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Topic: Lift kit for fixed-leg Fender 400 method |
Jim Sliff
From:
Lawndale California, USA
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Posted 8 Apr 2007 5:56 pm |
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Like some other tall guys, I've always had a problem trying to use a volume pedal with my '63 400 - especially with the added RKR, it was impossible to depress a volume pedal - my knee would simply lift the guitar.
I puzzled over this one for a long time, even thinking about new legs...then I had an idea, did some measuring, and trotted off to Home Depot.
It turns out that 7/8 dowel fits inside the legs perfectly - doesn't have to be jammed in, but can be removed if you want. I simply inserted a dowel in each leg, cut it off 1" beyond the leg end, and capped each one with a 7/8 rubber foot - which happens to be the perfect size to cover the dowel. The whole thing is perfectly stable because the dowel fits so snugly.
The standard pedal rods are threaded long enough to unscrew them a full inch, so the dowels and feet were the only parts needed. The whole process (other than the shopping trip) took about 10 minutes.
Any tall guys with fixed-leg Fenders should give this a try.
_________________
No chops, but great tone
1930's/40's Rickenbacher/Rickenbacker 6&8 string lap steels
1921 Weissenborn Style 2; Hilo&Schireson hollownecks
Appalachian, Regal & Dobro squarenecks
1959 Fender 400 9+2 B6;1960's Fender 800 3+3+2; 1948 Fender Dual-8 Professional |
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Russ Tkac
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Posted 8 Apr 2007 7:10 pm
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Very cool Jim. Now can you figure how to make a 6'-0" guy 6'- 4" I always wanted to be taller. 
By the way, I don't like platform shoes... |
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Jim Sliff
From:
Lawndale California, USA
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Posted 9 Apr 2007 5:18 am
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Hey Russ - I can always just pounds some shims into your spine...
Seriously, though , it's funny how steel guitars are NOT normally made for even marginally taller guys (6'4" isn't unusually tall). MY GFI Ultra is 1 1/2" taller than normal - I had special legs and rods made for it - and it's just the right height. The 400 with 1" added is also just perfect, so the height seems to depend on the steel's configuration.
It IS a simple, clean-looking trick to raising the 400 though. You can't see anything out of the ordinary, unless you *know* the pedal rack is a bit high (looking at it right now, there's really no reason I couldn't move it down a bit and keep the pedals at the normal angle - might try that tonight). The feet fit so perfectly you just assume they are connected to the metal legs. The pedals lowered to a playable level work fine even though the angle is slightly changed.
I have a 9-pedal copedent, but #9 is never really used (it's from Sneaky's copedent, and he never played the 9th pedal, just using it as a placeholder) - so I may remove #9 to give me a little better position for the volume pedal in relation to the RKR lever. But the whole thing works great, and you can't beat the price!
_________________
No chops, but great tone
1930's/40's Rickenbacher/Rickenbacker 6&8 string lap steels
1921 Weissenborn Style 2; Hilo&Schireson hollownecks
Appalachian, Regal & Dobro squarenecks
1959 Fender 400 9+2 B6;1960's Fender 800 3+3+2; 1948 Fender Dual-8 Professional |
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Stephen Gambrell
From:
Over there
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Posted 9 Apr 2007 7:29 am
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| That's gotta be the RED-NECKEST thing I ever saw! |
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Bill Ford
From:
Graniteville SC Aiken
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Posted 9 Apr 2007 4:14 pm
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Stephen,
You behave youseff now..That ain't no more redneck than the extenders on that green S12 MSA made from pvc pipe.Hey, if it works..it works.
Yer fren BUBBER
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Bill Ford S12 CLR, S12 Lamar keyless, Misc amps&toys Sharp Covers
Steeling for Jesus now!!! |
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Jim Sliff
From:
Lawndale California, USA
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Posted 10 Apr 2007 6:46 am
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Redneck?
Not possible.
No sheet metal showing, and I was fresh out of trailer parts.
_________________
No chops, but great tone
1930's/40's Rickenbacher/Rickenbacker 6&8 string lap steels
1921 Weissenborn Style 2; Hilo&Schireson hollownecks
Appalachian, Regal & Dobro squarenecks
1959 Fender 400 9+2 B6;1960's Fender 800 3+3+2; 1948 Fender Dual-8 Professional |
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Jim Bob Sedgwick
From:
Clinton, Missouri USA
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Posted 10 Apr 2007 7:14 am
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Russ.... You're invited to dinner at my house. My wife can't make you taller, but she sure can make you FATTER !!!  |
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