Universal Tuning Pedals 123 Setup?

Richard Stanton · From: England

I recently purchased a Mullen U12 PSG. Up to now I have been used to playing on a 10 string E9th setup using the Emmons setup on pedals 123. Looking at the E9/B6 tuning information on the Steel Guitar Forum most people seem use the Day setup on these pedals. I would like if possible to keep to the Emmons setup. Can anyone please explain the advantages or disadvantages of the two setups in relation to the universal tuning. My guitar is a Mullen U12 with 7x4 I would welcome any advice as to how best to set it up whilst at the same time retaining the Emmonds setup and using my LKL lever to raise my E's to F's. Is this practicle or do I have to start from scratch again?

Jon Light · From: Saugerties, NY

I am not familiar with the setups you have seen. I play a modified but pretty much still a basic U-12 with LKL E>F raise and with Emmons ABC. (E lower is on RKL) No problems. I won't get into Emmons vs. Day but I'm not aware of any issues with Uni and Emmons.

rpetersen · From: Iowa

I moved my A&B pedals to the B C spot (Emmons tuning) and use my 1st pedal for some funky stuff - I raise my E to F# (4th string)with the same Knee lever that raises my 9th string to D - It also puts the B pedal closer to your 6th pedals, which I sometimes use in the B6th mode. I like it mostly because you never have to take you feet off of the "A&B"pedals, even to get the BC pedal move. and keeps your foot closer to the 6th pedals.

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Ron Petersen &
The Keep'n Tyme Band
Mullen Universal 12 - 1975 Session 400 - Nashville 1000

[This message was edited by rpetersen on 01 January 2005 at 03:05 PM.]

Ad Kersten · From: Beek en Donk, The Netherlands

Hi Richard,

I have made that switch from Emmons to Day set-up many years ago, when I bought my Zum U-12. I had no real difficulty in making that change, although I do remember that it took me some months before my "automatic pilot" got used to it.
As for the advantages: with the Day set-up you have the possibility of a sus4 chord on strings 5 and 9 with the "A"-pedal (as P3) in combination with P4 (the Boo-Wah pedal). Also a major 3rd note on string 5 when half-pedalling P3 combined with P4 (it's already there on string 9 by using P4).
Of course the A and B pedal are closer to the B6 pedals 4 through 7, in case you want a dominant 9th chord, when the E is lowered to Eb.
Ad

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Zumsteel S12U

Yo, Man! homepage

Winnie Winston · From: Tawa, Wellington, NZ * R.I.P.

I do believe that Jeff, even before moving to a U12, had used the "Day" set-up. So his use of it on the U12 has little to do with it being a U12.
I know that on my 12 (an extended E-9th with some "universal" capability, I have the pedals as the normal Emmons ABC. Never had any problems with it. It is all what you get used to.

JW

Doug Rolfe · From: Indianapolis, IN

I have a Dekley u12 and have 4 knees and 7 pedals.
I use the Emmons setup on the first 3 pedals just as you would on the standard e9th. I even have the lkl and lkr the same as Emmons. It has been no problem for me.

Richard Stanton · From: England

Thanks very much for your input everyone I now have a much better idea of which way to go.

Bill Stafford · From: Gulfport,Ms. USA

Richard, positioning the pedals, as on all other tunings and guitars, is personal to each individual. Depends on how you "look at, and play" each tuning. Should you play it as one complete tuning, use the example Joe Wright uses and you can't go wrong. Should you tackle each tuning as with a double neck steel, you will discover that certain positions of the knee levers will compromise your situation. Some players have the B to Bb change on a lever that is favored, but if not in the right location, it will be difficult to use in both tunings. With the standard Emmons set up on the pedals, the B to Bb lever should be on your right knee location, if you have the change lock that holds the Es to Eb. When I lock my tuning to B6, my left leg will move out from under my three levers on the left-used for E9, and move over to allow me to select pedals four through eight. Now, I have two additional knee levers centered over pedals 4 - 8 that allow me to use them with any of the B6 pedals. I have taken the typical changes from pedal 7 and installed them on my center left knee left. Installed the same changes on pedal 7 that are used on pedal 2 to give me a B7 chord in the B6 tuning- all the way across the tuning. Also had an "extension" or wart pedal installed on this change to allow me to use P7 all together with P5 & P6 to give me a full dim 7th chord smoothly (with just the tip of my left foot). Now pedals 6 and 7 can be used with the lkl for additional 7ths, ma7ths, dim 7ths, added 9ths etc with no major effort of double foot movements. One foot and one knee is all that is required. Works well for me, but keep in mind that this is so personal and important to each player. Keeping it simple is the key to this situation with lots of practice time. Remember that a triad can be made in any tuning-you just have to know where the notes are-pedal or non. glad to see your interest, Happy New Year.

Bill Stafford

Richard Stanton · From: England

Bill thank you for your interesting comments on the subject I can see me experimenting with various ideas for quite some time. May I also wish you and all other members of this Forum a very Happy and Prosperous New Year.

John Davis · From: Cambridge, U.K.

Hi Richard,
Are you coming to my steel players meeting on the 13th.?
It would be nice to see you and that new 12 string??

Jerry Hayes · From: Virginia Beach, Va.

Hey Richard as far as the Day setup goes I don't think that there are more players that use that set up than the Emmons which is by far the more popular I believe. I use the Emmons set up and as someone else said, it doesn't matter which you use with the U-12 at all..........JH

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Livin' in the Past and Future with a 12 string Mooney Universal tuning.

David Doggett · Posted 3 Jan 2005 6:52 am

I never heard of anyone using the Day setup on a universal until this thread. Most people start with an Emmons E9, and keep it that way when they move to universal. However, there are some interesting advantages mentioned above for the Day setup.

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