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Topic: Lowering a pedal steel |
Brian Henry
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Posted 12 Sep 2012 11:00 am |
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I have a gfi expo that is light and has great tone. When I engage levers it moves a bit. It is also really way too high for me. If I shortened the legs 2" would that give it more stability. Your comment would be appreciated.
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LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN GEORGIA |
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Shorty Rogers
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Posted 13 Sep 2012 9:06 am
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The first thing I do when I get a new steel is get out the tubing cutter, bolt cutters, and tap & die set. I take 1.5-2 inches off length of the pedal rods and legs as needed. Of course, the 3 I ordered new came the correct height but the other 5 all got the treatment. It's a bit of a pain when you go to sell, but not that hard to accomplish. Jimmie Crawford once told me that you should only need to raise or lower your seat, but I found, for me, there is very little margin involved in getting everything where I can comfortably reach every pedal and knee while able to keep my shoulders and arms as relaxed as possible. The most comfortable steel I have owned is my Fessie SD10 and it not only was made to fit me heightwise, but the pedals and left knee cluster were all moved two spaces to the right, which my bum left hip really appreciates. I suspect there may be a slight increase in flex that way, but not that much. All 5'2" of me says go for it. I'm sure you'll like it.
Shorty Rogers |
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Alan Brookes
From:
Brummy living in Southern California
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Posted 13 Sep 2012 11:46 am
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Shorty, I guess your name speaks for itself. I usually have the opposite problem, as I have to heighten pedal steels so that I can fit under them. I can never find a pedal steel which is comfortable to play. The pedals are okay, but positioning myself so that I can work knee levers gives me backache. 
The problem with reselling is solved by doing the alterations you list, and then getting a riser set. For me, the riser set heightens the instrument, but for you it would put it back to its original height so that you can sell it.  |
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Howard Parker
From:
Maryland
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Posted 13 Sep 2012 12:26 pm
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The only real consideration is whether a guitar is the correct height to achieve a proper playing position. If you continue lower it to achieve "stability" you risk making it unplayable.
h
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Howard Parker
03\' Carter D-10
70\'s Dekley D-10
52\' Fender Custom
Many guitars by Paul Beard
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Mark Lawrence
From:
Greenfield, Indiana, USA
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Posted 13 Sep 2012 2:57 pm
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| Could a higher seat be an option? |
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Alan Brookes
From:
Brummy living in Southern California
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Posted 13 Sep 2012 5:56 pm
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| Shorty reckons he's tried that and it doesn't work for him. |
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