Jim Sliff
From:
Lawndale California, USA
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Posted 31 Aug 2009 5:12 am |
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Even though I really don't use a volume pedal in the "normal" way (primarily since I two-foot my 8+2 Fender 400) there are times I'd like to use it - plus I also keep either a Rotovibe or Stringer Blues Bawls Wah next to it, and use those far more than the volume.
The problem is I'm 6'3" and my legs just squeeze under the guitar as-is (with a seat at 21-22"). I can engage the right knee lever, but NOT when using the volume or others (and my volume pedals are low-profile BMI and Fender pot pedals) Also, I keep a boost (MXR Micro Amp) and distortion (MXR Distortion+) attached upside-down under the frame making for an even tighter fit.
I've had lift kits on every "normal" steel I've had, so as usual I thought I could throw something together from hardware store parts to lift this sucker - and it worked!
To lift the legs I used an old trick that works when adjustable leg "chokes" get old and lose their grip, causing the guitar to slip - insert a dowel cut to the right size inside the leg.
In this case, I needed *extra* length on the 1" O.D. legs though.
I found 7/8" dowel fits snugly (can be removed, but it IS a tight fit!) - I measured the longest practical thread length on the pedal rods and calculated I could lift it 1 1/8" without making new rods (but if you need MORE height, you can do the same thing with longer rods).
I slipped dowels cut to extend just over an inch (the foot I used got me the last 1/8") and installed 7/8"...instead of the stock 1"...rubber feet. They fit just right with just a hair of wood showing on a couple legs (less than 1/16").
Having done similar lifts, I knew the pedal rack would slip on the front legs, so I went to my trusty local hardware store (where I get 90% of my jerry-rig parts) and they cut me two 1 1/8" pieces of galvanized pipe that fit over the front legs (I took a leg with me) between the pedal rack and rings welded onto the legs - they are what keep the rack from slipping in stock configuration. Needed to file the inner parts of each end a bit - the cutting tool leaves a slight inner ring.
Now I can fit perfectly, use the volume and/or other pedals with the right knee, and unless you know what to look for the lift kit is invisible.
From the time I started measuring (including the store trip) until I was done the whole thing took 45 minutes!
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No chops, but great tone
1930's/40's Rickenbacher/Rickenbacker 6&8 string lap steels
1921 Weissenborn Style 2; Hilo&Schireson hollownecks
Appalachian, Regal & Dobro squarenecks
1959 Fender 400 9+2 B6;1960's Fender 800 3+3+2; 1948 Fender Dual-8 Professional |
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