Question about dealing with a LOT of knee levers.

Scott Denniston · From: Hahns Peak, Colorado, USA

Didn't want to hijack the Cage guitar thread more. It was mentioned there that he had 16 knee levers on his Hilt Custom. I'm wrestling with 8. I'm but a mere mortal but can't imagine someone dealing with 16. With these 8 you have to be a contortionist to hit a couple of them without bumping some others unintentionally. The most I've played comfortably on other guitars is 6. I suppose some could be folded out of the way if I knew a tune didn't call for them. Or is it something you just get used to?

Bengt Erlandsen · From: Brekstad, NORWAY

I have 7 knee levers on my S12extE9 and they are all fairly easy to get around with.
LKL(front) LKL(rear) LKV LKR P1-P7 RKL RKR(front) RKR(rear)

If I use LKL(front) I will be in a natural position to use RKR(rear) and both of these are set with a very short movement.

LKL(rear) and RKR(front) is my normal(90%) of the time position. I almost never use both LKL(front) and RKR(front) same time.

Getting all levers adjusted to match your sitting position perfectly takes a little work tho.

I could probably manage two verticals on LKL (left/right) if the movement on those levers was set to a fairly short movement. They would however need be customfit to the player for proper positioning.

I do have another S10LG with just 4 knee-levers and 3 pedals that is just a fun to play around with.

No matter how many knee levers you have I think it is of great importance to have these properly adjusted to your own sitting position so all levers can work with the least amount of effort.

B.Erlandsen
Zumsteel S12extE9 7+7

Scott Denniston · From: Hahns Peak, Colorado, USA

Thanks Bengt that helps a lot. I did move the front LKR a little further forward to isolate it from the rear LKR and that's better but I'm still contorting to get to it. I want to use it with LKV too. So I'll still have some adjustments to make. I'll get it in time. When I first started with this I was sliding forward and twisting on the seat thinking "This ain't right. People don't do this." So I see it'll take some time to make it fit.

Bengt Erlandsen · From: Brekstad, NORWAY

it is a slight hip twist only, not much sliding needed. Front LKL is activated with the tip of the knee so when it is engaged you almost gonna hit rear LKL (but since left leg is at an angle towards the left side youre not gonna hit the rear LKL. However if I use rear LKL by itself, I can not twist directly and push knee slightly forward as that would collide directly in the front LKL.
I could use both LKL by careful positioning of the knee but it creates uneccessary force that try push both levers away from eachother so I dont use that combo.

If you have two front/rear LKR then that is quite another challenge to get to work smoothly. I had two LKR originally on my Zumsteel, but moved the rear LKR to RKR(rear) so I could benefit from the slight twist of hips when switching between front/rear outer levers.

With two LKR(front/rear) I would prefer a "short" moving lever on the front so your leg almost touch the rear LKR when using the front LKR. When using rear LKR your knee would have to pass clear of the front LKR. Which means.. front LKR only accessible if rear LKR is released.

Hope this helps and best of luck getting optimal lever positioning.

B.Erlandsen
Zumsteel S12extE9 7+7

scott murray · From: Asheville, NC

I believe Buddy had 14 knee levers, which is 5 per neck on the left knee and 4 more on the right knee. I remember the first time I saw his Hilt in person and trying to count all the knee levers... I couldn't do it!

I've got 11 knees on my Legrande and they can all be adjusted to hang at any angle. that adjustment is the key to keep from bumping any levers unintentionally and getting them exactly where they need to be.
_________________
1965 Emmons S-10, 3x5 • Emmons LLIII D-10, 10x12 • JCH D-10, 10x12 • Beard MA-8 • Oahu Tonemaster

Scott Denniston · From: Hahns Peak, Colorado, USA

Scott, Rich Upright on the Buddy Cage Guitar thread just stated that it had grown to 16. Still I can't imagine even your 11. I don't think I'll ever want to deal with more than 8.

Scott and Bengt: your descriptions have been very helpful for me. I'll concentrate on positioning, lever angle and amount of travel. Once refined it won't seem so overwhelming.

Benjamin Davidson · Posted 10 Feb 2021 12:50 pm

It really comes down to adjusting the levers to your playing style.

When I added the RKR2 to take the guitar from the original 6 to 7 knees, two things needed to happen. 1) I needed to learn how to shift my weight and leg on the volume pedal to engage that lever without moving the volume pedal, and 2) it took me a while just to get that lever positioned correctly not to be inadvertently engaged with my RKR1 (E to Eb) lever.

When I added the other 2 levers to build a center cluster for B6th side of the universal, I originally kept LKR in its original location - which lasted for just a few days before I relocated it to CKR2. It prevented me from shifting between the tunings smoothly, and I felt simply folding it into the under carriage would leave it un-used and forgotten.

I have my 9 levers set up, LKL2 (rear) LKL1 (front) LKV, CKV, CKR1 (front) CKR2 (rear), RKL, RKR1 (front, RKR2 (rear). My neutral position is direct behind fret 13, and I have to be mindful how far behind the guitar I'm sitting. The only lever I have difficulty engaging now is that CKR2 (inward thigh, without clipping my kneecap on the front lever there.

It took me some time to adjust to this layout, but its working great for me. Layout is key, I expanded out the levers, and I positioned and re positioned the new levers until I had them as comfortable as I could.
_________________
Justice Pro-Lite (9p9k) 10 String D13th Universal Tuning

Scott Denniston · From: Hahns Peak, Colorado, USA

Thanks Benjamin. I had no idea how involved it would be getting these set so they're usable for me. I've got some Buck Reid tab where I can start using pretty much everything and adjusting & readjusting until it's right. It's good to know everyone with a lot of levers goes through this process initially.

Forum Index > Pedal Steel		Next oldest topic :: Next newest topic

All times are GMT - 8 Hours	Jump to: