adjusting the "travel" of the pedals

[Justin Gaynor]

First of, please bear with me as i am relatively new to the instrument, and their aren't a whole lot of steel players around central jersey (at least that i know of) so i am pretty terrible with using correct terminology.

I own a GFI S-10 expo, and the main issue i am having is that the C Pedal "travels" much farther than both the A and B pedals. In other words, it takes a lot more time/effort to fully depress the pedal to the point where it stops and the notes are in tune.

1. Is this normal, or is it entirely a matter of preference?
2. I see screws that will likely adjust this, but i don't really know how to get at them to make the adjustment. Any help?
3. Anybody know anybody in jersey or nyc who does good work on pedal steels?

I am also having a problem with my B pedal. It is SUPER sensitive. I feel like if a fly landed on it my 3 and 6 strings would go a little sharp!

Thank you for any help you can offer. I really want to understand how this instrument works mechanically so I don't end up posting here everyday!

[Ray Anderson]

Hello Justin, I too have an Expo S-10 as my first guitar and had the same question you asked. Your peddles are fine, and as for being easy to apply that is a blessing. As you progress you will learn that is to your advantage. You will have to learn to rock your foot on the A pedal, but it will come. That is a great guitar to learn on, I still have mine and play it often. Happy Steelin' Ray

[Jerry Meek]

There should be a screw adjustment underneath the guitar that sets the pedal stop where you want as long as it will pull the strings to pitch. If your changer where the pull rods go thru have more than one hole on the raise side which should be toward the top of the guitar you can put the pull rods closest to the pivot point and the pedal will be more firm but you will have to retune the effected pedal.Good luck hope this helps.

[Justin Gaynor]

thanks for the help!

[Oliver Samland]

Hey Justin, you'll find lots of useful information on http://www.steelguitar.com
here is what is says about adjustment:
http://www.steelguitar.com/adjustments.html#
if you are uncertain about the right terminology it also is a good place to look it up.
best,
Ollie