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Topic: Differences in pedal & lever feel and travel . . . |
William Johnson
From:
Statesboro, Georgia, USA
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Posted 15 Jun 2011 6:24 am |
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Hello,
I am not asking about which instrument is better, etc. but what the 'real-world' differences are in terms of pedal feel. The reason I ask, is because I have shorter, stocky legs and stiff ankles, legs and hip-swing due to a car accident years back. This has always hampered by PSG playing somewhat. I have owned E9 Sho Bud Maverick, LeGrande II, Sierra, ZUMM, Marley, Derby and a BMI. Of these steels, I seem to have liked the ZUMM the best, but I am not a great player but have played some on small stages.
I am interested in the newer GFI Ultra and the Mullen G2 (or others) in a SD10 E9 frame. I live in South Georgia and its not real convenient to go and play new PSGs, so I am asking for opinions here. I understand its just opinions. We all understand you most play it yourself to really determine differences, etc. so I guess I am interested in opinions about versatility in setup and bottom-line pedal/lever playability.
Due to my limited leg and ankle flexibility, the ease-of-reach, stiffness, and travel-required is the key pedal/lever characteristic I am concerned about, as everyone is to some extent, but it's more critical for me. Example, I usually wear 'flip-flop' sandals or shoes that slip on easy, but this in itself is an issue because they (flip-flops) don't have a narrow 'nose' like cowboy boots or even sneakers do. Even simple moves like rolling into the A from the B pedal and releasing the B while in AB, sometimes requires too much effort depending on tempo, etc.
Besides the above, I am interested in getting back into a better PSG instrument, so I am interested in the GFI ULtra and the Mullen G2 or . . . I really liked my old ZUMM but they are harder to find and besides I am eager to see what's new these days. I am now playing a real old BMI S10 E9 and I really like the tone but the pedals are NOT friendly to my legs & ankles!
Anyways, what do y'all think?
BTW: The early country-rock scene in the late 60s and early 70s convinced me to buy my first PSG, ~'72 red Sho Bud Maverick with NO nut-rollers and only 3 floor pedals. (I know its seems impossible, but I think I remember it did not have nut-rollers! Am I correct?) I was playing in a successful rock band (re-cooked Rolling Stones) in the Southeast and was being drawn into those early country-sounding tunes some few rockers were beginning to play.
Later,
Billy
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William Johnson (Billy)
Statesboro, GA
Sho Bud Student / Emmons DB E9
Sierra DB E9 / ZUM DB E9 / Derby DB E9 Marlen E9 / BMI E9
Mosrite Ventures '69 / Gibson Cherry ES345 / Custom 'Billie-Tele' Telecaster / Gibson '78 J45 / Custom 'P-Strat' Squire Stratocaster / Epi Parlor
Fender '69 Deluxe Reverb / Peavey NV400 + Peavey TubeFex + Goodrich 7A MatchBox & Pedal |
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richard burton
From:
Britain
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Posted 15 Jun 2011 7:26 am
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As you only have limited foot and leg movement, this would indicate that you need to shorten the throw of the pedals/levers, and also bring the left leg knee levers in closer together, to minimise leg movement.
Unfortunately, in physics everything has to balance out, so the payback is a heavier action of the pedals/levers, which is also out of the question due to your accident.
However, most modern steels (and maybe even your BMI) can have helper springs fitted, which greatly reduce the pedal/lever pressure required.
I fitted some helper springs to my Carter in such a way that no holes were drilled in the instrument at all, so that the mod was completely reversible with no damage to the steel.
It greatly improved the 'feel' of the steel, with all the pedals/levers featherlight yet with little travel.
I don't know much about GFI and Mullen steels, but on the Carter there were spare holes in the changer fingers to hook some helper springs to, and the bell-crank design was a gift for my mod to the lower-return springs.
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William Johnson
From:
Statesboro, Georgia, USA
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Posted 15 Jun 2011 7:56 am
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Thanks for replay.
If I understand your drawings, my BMI has changer return springs already as appears in your drawings. There's one spring per changer finger. These return springs pull the string back to their normal resting spot. Maybe they (springs) are too strong. I can adjust my 3 floor pedals by moving the position (3 to choose from) of the pedal rod attachment changing the distance from the floor pedal pivot point, (i.e.,further from pivot point equals less travel but force to move pedal). Right?
I like keeping my floor pedals close to the floor as I do not have to pickup my foot as high to move about the pedals. If I understand it correctly, this also stiffens the pedal feel due to shorter pedal movement.
Thanks,
Billy
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William Johnson (Billy)
Statesboro, GA
Sho Bud Student / Emmons DB E9
Sierra DB E9 / ZUM DB E9 / Derby DB E9 Marlen E9 / BMI E9
Mosrite Ventures '69 / Gibson Cherry ES345 / Custom 'Billie-Tele' Telecaster / Gibson '78 J45 / Custom 'P-Strat' Squire Stratocaster / Epi Parlor
Fender '69 Deluxe Reverb / Peavey NV400 + Peavey TubeFex + Goodrich 7A MatchBox & Pedal |
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Herby Wallace
From:
Sevierville, TN, R.I.P.
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Posted 15 Jun 2011 8:31 am Mullen G2
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Billy, For what it's worth, I had a stroke 5 years ago and both of my legs and ankles are stiff since the stroke, so I don't have the flexibility that I once had when rocking the pedals, but I will say that the new G2 Mullen is by far the best steel I have ever played for pedal action, not to mention the tone and other qualities. Having ball bearings in the crossrods really make a difference, plus the action is shorter than most I have played. I am not saying this just because I sell Mullen, but it is a fact and has helped me with my situation.
Herby Wallace |
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Joey Ace
From:
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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Posted 15 Jun 2011 8:42 am Setup Is The Key
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| Quote: |
| I am interested in the GFI Ultra and the Mullen G2 |
Not really a fair comparison, the Mullen is a superior instrument, at a much higher price.
You need to find someone who will do a setup to accommodate you.
Disclaimer: I own and play a keyless GFI Ultra, a Carter, and a vintage Emmons. They are all great guitars. I've never owned a Mullen, but have played a few. I'd be proud to own one, but three's my limit. |
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Brint Hannay
From:
Maryland, USA
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Posted 15 Jun 2011 9:06 am
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I own a GFI Ultra keyless SD-10, and I find the pedal and lever action both light and short, as compared to my other steels (Sho-Bud, '94 Mullen, Williams 400).
Of course, these things depend somewhat on setup, but I have similar setups on the others, and have worked on tweaking their action. |
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Mike Mantey
From:
Eastern Colorado, USA
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Posted 15 Jun 2011 2:29 pm Try a G2
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We have always had many compliments on the Mullen guitars in every aspect.
I have been working on creating a G2 network and in your area I can help you out. As Roger said he is in Locust Grove, I have Tommy Dodd in Atlanta, and a new comer Chris Clark in La Fayette. According to mapquest La Fayette is only 55 miles away from you and Chris is ready to show you his G2. Well he has to get it first. It is leaving today and will be at his house tomorrow. You may email at sales@mullenguitars.com to get his contact info.
Try before you buy!! We try and make that possible for you, with help from many people.
Here is a pic of the one going to Chris today.
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Brint Hannay
From:
Maryland, USA
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Posted 15 Jun 2011 4:35 pm
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| I want to clarify that I didn't mean to imply that any of my other steels were at all deficient action-wise. The Mullen in particular, to use an overused cliche, plays like butter. I just think the GFI has, by a slim margin, the maximum combination of both short throw and lightness of action. |
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John Turbeville
From:
Carlsbad, ca
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Posted 15 Jun 2011 5:23 pm
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| i would send it to jim p. in oceanside and have him set it up, he may be able to take your favorite [img][/img] |
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Robert Brewer
From:
Nebraska, USA
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Posted 15 Jun 2011 7:23 pm
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I have had mullen shobud sierra MSA and Emmons P-P and i have numb legs and feet so am not quick with pedal action.
I have found the P-P to be far easer to use because it is bigger pedal and apart more. the move is easer to feel.
Bob |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 16 Jun 2011 8:31 am
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I have owned and played a lot of different instruments but the one that amazes me the most is the Franklin.
The changes that are possible with the ease and minimum of movement are uncomparable. |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 16 Jun 2011 9:14 am
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We have (my wife has) a GFI Expo S-10, stock pedal setup, nothing changed. Both the foot pedals and knee levers have a long way to go to equal my Franklin.
The stock Emmons pedals and four knee levers are identical to my Franklin (I have one extra change on my RKR and also have a LKV). It allows for comparing equal setups. |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 16 Jun 2011 9:37 am
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| Amen, Jack! |
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chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
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Posted 16 Jun 2011 12:14 pm
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| i have to get by with a zummm. |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 16 Jun 2011 12:43 pm
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Long live Bruce!
(I'm playing a Hybrid at present) |
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William Johnson
From:
Statesboro, Georgia, USA
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Posted 16 Jun 2011 5:26 pm
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Thanks for the replies and info. I will try to see if a G2 owner near me soon. I live in Statesboro, GA about 50 miles north of Savannah.
Later, billy
_________________
William Johnson (Billy)
Statesboro, GA
Sho Bud Student / Emmons DB E9
Sierra DB E9 / ZUM DB E9 / Derby DB E9 Marlen E9 / BMI E9
Mosrite Ventures '69 / Gibson Cherry ES345 / Custom 'Billie-Tele' Telecaster / Gibson '78 J45 / Custom 'P-Strat' Squire Stratocaster / Epi Parlor
Fender '69 Deluxe Reverb / Peavey NV400 + Peavey TubeFex + Goodrich 7A MatchBox & Pedal |
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