Crawford "Cluster"

Ricky Littleton · From: Steely-Eyed Missile Man from Cocoa Beach, Florida USA

My question is pretty simple: How are the multiple knees configured with the "cluster" so that you can engage only one at a time if need be?

I suspect the knees closer to the front of the guitar are perhaps closer together than the rearward set thus allowing you to engage the rearward levers without touching the front ones.

Am I close, dead on or so far away it's laughable?

Thanks for all your help guys,

Ricky

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Emmons LeGrande - 8x4
Session 400 Ltd
Dan-Echo, E-Bow, Ibanez Distortion, Boss Comp./Sustain, Ibanez Auto-Wah

Dag Wolf · From: Bergen, Norway

Ricky,
You are right!

Tilting your kneelevers are importaint. When you reach for the front lever with the point of your knee and has the lever fully pressed - you`re just about to touch the back lever.

To use the back lever you slide back in you seat and avoiding the front lever when pressing the back lever.

The LKR backlever are the most difficult to use with the Crawford cluster.

Hopes this helps.

Dag

[This message was edited by Dag Wolf on 14 March 2003 at 02:35 AM.]

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

So the Crawford Cluster is
LKL2 LKL1 LNV LKR1 LKR2
the 1's forward and the 2's at the back
or am I adding or subtracting something.
How does he use them?

This is certainly the timezone cluster here this am!

[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 14 March 2003 at 02:50 AM.]

C Dixon · From: Duluth, GA USA

Donald,

The labeling of the knees is not consistent sadly.

For example, some call the lever closest to the front of the guitar 1, yet others call it 2. The same goes for "inner" and "outer".

It is like the never ending debate over the D and E levers; or X, Bb and H levers (when talking about the vertical levers).

But you are correct about the "Crawford Cluster", there are two left moving knee levers, two right moving knee levers and one vertical knee lever all in a cluster around the left knee.

There are players that have two "Crawford Clusters"; one for E9th and one for C6th making a total of 10 knee levers all for the left knee. I seem to recall that Jimmy is one of them. These guitars usually have a total of 12 knee levers considering the two for the right knee. I know of guitars with a partial "cluster" on the right knee; just no vertical.

And it is also correct that the 2nd right moving knee lever is the hardest to get used to (IMO). I attribute this to the natural angle that the left knee is usally with respect to the levers' movement.

By far the most common double arrangement is two Left knee knee levers on E9th. While it usually warps yer mind at first, it is the easiest to get used to of all the double knee levers.

Finally, it is also correct that in most cases, the forward knee is engaged using the point of the knee. Whereas the rearward lever is engaged using the side of the knee. However, this is NOT always the case. Some simply move their entire body forward or rearward to engage the appropriate lever on the side of the knee.

But most simply shift ever so slightly in their seat and catch the lever closest to the front of the guitar near the point of the knee.

My first double setup (two LKL's) drove me crazy when I first put it on about 15 yrs ago. But now it is just as easy and natural as any other lever. I now have two RKR's. Now that was a real challenge for me. I still am not 100% comfortable with it. But I am getting there little by little.

Our precious God has sooo endowed man with the ability to adjust. Praise his holy name,

carl

C Dixon · From: Duluth, GA USA

I do not know what copedent JC has. But the following are most of the changes that many players have, albeit no one (to my knowledge) has all of them. So take your pick:

(E9th)

1. Raise the E's

2. Lower the E's

3. Lower the 2nd string a whole tone with half stop and lower the 9th string a half a tone.

4. lower the 6th string a whole tone.

5. Raise 1 and 7 a half a tone.

6. Lower 5 and 10 a half a tone.

7. Raise 1 and 7 a whole tone and raise 2 a half a tone.

8. lower 5, 6 and 10 a whole tone.

9. Raise 5 a tone and a half.

10. Raise 5 a whole tone, raise 3 and 6 a half a tone, lower 9 a half a tone and lower 10 a whole tone, and compensate the F#'s (ALL on one knee lever!).

11. Lower 3 and 6 a half a tone.

(C6th)

1. Lower 3 a half a tone.

2. Raise 3 (possibly 7) a half a tone.

3. Lower 4 (possibly Cool

a half a tone.

4. Raise 4 (possibly Cool

a half a tone.

5. Lower 5 a whole tone.

7. lower 2 a half a tone and raise 6 a half a tone.

8. Raise 2 and 6 a half a tone.

9. Lower 2 and 6 a half a tone.

10. Lower 2 a whole tone and raise 9 a whole tone.

Now that's a bunch!!

"If'n ya need em, put dem sapsuckers on there and be happy. It is YOUR world. Live it and enjoy every single second of it."

carl

[This message was edited by C Dixon on 14 March 2003 at 09:21 AM.]

John Macy · From: Rockport TX/Denver CO

I've played a Crawford setup since '79.

Keep ing mind 2nd string is tuned to D

LKL Front G#'s to G
LKL Rear E's to F
LKV B's to B Flat (though mine is now low G# to B)
LKR Front 2nd string D to C#
Low G# to F#
LKR Rear Originally 2nd string D to C
High F# to G#
2nd string D to E
RKL E's to D#
RKR 2nd string D to D#
9th string D to C#

Pedal 4 High B to C#
Low G# to A
(though mine is now the Franklin
4th pedal)

Pedal 9 High B to C#
Low B to BFlat
Pedal 10 High F# to G
2nd string D to E

Hope this helps...

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

Hi C. I believe it's Carl, Please call me David.. Mr. Donald is much too formal here!
Thanks for all that info It goes into my file. You are always helpful and I am always grateful for that.

I actally had heard of the Crawford Cluster decades ago, but hadn't had a reason to define it exactly till now.
My Sho-Bud had a RKL 2 towards the player and RKL1 towards the people out thar . ( half a cluster?) until this week.
But I thought I needed a LK for C6 more than the extra E9 RK lever for the moment. So it has migrated for the spring.

But I foresee LKR (Ab)on C6 & LKV C6 in the near future.

[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 02 February 2005 at 11:50 AM.]

Bob Snelgrove · From: san jose, ca

John

Could you post the C6 setup on the Crawford cluster?

thx

bob

Larry Bell · From: Englewood, Florida

Bob,
(I'm not John but the answer's the same)
The Cluster consists of five left knee levers (in addition to the two on the right knee that usually pull both necks) and most C6 players don't use 7 levers on that neck, and most D-10s don't have more than 10 total, unless your name is 'Cage'.

(here's hoping he will either recover his Hilt Custom or will have another before too long)

The Crawford Cluster, even for Jimmie, only works the E9. Many players have a separate 1, 2, or 3 levers in a middle 'partial cluster', over the C6 pedals. Few C6 players use more than a LKL, LKR, and LKV, plus the two right levers doing 'double duty'.

If you'd like a great pictorial explanation, on p43 of "Pedal Steel Guitar: A Manual of Style" featuring Jimmie, John Hughey, Terry Bethel, and Weldon Myrick, JC walks you through how each lever is set up and used. Scotty sells this book, his item# is I00165 and it's $29.95 and worth twice that. An often overlooked piece of pedal steel history and theory.

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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 2000 Fessenden S-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps

[This message was edited by Larry Bell on 15 March 2003 at 11:05 AM.]

Steve Feldman · From: Central MA USA

[This message was edited by Steve Feldman on 16 March 2003 at 10:10 AM.]

Larry Bell · From: Englewood, Florida

A picture's worth a thousand words.
Thanks for the 3,000 words, Steve.

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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 2000 Fessenden S-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps

Jim Smith · From: Midlothian, TX, USA

I just noticed that both of Jimmie's vertical knee levers are reversing levers. I've never seen any, so is that very common on push pulls?

Larry Bell · From: Englewood, Florida

Yep, although I've seen the ones that angle the other way that don't. The one in the picture is exactly like the one on my '69 Emmons.

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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 2000 Fessenden S-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps

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

Are the actual levers wood or metal?

Ricky Littleton · From: Steely-Eyed Missile Man from Cocoa Beach, Florida USA

As always, this Forum never ceases to provide the most broad-based and practical answers to anyone. I really appreciate everyones responses, they have been invaluble in helping me work-up my set-up for my next guitar purchase!

Thanks to everyone,

Ricky

------------------
Emmons LeGrande - 8x4
Session 400 Ltd
Dan-Echo, E-Bow, Ibanez Distortion, Boss Comp./Sustain, Ibanez Auto-Wah

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

The pictures posted by Steve Feldman were from MY BOOK that I wrote with Jimmie-- "The Elements of Style."
Please credit when used.
The book is little known, and has loads of info and hot tab in it.

JW

Doug Seymour · From: Jamestown NY USA (deceased)

I recognised the pictures right off, Winnie.
You deserve lots of credit for steel guitar things (books etc) over the years! Great book

Larry Bell · From: Englewood, Florida

My apologies, Winnie, for not noticing and acknowledging that you edited and compiled the book when I made the first reference.

Funny thing tho, my copy reads 'A MANUAL of Style'

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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 2000 Fessenden S-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps

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

Larry!
You ARE right.
The problems one gets when one is doing several things at once.
the "Elements of Style" was written by Strunk and White. Been looking at it lately, so it is in my mind.
Tip:
E. B. White says:
The word is "nauseated." Do not say "I am nauseous" unless you are sure you have that effect on your friends.

JW

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

Winnie, LOL still.. good one.

Frank Estes · From: Huntsville, AL

Thinking of him...

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

Ditto and l'm listening to
Through The Years Among Friends,
at the moment.

[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 02 February 2005 at 03:20 PM.]

Joey Ace · From: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Thanks for bringing this to the top, Frank.

RIP, JC.

Dave Ristrim · From: Whites Creek, TN

The cluster is a great idea and leave it to Jimmy Crawford to make it work. Winnie, your book "manual of styles" and your Oak pub. book are the greatest. If anyone does not have the"Manual", get it. It contains wonderful info on knee lever preferences and such. By the way Winnie, I also just got the book "Elements of Style" by Strunk et al. Are we both working on the great american novel at the same time?
Dave

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