Pedal - Knee Lever Question

Roland Soule · From: Santee, California, USA

I'm another new guy on the block having a lot of fun learning to play for about two months now. Got Jeff Newman's PSG 101 DVD which helps immensely. Mine's a Carter SD-10. Question for you all, in rolling my left foot from the B pedal onto the A pedal, my knee tends to hit the LKR lever, partially activating it. Any solution to this? Thanks so much!

chas smith R.I.P. · From: Encino, CA, USA

In all honesty, more practice. These things aren't easy to play and two months is just the beginning.

Richard Sinkler · From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

Give it some time. You will learn how to bend your ankle instead of moving your leg. I used to just sit at the guitar and practice bending my ankle while holding my leg to prevent it from moving.

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Carter D10 9p/10k, NV400

David L. Donald · From: Koh Samui Island, Thailand

Rocking and Blocking
the two great bugaboos of the steel.
well intonation too, but that is more ear than physical.

What Chaz said, woodshed more.
Like any unusual physical function you must train your body parts to respond as needed.

You might try putting your LKL lever a bit farther to the left.
But that then means you have got to travel farther to use it.
a trade off.

[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 14 November 2004 at 05:41 AM.]

Larry Bell · From: Englewood, Florida

How much space is there between your LKL and LKR? How wide is your knee? You should have an inch or so more than the width of your knee. Most modern guitars have tilt adjustments on the levers that allow really accurate adjustments. This is particularly important when you have staggered levers (e.g., two LKL's or two LKR's -- like in a 'Crawford Cluster').

It's true that you need to practice the moves and learn to roll the ankle without moving the leg, but, if the levers are too close together, they may need to be adjusted. On your Carter, there should be a hex screw and locking nut at the lever bracket that adjusts the tilt. Good luck.

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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps

Steve Hitsman · From: Waterloo, IL

Maybe you just need to raise your A pedal a bit. I did and you get the added benefit of making your A pedal/LKR a little easier.

Larry Bell · From: Englewood, Florida

From the symptom he describes, I'd think LOWERING the A pedal would help you avoid hitting LKR. I wouldn't advise messing with the height of the pedals if you can pivot your ankle and come completely off the A pedal while holding B. Some like having the half pedal be level with the B pedal when it bottoms out. That way the half pedal is easier to control and the full step raise brings the pedal down a bit past level. It's a personal preference.

Best way is to work on using only the ankle for the rocking motion and not moving the knee. Even that won't work well if the levers are too close together.

It's noteworthy to mention that THIS IS A REALLY GOOD REASON TO HAVE AN EXPERIENCED TEACHER. It's a lot easier to practice the right way than it is to change a habit that keeps you from playing as well as you can.

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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps

Jim Smith · From: Midlothian, TX, USA

I don't see how you could accidently hit LKR when going from B to A unless you're using the Day setup.

Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

Quit wearing cowboy boots! They severely limit ankle movement.
Erv

Larry Bell · From: Englewood, Florida

My bad
I read it wrong
I was assuming he had A+B down and was rocking off of A. That's where it would interfere with LKR.

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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps

richard burton · From: Britain

Another way to reduce 'leg sway' would be to shorten the amount of pedal travel.
In years to come, steelers will be arguing about who thought up the word 'copedent'. I want it on record that 'leg sway' is new terminology, coined here for the first time, by yours truly

Roland Soule · From: Santee, California, USA

Thanks so much for the helpful hints! Larry was right about my problem being with A&B down, and rocking off of A. I'll start with more practice and then look for a teacher (not sure how many there are in the San Diego area). I'ts great how you all emabrace the newcomers to the instrument with all of our questions. Thanks again.

Dave Grafe · From: Hudson River Valley NY

Hey Roland, Richard had it right --

Ron Sodos · From: San Antonio, Texas USA

Sometimes you need to adjust the throw of the knee lever (depending on how tight it is)to make it so you don't activate the knee lever when you roll off the pedals. If there is enough room in the knee then its you. But don't assume its you unless you have a pro player look at it.I am a big guy and I have had to either adjust or even move knee levers in order to make it fit me.
..............

Ray Minich · From: Bradford, Pa. Frozen Tundra

Ankle Bending and Advil. Maybe a new ad slogan for a limited audience.

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