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Topic: Pedal Steel Set-Up? (GFI Student Model) |
Ben Cartwright
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA
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Posted 15 May 2009 5:37 pm |
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Howdy!
Been playing pedal steel for about 4 months but have played guitar my whole life and I always got my guitars set up at least once a year because I played them a lot. So, I have a GFI Student S-10 and have noticed that some of the strings (specifically the high E and G#) are quieter then the lower E, F# and G# strings. Also, if I play chords or licks one octave higher then the lower register stuff, it's significantly quiet as well.
So, I was wondering how typical it was to get your pedal steel set up.
What would this even consist of? Would this help the volume discrepancies between strings and octaves?
Or, is there something I can do? Seems a bit perplexing having only one humbucker and all strings the same height away so not sure what I can do.
Thanks!
-Ben |
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Sonny Priddy
From:
Elizabethtown, Kentucky, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 15 May 2009 5:55 pm strings
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| Rase The Pickup Up Some On That side. Might do it. SONNY. |
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Ethan Shaw
From:
Texas, USA
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Posted 15 May 2009 6:15 pm
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| There's nothing wrong with your guitar--the high strings, because they're thinner, are inherently softer. You can try raising the one end of the pickup, but ultimately it's not going to do much. Try using slightly bigger strings on that end, and if that doesn't help enough, add more treble on your amp. Don't waste your money getting that guitar set up, because there's not really any way to set it up better than it came from the factory. |
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Chuck Snider R.I.P.
From:
West Virginia, USA - Morgantown, WV
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Posted 15 May 2009 6:34 pm
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Ben, pedal steels typically do not require the tweaking type of fine adjustments one might make on an acoustic or electric guitar. There is no action to adjust. I'm no pedal steel mechanic, but basicly as far as setup goes, the only real thing you would want to check is that the clearance between the strings and the top of the pickup is about the width of two quarters. If there is any adjustment using the mounting screws for the pickup, that would be about all. And that is not even that critical. I have a GFI U-12 Ultra and it initially had a GeorgeL E-66 pickup, which is also a humbucker, and the clearance was a little less than two quarters, I tried increasing it slightly and was not able to get it any lower. So, as far as I can tell the two quarter clearance is a rule of thumb, but the tolerance does not seem to be real critical.
The only other thing I can think of in the way of setup would be pedal height, which would be a personal preference and would be made by adjusting the rod lengths.
Did you buy the guitar new?
-Chuck
_________________
GFI U-12 Ultra Keyless, Carter Black U-12, both with Alumitones, and a sweet '70 Sho-Bud Permanent D-10, NV400 in Rick Johnson cabs, NV112, '73 Vibrosonic in Rick Johnson cabs, Hilton pedal, Steeler's Choice seat, Bessdang Gizmos from Dale Hansen, and a few other widgets and doodads.
I may not sound good, I just don't wanna sound bad. |
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Ben Cartwright
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA
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Posted 15 May 2009 7:44 pm
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Yea, bought it used. I was able to adjust pedal height, etc. as that was pretty intuitive. I'll try the pickup/string height adjustment. That makes total sense.
Thanks! |
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David Kellogg
From:
Tualatin, OR
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Posted 15 May 2009 8:18 pm Hey Ben
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| You missed a great jam in March. |
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David Doggett
From:
Bawl'mer, MD (formerly of MS, Nawluns, Gnashville, Knocksville, Lost Angeles, Bahsten. and Philly)
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Posted 15 May 2009 9:50 pm
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| Adjust the pickup to be about one quarter clearance on the high strings, and about two quarters clearance on the low strings. Also, if you are using an 0.011 on the 3rd string, try an 0.0115 (Jagwire makes them) or an 0.012. |
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Ben Cartwright
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA
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Posted 15 May 2009 10:12 pm
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Hey David,
I've been playing in a country band for the last several months getting my chops up and yes...I know...I can go and just watch...but I would kick myself for not bringing my steel.
Thanks all for the suggestions. The pickup height will probably do the trick and the larger gauge strings are a good idea as well. |
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Per Berner
From:
Skovde, Sweden
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Posted 18 May 2009 1:15 am
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| You could get a Tonealigner pickup from forumite Bob Hoffnar; they are the only steel guitar pickups with adjustable polepieces that I know of. I haven't tried one myself yet, but I'm going to get one soon. |
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