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Topic: "A" pedal question |
Don Downes
From:
New Hampshire, USA
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Posted 2 Dec 2021 12:57 pm |
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I have an odd ball question.
I have an MSA S-10 Classic. (3P-4K) Emmons E-9 setup. My A pedal (1st pedal), fully depressed, raises 5 & 10 string (B) a whole tone (C#), as it should. When I let off the pedal about half way, the C# drops to C natural, then to B fully released. I love this. It allows me to go from the IV to the IVm and resolve resolve to the Imaj7 (using the knee.) (sorry for the lousy notation)
My question is two-fold: A.) It almost feels as there is a "stop/detent" half way as I release the pedal to the minor 4th. Is this normal? and B.) Can I make that detent more pronounced, or is that an ear/technique thing?
I apologize for not speaking more clearly. I'm a rookie.
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"The secret to a long life is to keep breathing." |
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Tucker Jackson
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA
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Posted 2 Dec 2021 1:16 pm Re:
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| Don Downes wrote: |
My question is two-fold: A.) It almost feels as there is a "stop/detent" half way as I release the pedal to the minor 4th. Is this normal? and B.) Can I make that detent more pronounced, or is that an ear/technique thing?
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It's highly unlikely that there is a feel-stop at the halfway point. That would be super unusual, but it's possible a prior owner set up something like that. Flip the guitar over in the case and work the A-pedal. Watch the pull-rods -- there should only be two that are wired up with that pedal. A third rod connected to one of the bell cranks and running down to the changer might indicate an added feel-stop.
As to making the detent more pronounced -- or adding one if there isn't one already there -- that's probably not a good idea as it can potentially make the smooth gliss of the pedal sound 'jerky' when it hits that added resistance. I think a few folks on the Forum have reported setting up a half-stop, and then abandoning it.
Most people just learn to execute that half-pedal move with practice. It's usually not 100% in tune, but it can still be useable.
Or you can release pedals, engage the E-lower knee lever and slide up a fret to get that same chord as the half-pedaled thing you're currently doing. Do it all in one quick, synchronized move and with a little practice and deft volume-pedal ducking, it can be a smooth transition that you sort of slide up into. |
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Don Downes
From:
New Hampshire, USA
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Posted 2 Dec 2021 1:38 pm
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| Quote: |
| Most people just learn to execute that half-pedal move with practice. It's usually not 100% in tune, but it can still be useable. |
I like that. I can make the pitch. I was more or less wondering if this was a bug or a feature. The previous owner did some pretty funky stuff, and it's taken me more time and $$$ to "repair" past "upgrades" than I care to recall. (I have PSG Parts on speed dial).
This is very helpful.
Thanks, Tucker.
_________________
"The secret to a long life is to keep breathing." |
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Bruce Derr
From:
Lee, New Hampshire, USA
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Posted 2 Dec 2021 2:16 pm
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| If you only feel it when releasing the pedal, could something be hanging up or rubbing somewhere? |
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Don Downes
From:
New Hampshire, USA
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Posted 2 Dec 2021 2:40 pm
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No, Bruce. It's not hanging up. It's a very smooth transition. As Tucker said, it would make for a nasty gliss if it had a "hard stop", which I agree. I think it's just a matter of learning how to use it properly. You know the way to Carnegie Hall, right?
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"The secret to a long life is to keep breathing." |
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Rich Peterson
From:
Moorhead, MN
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Posted 2 Dec 2021 4:06 pm
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| It is quite possible the previous owner set it up to do this. He would have to have more patience than most humans. |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 3 Dec 2021 12:48 pm
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I suspect that the timing of the two strings being pulled is off, either intentionally or by accident. At any rate, the only ways to make the "ersatz" detent more pronounced would be to add a spring or change string gauges, and then re-time the pulls, or just add a half-stop. Personally, I'd suggest using it as is...until you get more experience.
Guitars are somewhat like cars, in that you should learn to "drive" first, and worry about modifying it later. Or, as has been said many times before, don't try to fix what ain't broke.
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