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Post new topic Pedal vs. Knee-lever?
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Author Topic:  Pedal vs. Knee-lever?
Roger Rettig


From:
Naples, FL
Post  Posted 8 Oct 2022 3:13 am    
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I would think the answer is 'yes' but could someone confirm it?

If I assign a change from a KL to a pedal, do I still use the same bell-crank holes and changer positions?

I'm considering moving my Bs-to-Bb to P4 (next to my A pedal: Day setup). I would then move my current P4 (lowering 6/9 a half-step) to P5.

I can't see a problem with pedals 4 and 5 both doing double-duty on two necks.
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Dale Rottacker


From:
Walla Walla Washington, USA
Post  Posted 8 Oct 2022 5:33 am    
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Smile Very Happy Smile
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Donny Hinson

 

From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
Post  Posted 8 Oct 2022 6:13 am    
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Roger Rettig wrote:
If I assign a change from a KL to a pedal, do I still use the same bell-crank holes and changer positions?


Well Roger, you can, and it will work.

(Most can stop reading right here.)

But there are occasions that you might want to change things to get a different "feel", and there are several reasons for this. First, knee levers are "slower" than pedals (you cannot activate a lever as quickly as you can a pedal). Second, there is usually no consideration required for activating two levers with the same knee simultaneously, but it's very common to activate two pedals with one foot. And lastly, the effort/movement ratio (how much force it takes to activate a pedal, and how far it moves) on a pedal never changes. But the effort/movement ratio on a lever can change because your knee can hit the lever at different points along its length, which changes the leverage - the distance your knee must move.
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Roger Rettig


From:
Naples, FL
Post  Posted 8 Oct 2022 6:42 am    
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Thanks, Donny - that makes sense.

This is a work in progress. I have a new 12 string guitar coming that'll be tuned to D13. On the new steel, that lower (the 5th scale tone: B to Bb on E9, A to Ab on D13) will be on pedal 4. Adjacent to my A pedal, it will function just like the standard P5 on C6.

So - I need to get used to it after countless years of having it on RKL.

One question for you:
Can you explain the function on that 'stop bar'? It's static at the right end and loaded with bell-cranks. The cross-shaft doesn't move, however. It must be there for a reason.

Thanks for your thoughts.
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Johnny Cox


From:
Williamsom WVA, raised in Nashville TN, Lives in Hallettsville Texas
Post  Posted 8 Oct 2022 2:17 pm    
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Roger Rettig wrote:
Thanks, Donny - that makes sense.

This is a work in progress. I have a new 12 string guitar coming that'll be tuned to D13. On the new steel, that lower (the 5th scale tone: B to Bb on E9, A to Ab on D13) will be on pedal 4. Adjacent to my A pedal, it will function just like the standard P5 on C6.

So - I need to get used to it after countless years of having it on RKL.

One question for you:
Can you explain the function on that 'stop bar'? It's static at the right end and loaded with bell-cranks. The cross-shaft doesn't move, however. It must be there for a reason.

Thanks for your thoughts.


Roger, I actually moved that pedal to RKL. I like it there.

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Roger Rettig


From:
Naples, FL
Post  Posted 8 Oct 2022 3:13 pm    
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Johnny:
Here's where I am now with my D13.

Since this so-called final draft, I added a couple of pulls. I think I'm happy with what I have below but, as a safeguard in case I don't get on with it, I wanted to make sure I'd have enough rods for a loaded Ext E9.


See pedal 2, for example? In my chart, I just have two pulls. If it had to become E9 ext, I'd want to raise the bottom G#, so three are needed. I've therefore added a fictitious change that I can wind off in the hope I never need it. You can't see them here - it's on an attachment I sent to Bill Williams.

This is close to my dream setup. It replicates my E9 pulls as well as all my C6 changes. I see you've dropped your 'old' P7. I don't want to lose that one.

As for your RKL, I'm having my P4 replicate the old P5, and that should serve the same purpose - dropping the 5th scale-tone (A - Ab).

Time will tell. I have no idea how long I'll have to wait for the Williams but it's sounding hopeful.
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