranks) or unscrewing the hex end tuner; in other words a really convenient quick-release mechanism
Bellcrank screws that are easy to reach and not up under the pullrods (duh)
A lacquer body with rounded edges, like the old Sho-Buds
On formica models, swappable front covers for user color and pattern changes
Double geared tuners at the key head, a low coarse gear for string changing and a precision, slackless, high gear for fine tuning
A little more space between the nut and the first and last string tuners
Either slots for the ball ends, or adequately long pegs that slant down so the ball ends don’t pop off when changing strings
Some kind of bracket on each end to hold the changer and keys off the surface when you turn upside down for repairs; the bracket should fold or retract into, behind, or under the endplates when not in use.
A conveniently movable locking mechanism that could be moved easily by the user to lock any pedal or knee lever
No cabinet drop
Gauged nut rollers on all makes and models
A mechanism for a feel stop on any pedal or knee lever, without using an additional string pull for the feel stop
A small wrist pad for the picking hand that doesn’t extend all along the back to interfere with the bar hand
Excess leverage and travel built into the pedal rod/cross-shaft attachment site (possibly a geared mechanism, or at least several possible attachment sites), so that there is more range of adjustment at the pull-rod/bellcrank attachment site (this is needed for multiple pulls that can be too stiff even in the bellcrank slot nearest the cross-shaft, if the pedal rod attachment leverage has been underengineered)
I'm just gettin' started. This is fun.
[This message was edited by David Doggett on 25 August 2005 at 10:52 AM.] |
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Walter Hamlin
From:
Talladega, Alabama, USA
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Posted 25 Aug 2005 10:41 am
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| I would make the changer so it would pull the strings in a straight line not like they are now, rolling over. I would make a volume pedal that was no more than an inch high off the floor. The legs would be attached to the body, fold and lock into place and then back under the body when in the case. All parts would be machined and not stamped and would fit precisely together without play or slack. I'm thinking of more things to add later. |
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Jim Cohen
From:
Philadelphia, PA
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Posted 25 Aug 2005 11:07 am
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D-10 under 25 lbs in the case; just throw it over your shoulder and go.
Folds up, legs, pedal rack, pedal rods, everything
Rock solid when played; doesn't move at all.
Zero cabinet drop, of course.
Tuning required as often as a piano. Not more.
Add or subtract pedal/knee changes without having to change several others first. |
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Billy Carr
From:
Seminary, Mississippi, USA (deceased)
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Posted 25 Aug 2005 11:15 am
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| The only thing I would like is a guitar that tunes itself. Maybe a changer with a built in computer or something where when the strings go a little sharp/flat it brings them back to the desired setting. I like CARTERS and don't have any tuning problems but this is what I would probably go for. Of course, there's no telling what it would cost. Probably make the prices on today's tuners look like peanuts! |
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Charles Davidson
From:
Phenix City Alabama, USA
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Posted 25 Aug 2005 11:23 am
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| One that would weigh fifteen pounds,but would sound like fifty pounds.Sure would be good on my old achey breaky back,also a ten pound amp that would match my N.V.400. |
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Paddy Long
From:
Christchurch, New Zealand
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Posted 25 Aug 2005 1:26 pm
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| And meanwhile -- back on Earth !!!..... |
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David Wren
From:
Placerville, California, USA
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Posted 25 Aug 2005 1:37 pm
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already got, thanks to Bud and John.
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Dave Wren
'95Carter S12-E9/B6,7X7; Session500; Hilton Pedal
www.ameechapman.com
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Charlie McDonald
From:
out of the blue
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Posted 25 Aug 2005 4:48 pm
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| Walter, have I got a Multi-Kord to sell you! |
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Rick Nicklas
From:
Verona, Mo. (deceased)
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Posted 25 Aug 2005 7:35 pm
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Ever since they came out with samplers, I have wished some electrical/computer persons would come out with a programable box that would allow us to set our individual strings and pedals (in increments of your liking to speed) to pitch and tone that you want, then you would just punch the button to save the settings. (Walla... No more need to tune). Also would like to have some options on tone contributed by Emmons and Green (or some of the other favorites)for certain songs while leaving your tunings alone.
Now that I think about it, this would not work with the steel because of the slides and vibrato we use (unless the tones were set to play very tight between notes) Maybe this could be a successful project in China because they play between the notes on a lot of their country tunes.[This message was edited by Rick Nicklas on 25 August 2005 at 08:46 PM.] |
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James Morehead
From:
Prague, Oklahoma, USA - R.I.P.
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Posted 25 Aug 2005 9:13 pm
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| I already got one. It's a '70 Shobud D-10 Professional, and it's sitting on John Coop's work bench as we speak. When he installs Jerry Wallace's TT pups with the coil taps, the tone picture will be complete, and then all I have to do is pray UPS doesn't trash it. Need I say more? |
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Ian Finlay
From:
Kenton, UK
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Posted 26 Aug 2005 12:10 pm
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My Fender 1000, with more talent!
Actually, the 1000, better tuners, polished frame, slightly lower pedal bar. Maybe a knee level or two. The mechanism from a 2000 in it for double raise/lowers.
Ian |
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Sonny Priddy
From:
Elizabethtown, Kentucky, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 26 Aug 2005 1:10 pm
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One That Will Play It's Self. ha.ha. No I'm With John GFI. Has Done It. SONNY.
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Walter Hamlin
From:
Talladega, Alabama, USA
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Posted 27 Aug 2005 9:16 am
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I have a GFI and I really like it. I'm loading it today to play tonight. I have a hip that gives me fits when I play and I really would like a volume pedal that was as thin as could be made to keep my leg from being higher than my hip.
I think Sierra made a guitar that had folding legs (I said I think they did) so that part has been invented and used.
I think the straight pull of the strings would decrease some of the breaking of them. I was thinking of the MSA Classic when I mentioned all machined parts.
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Mike Perlowin
From:
Los Angeles CA
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Posted 28 Aug 2005 9:15 am
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| I want a mental telepathy lever that will lower the 5th string. |
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John Poston
From:
Albuquerque, NM, USA
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Posted 29 Aug 2005 7:29 am
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| The perfect guitar for me would be a Fender 400 with 6 and 3 with a double raise to give the ability to raise A to B on pedal 7 and A to Bb on a knee lever. |
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Farris Currie
From:
Ona, Florida, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 29 Aug 2005 7:47 am
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| well how about C&C Controled,they have machinery which will even adjust for tool wear,how about tuning???? farris |
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Farris Currie
From:
Ona, Florida, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 29 Aug 2005 7:48 am
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| Also what about ROBOT ARMS?????? |
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Al Marcus
From:
Cedar Springs,MI USA (deceased)
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Charles Turpin
From:
Mexico, Missouri, USA
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Posted 8 Sep 2005 12:54 pm
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I would like everything my Zumsteels have but push buttons where if i got tired of it set up the way it was i can just push the button and change the set up.. That would be an outter space thing..A robot that carrys the steel to the job and sets it up itself hehehe. Just joking.
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ed packard
From:
Show Low AZ
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Posted 8 Sep 2005 5:38 pm
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Walter asked "what would you do?"... I did:
Longer neck (30")= more frets.
Straight pull strings (near as you can get).
Integrated changer and gearless tuner with knurled knobs.
Changer/tuner on the players left = no picks on tuning hand.
No pretensioning needed to change strings.
Interchangeable tapped pickups...two of them.
Dual output jacks.
Active electronics = HiZin, LoZout (no tone sucking).
Interchangeable fret boards with room for circuitry beneath them.
About 2 cents of cabinet drop (or whatever it is).
Opted against the foldable legs approach...been there, done that.
Legs are collet locked, not screwed in.
Interchangeable rod bridge on players right.
Square SS crossrods...easilly programmable bell cranks.
No slop springs added to the tuning rods at the bell cranks.
Aluminum extrusion body...no neckblock...rails instead.
Formica covered body.
String separation = 11/32", both ends.
4&3 changer.
10P, 7L, LK.
Multi tuning = C69, F6, G69, and variations thereof including the whole 13 series 7 tone two octave structure.
USB to computer, and BLUETOOTH wireless from there to the amp(s), board, or ??
Virtual rack = software preamp and effects that remembers settings and selectable at a click. Software tuner(s)also.
Much more...have had this beauty since last Jan...now to sell off all my other PSGs and stuff.
Unique machining by Don Christensen.
Assembled by Tom Baker at Sierra.
Pictures (before the knurled tuning knobs) in a forum post by Per Berner, about last Feb. Also on the Sierra web site.
You to can have all, or parts thereof in your next axe...call Tom Baker at Sierra.
Edpackard@citlink.net[This message was edited by ed packard on 08 September 2005 at 06:46 PM.] |
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Bobby Boggs
From:
Upstate SC.
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Posted 8 Sep 2005 6:34 pm
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Lets see. I would want an Emmons or Franklin cabinet.I like the size.The tone and sustain of a 66 bolt on PP for E9. For C6th. I'd want the tone of a 70's cut-tail PP.
I'd want a Franklin changer. Because of the short throw, with added triple lower.The under-carriage would be late model Zum or MSA. The pedal spacing would be the same as an Emmons Legrande.
It would be a loaded 9&9 with lower return compensators and weight 40 lbs in the case.
EDIT: Ofcourse it would have no cabinet drop or raise.[This message was edited by Bobby Boggs on 08 September 2005 at 07:50 PM.] |
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