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Topic: Emmons volume pedal: what am I doing wrong? |
Duane Reese
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Posted 1 Apr 2021 9:02 pm |
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Okay, I have had this old Emmons volume pedal for a few years, and I am trying to mount it so I can try it out. But when you look at the picture, it's easy to see what happens: if you have those two little pedestals where they are, and that through hole feature fastened to the inside of the pedal bar, your volume pedal is going to hit the floor too soon. You can't really put those pedestals anywhere else on the bar, and if you were to fasten the volume pedal frame above the pedal bar, your screws for the little front feet wouldn't be long enough.
Any ideas? Does it look like I have the right parts, or does something seem off? I can't figure out how this is suppose to work..  |
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Jon Light (deceased)
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 2 Apr 2021 3:44 am
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My first observation and first question is why are the tabs nearly sitting on the floor?
I've got a Derby pedal that is Emmons-style -- the pin setup is not compatible with this guitar but on a quick check it looks like the floor clearance will work fine. The relationship between the legs/feet and the bottom protrusion appear to be the same as yours.
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Roy McKinney
From:
Ontario, OR
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Posted 2 Apr 2021 3:59 am
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| Looks like it is setting on "plush" carpet. |
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John Swain
From:
Winchester, Va
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Posted 2 Apr 2021 6:04 am
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| I use larger crutch tips (available from Amazon) that hold the pedal bar higher off the floor. On a Carter with its thicker pedal bar I had small house clamps to keep the pedal bar up ! |
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Bengt Erlandsen
From:
Brekstad, NORWAY
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Posted 2 Apr 2021 6:09 am
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Those two rubber feet on the vol-pedal seems to be the able to adjust up/down, so when those rubberfeet rest on the two metal tabs. they should lift the pedal the appropriate amount needed so it wont bottom out on the floor when pressed fully down. Thats what I can get from the picture shown.
The center screw is only for keeping vol-pedal positioned so the rubber-feet will align on the two metal tabs.
B.Erlandsen |
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Jack Hanson
From:
San Luis Valley, USA
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Posted 2 Apr 2021 6:12 am
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Whenever I need to set up on thick carpeting, I cram a couple of furniture leg cups under the front legs, and one under the carriage bolt under the pedal. Voila -- problem solved.
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Jon Light (deceased)
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 2 Apr 2021 6:29 am
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I'm just confirming that:
A) this Derby pedal is not compatible with this Emmons rig
B) if the tabs were a bit longer, the pedal would work as intended. Very minimal floor clearance even with the pin as high as it can be lifted inside the track but yes, there is clearance.
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 2 Apr 2021 6:55 am
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I notice something also, instead of the pin to fit in the hole, there's a bolt and nut.
That could be causing a problem.
Erv |
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Jon Light (deceased)
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 2 Apr 2021 7:03 am
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Two questions:
Are we being played, April Fools-style?
But if not, are we looking at a drop-pin pedal that someone 'converted' into a set pin pedal? |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 2 Apr 2021 7:12 am
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Jon,
I think you just hit the nail on the head! 
Erv |
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Duane Reese
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Posted 2 Apr 2021 7:22 am
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Okay, I'll try this on a hard floor and see what that does. It is on plush carpet, but also near the edge of a wall, so I may have a drop-off working against me as well. I'll report back soon...
| Erv Niehaus wrote: |
I notice something also, instead of the pin to fit in the hole, there's a bolt and nut.
That could be causing a problem.
Erv |
Yeah, I don't know what the story is there. I got this pedal when I bought an old p/p years ago. I imagine the pin must have fallen out or something and that is just a replacement. As long as the pedal frame and the pedal bar come to where they're supposed to go, that shouldn't be causing an issue. However: now that I know that you're supposed to have a pin there instead of fasteners, maybe I'll make a pin for it and do an interference fit. |
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Jerry Overstreet
From:
Louisville Ky
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Posted 2 Apr 2021 7:42 am
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Just an observation concerning the bolt/nut pin. I would put the nut on the underside and double nut it to lock the bolt length. That will raise the height by the width of the nut that's on the top side of the pedal...approx. 1/8, 3/32 in.
....that is until you fab another pin...just to see how much it helps.
Yeah, judging by your photo, the carpet does seem to be sitting right at the bracket. |
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Duane Reese
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Posted 2 Apr 2021 8:07 am
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Okay, I figured out what I need to do...
This is a picture of it now, toe-foward.
I'm probably not the only one, but I've always had my pedal bar all the way down on the rubber feet—it has never been a problem before, and it made sense because it seems like the leg flappers probably don't have enough friction to keep the pedal bar from creeping down as it's being mashed on—and maybe that too is correct.. 🤔 But, what can I say? I'll give it a try. I guess a guy could put spacer rings between the feet and the pedal bar if they don't hold. But...maybe there is enough friction. |
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Duane Reese
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Posted 2 Apr 2021 9:49 am
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Alrighty then! 😃 Everything seems to work well, 3-cording it. The pedal has a Mexican Claristat but it sounds like it's in good shape. My Hilton pedal is still my preferred but I wanted to see how this Emmons pedal was, and I do like the fact that you can swivel it to any angle you want.
There was a post I made a few years ago where I took this Chinese fingertrap-style stuff called Techflex and ran my three cables through that, but that was back in the combo amp days; now I have a component rig with a 4-space rack off to the side, so that's not really needed anymore—I decommissioned it and used the cables for other stuff.
Thanks for the help, guys. |
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Jon Light (deceased)
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 2 Apr 2021 10:00 am
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Glad that came together.
And it was a good opportunity to revisit this old pedal of mine and examine some things. I have an extra little bracket inside my pedal rack that I've concluded is specifically installed to receive a drop-pin and does not work with this Derby fixed pin pedal. If I ever want to use this pedal with this Emmons, I would need to replace the tabs on the rack with longer ones and remove the little bracket. Good to know. |
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Andrew Goulet
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Posted 3 Apr 2021 8:02 am
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This is off-topic, but do many people have a preference for the volume pedal to be attached to the pedal bar? I've always just had it on the floor.
_________________
Marlen S12 pedal steel
12 string Bill Hatcher lap steel
ZT Club and Lunchbox |
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Bill Moore
From:
Manchester, Michigan
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Posted 3 Apr 2021 8:13 am
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I read somewhere, pmaybe on Buddy's web page, that he designed the attached volume pedal to make it easier to move his gear quickly when doing TV or opry type shows. All he needed to do was unplug the amp, then grab and move everything in one trip.
I've had a couple of attached pedals and never cared to use them. I like being able able to adjust the location of the pedal a bit if I feel the need. And, I always preferred the action and travel of the Goodrich or Hilton pedals. |
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Pete Burak
From:
Portland, OR USA
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Posted 3 Apr 2021 8:17 am
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| Andrew Goulet wrote: |
| This is off-topic, but do many people have a preference for the volume pedal to be attached to the pedal bar? I've always just had it on the floor. |
I like the pedal/rack attachment, like the Goodrich one. But I always use a good soft material to cover the pedal-rack with or it will scratch it up.
When you need to move your steel at a gig it is nice to have the volume pedal be part of the unit that goes along for the ride when you grab the sides of the Steel and walk away.
With that said, I have never been a fan of the Emmons style on my Emmons S12U, because when you put the volume pedal down to 100%, that bottom piece that the string is attached to often hits the floor at less than 100%. Then you have to do a balancing act with the knobs on the front/top and that screw underneath the heel. I presume it works perfectly for some other players! I've basically gone to Telonics and Goodrich Omni. |
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Jon Light (deceased)
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 3 Apr 2021 8:23 am
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| I'm less interested in moving the steel with the pedal attached and a lot more interested in the pedal moving underfoot. On the hardwood floors of my studio, even a pedal with fresh feet slides around. So I use a Goodrich style bracket. |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 3 Apr 2021 8:31 am
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I like to position my pedal at quite an angle so I have had to modify different design brackets to allow more angle to the dangle.
Erv |
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Pete Burak
From:
Portland, OR USA
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Posted 3 Apr 2021 8:53 am
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For hardwood floors, another thing that works to eliminate sliding is piece of craft-foam under the pedal.
I get it from Micheals craft store and cut to size.
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Duane Reese
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Posted 3 Apr 2021 9:24 am
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| Bill Moore wrote: |
| I read somewhere, pmaybe on Buddy's web page, that he designed the attached volume pedal to make it easier to move his gear quickly when doing TV or opry type shows. All he needed to do was unplug the amp, then grab and move everything in one trip. |
Wow. I guess he didn't break it down and put it in the case then...must have placed it standing up in the back of the van. You'd certainly have to be in a hurry, and I'm sure he was. 🚚💨 |
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Pete Burak
From:
Portland, OR USA
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Posted 3 Apr 2021 9:39 am
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When I played on multi-band shows with lots of gear on stage and backlined amps, etc, I would unplug the amp-cord from the volume pedal and bolt on/off the stage.
I put the pedal and cords back in my pak-a-seat before driving home, but most of my gigs are within 15min so I prop the Steel up to the back of the passengers seat in my mini van for transport. I have a Horse-blanket for over the Steel. |
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Lee Baucum
From:
McAllen, Texas (Extreme South) The Final Frontier
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Posted 3 Apr 2021 1:34 pm
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| Jon Light wrote: |
| I'm less interested in moving the steel with the pedal attached and a lot more interested in the pedal moving underfoot. On the hardwood floors of my studio, even a pedal with fresh feet slides around. So I use a Goodrich style bracket. |
I keep a rectangular piece of this grippy shelf liner in my pac-a-seat for slick floors.
Click Here
I've seen some grocery stores selling round pieces of the same material, for opening jars. |
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Jon Light (deceased)
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 3 Apr 2021 1:54 pm
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| Yeah -- both this, Lee, and Pete's stuff, above, are good ideas. (As is a mounting bracket). |
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