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Topic: My left leg is amputated, I want to explore Pedal Steel |
Steven Schwartz
From:
Longview Washington, USA
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Posted 23 Feb 2021 3:28 pm |
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I am 70 years old and have a long time amputation of my left leg that happened about 50 years ago. I have gone down the rabbit hole with a 6 string C6 and Open D tuning.
I really want to explore. Has anyone seen a starter steel that could have the pedals on the right side. My left leg is an amazing computer controlled prothesis, but it is useless for controlling anything while sitting down. I have thought about the Certano benders, but these old hands are working hard holding a bar and using picks.
Thanks for taking the time to read this. |
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Jon Light (deceased)
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 23 Feb 2021 3:37 pm
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| Steven -- I almost guarantee you that there are builders that can & will work with you to make this happen. I will let someone else provide some suggestions of who to contact because I don't want to give you bad info. Good luck! |
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Daniel McKee
From:
Corinth Mississippi
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Posted 23 Feb 2021 5:23 pm
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| GFI has done some special builds before with levers that can be activated by your wrist which might help you out but either way I’d contact them and just explain what your needs are and They might have some ideas you could consider. They used to have some pictures of their special builds on the webpage but I don’t know if they are still there. |
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Jim Palenscar
From:
Oceanside, Calif, USA
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Posted 23 Feb 2021 11:06 pm
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| It would make it easier if you were also left handed as the pedals start at the right side. |
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Jimmie Hudson
From:
North Carolina, USA
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Posted 23 Feb 2021 11:11 pm Re: My left leg is amputated, I want to explore Pedal Steel
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| Steven Schwartz wrote: |
I am 70 years old and have a long time amputation of my left leg that happened about 50 years ago. I have gone down the rabbit hole with a 6 string C6 and Open D tuning.
I really want to explore. Has anyone seen a starter steel that could have the pedals on the right side. My left leg is an amazing computer controlled prothesis, but it is useless for controlling anything while sitting down. I have thought about the Certano benders, but these old hands are working hard holding a bar and using picks.
Thanks for taking the time to read this. |
I can build you a pedal steel to meet your needs. hudsonsteelguitars.com
Call me at 704-986-6481
Last edited by Jimmie Hudson on 24 Feb 2021 7:38 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Fred Justice
From:
Mesa, Arizona
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Posted 24 Feb 2021 1:20 am
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Steven, we can help you with your needs at Justice Steel Guitars.
I have built several of these type of set ups.
feel free to view out starter guitars at
http://www.justicesteelguitars.com/S10%20Jr.html
You may call me any time at 480-235-8797
Thank you for looking Steven.
______________
Fred Justice
_________________
Email: azpedalman@gmail.com
Phone: 480-235-8797 |
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Michael Luxem
From:
Northfield, Minnesota, USA
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Posted 24 Feb 2021 6:52 am
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| Steven, I admire your positive attitude and determination. One possibility for building a PSG for you might involve a stand-up model with floor pedals on the right and knee levers modified to extend down and back to align with your upper-knee area. Also, it may be interesting to experiment with placing the volume pedal directly under your left (prosthetic) foot as you are standing and reversing the VP motion so that the volume is off when the pedal is down flat and the volume increases as you press down (forward) on your (prosthetic) toes and let your (prosthetic) heel rise up. If the VP is not a workable solution, maybe the volume control could be rigged up as a left knew lever, with the same type of extension made for the right-side levers. Another volume control option could involve a left hip (wow!) lever that increases the volume by pressing left or pressing forward. Let us know what your final build looks like! |
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Pete Burak
From:
Portland, OR USA
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Posted 24 Feb 2021 9:45 am
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What part of Washington do you live in?
One of us could probably come by with a Steel to mess around with for an afternoon. |
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Dennis Detweiler
From:
Solon, Iowa, US
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Posted 24 Feb 2021 6:01 pm
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A local steel player had his left leg recently amputated above the knee. He played a D-10 Shobud for many years. He recently bought a MSA S-12, older model. They are predrilled for 10 floor pedals which takes him to the right side with floor pedals. He switched to the Day set-up to allow his right foot to rock properly. He rigged up his volume pedal to mount to the back of his seat. I haven't seen it yet, but he says he works the volume by leaning forward and backward?
_________________
1976 Birdseye U-12 MSA with Telonics 427 pickup, 1975 Birdseye U-12 MSA with Telonics X-12 pickup, Revelation preamp, Carbon Copy Delay and Hall Of Fame Reverb, Crown XLS 1002, 2- 15" Eminence Wheelhouse speakers, ShoBud Pedal, Effects Pedals. 1949 Epiphone D-8. |
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Jim Fogarty
From:
Phila, Pa, USA
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Posted 24 Feb 2021 10:13 pm
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Along with being cool in many ways, Junior Brown's volume pedal arrangement on his new PEDAL "Guit-Steel" may work for you?
https://youtu.be/m9Pjpi8Jv4s |
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Jimmie Hudson
From:
North Carolina, USA
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Posted 25 Feb 2021 1:53 am Volume pedal
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Telonics builds a Volume pedal that can be controlled with a hat sensor. I have one and it works well for me.
Just tilt head forward to increase volume and back to lower volume. And it can be set to work in reverse form my setup. |
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J D Sauser
From:
Wellington, Florida
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Posted 25 Feb 2021 8:55 am Re: My left leg is amputated, I want to explore Pedal Steel
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| Steven Schwartz wrote: |
I am 70 years old and have a long time amputation of my left leg that happened about 50 years ago. I have gone down the rabbit hole with a 6 string C6 and Open D tuning.
I really want to explore. Has anyone seen a starter steel that could have the pedals on the right side. My left leg is an amazing computer controlled prothesis, but it is useless for controlling anything while sitting down. I have thought about the Certano benders, but these old hands are working hard holding a bar and using picks.
Thanks for taking the time to read this. |
Since you play C6th, I would look at Maurice Anderson's 12-string C6th. (you can find him play it on youtube).
I don't know if you feel that you could operate KNEE levers with what's left of your left leg(?). If you had 4 changes (4 levers) on a tuning like Maurice's you'd be kicking you know what.
... J-D.
_________________
__________________________________________________________
Was it JFK who said: Ask Not What TAB Can Do For You - Rather Ask Yourself "What Would B.B. King Do?"
A Little Mental Health Warning:
Tablature KILLS SKILLS.
The uses of Tablature is addictive and has been linked to reduced musical fertility.
Those who produce Tablature did never use it.
I say it humorously, but I mean it. |
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Jim Fogarty
From:
Phila, Pa, USA
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Posted 25 Feb 2021 6:20 pm Re: Volume pedal
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| Jimmie Hudson wrote: |
Telonics builds a Volume pedal that can be controlled with a hat sensor. I have one and it works well for me.
Just tilt head forward to increase volume and back to lower volume. And it can be set to work in reverse form my setup. |
That sounds REALLY cool, Jimmie.
But what happens when a pretty girl walks by?!?!
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Jimmie Hudson
From:
North Carolina, USA
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Posted 25 Feb 2021 7:19 pm Re: Volume pedal
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| Jim Fogarty wrote: |
| Jimmie Hudson wrote: |
Telonics builds a Volume pedal that can be controlled with a hat sensor. I have one and it works well for me.
Just tilt head forward to increase volume and back to lower volume. And it can be set to work in reverse form my setup. |
That sounds REALLY cool, Jimmie.
But what happens when a pretty girl walks by?!?!
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Girls like a soft touch on the music |
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Bobby D. Jones
From:
West Virginia, USA
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Posted 25 Feb 2021 9:19 pm
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What would be worse, Breathe some contaminate and get a bad case of sneezes.
There is a post here on the forum about the hat volume control. I looked on the forum last night for it. Could not locate it.
It would be nice if you could get hold of 12 U. and check to see if you could properly maneuver the 6-7-8 or 5-6-7 pedals to imitate the ABC pedals. If you could operate a RKL to lower 4-8 and a RKL to raise 4-8-11 would cover a lot of standard steel guitar licks.
Good Luck and Happy Steelin. |
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Gary Spaeth
From:
Wisconsin, USA
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Posted 26 Feb 2021 7:01 am
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you could try an elbow lever like the crude prototype i built in the picture. also had a palm lever under my wrist. they worked together well. the whole unit bolted on to the back of the guitar.
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Steven Schwartz
From:
Longview Washington, USA
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Posted 17 Mar 2021 4:42 pm
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Thank you all for taking time to respond.
I have decided to order a HudsonSteel 6 string, 2 pedals, two knee levers.
Jimmy Hudson has told me he is able to move the pedals and levers over to the right side for me. LessonsWithTroy has a series on the 6 string. I am fascinated by what can be done with the middle six strings of e9 tuning and a couple of pedals and levers.
I am waiting for my stimulus check so that I can stimulate Jimmy Hudson with an official order.
Some of ideas about volume control have been useful and thoughtful. Jimmie Hudson mentioned a hat that could control the volume and I thought he was joking. No there is such a thing.
Again, thank you to all who took the time. |
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Dennis Detweiler
From:
Solon, Iowa, US
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Posted 18 Mar 2021 10:26 am
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My local steel player friend tried a volume controlled with the wrist, but he didn't like changing his picking angle. He recently rigged his volume pedal to the back of his seat and just leans forward/backward to use it. I haven't seen it yet, but I'm curious. He moved his floor pedals to the right side, compliments of the MSA pre-drilled cross-shaft positions. Next step is getting used to using the new left leg and getting the left kneelevers working.
_________________
1976 Birdseye U-12 MSA with Telonics 427 pickup, 1975 Birdseye U-12 MSA with Telonics X-12 pickup, Revelation preamp, Carbon Copy Delay and Hall Of Fame Reverb, Crown XLS 1002, 2- 15" Eminence Wheelhouse speakers, ShoBud Pedal, Effects Pedals. 1949 Epiphone D-8. |
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Jerry Pack
From:
Modesto, Ca USA
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Posted 18 Mar 2021 12:49 pm Left leg amputation
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Steven,
Just to encourage you a steel can be made to play with your right foot. I have a custom made double ten with seven foot pedals and eight knee levers. It takes time to adjust your thinking. Thanks to all my steel playing friends that keep me encouraged.
Jerry Pack
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Jerry Pack
From:
Modesto, Ca USA
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Posted 18 Mar 2021 12:54 pm Left leg amputation
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Sorry I don't know how rotate the pictures .
Jerry |
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Mike Vallandigham
From:
Martinez, CA
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Posted 19 Mar 2021 11:54 am
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Jerry, that is really cool. And a beautiful black guitar.
I've seen builders come up with all kinds of stuff.
Looks like something like Jerry's guitar would be just right for Steven.
Jerry, how is it reaching all the pedals with one foot?
Bet you get used to it, like anything.  |
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Jimmie Hudson
From:
North Carolina, USA
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Posted 19 Mar 2021 12:58 pm yes
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| Steven Schwartz wrote: |
Thank you all for taking time to respond.
I have decided to order a HudsonSteel 6 string, 2 pedals, two knee levers.
Jimmy Hudson has told me he is able to move the pedals and levers over to the right side for me. LessonsWithTroy has a series on the 6 string. I am fascinated by what can be done with the middle six strings of e9 tuning and a couple of pedals and levers.
I am waiting for my stimulus check so that I can stimulate Jimmy Hudson with an official order.
Some of ideas about volume control have been useful and thoughtful. Jimmie Hudson mentioned a hat that could control the volume and I thought he was joking. No there is such a thing.
Again, thank you to all who took the time. |
I look forward to building your guitar custom to fit you and meet your needs with the pedals moved to fit you. |
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Jerry Overstreet
From:
Louisville Ky
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Posted 19 Mar 2021 1:46 pm
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Something for you to think about. You don't necessarily need a foot volume control. I'm sure Jimmie can install a volume control on the cabinet to operate with your right hand.
Although you can, you don't even need to operate it as continuous volume controller or expression pedal. You can just set it and leave it or adjust as necessary. There is so much you can do for dynamics just by picking strength etc.
That's what I would do in your situation.
I admire you for taking on this challenge and I'm quite sure you will enjoy it immensely and progress just fine.
Best of Luck. |
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