6th string lower/2nd string raise- same or different lever?

Josh Sommovilla · Post by **Josh Sommovilla** » 30 Sep 2014 9:32 am

I currently have my 6th string whole tone lower and my second string half-tone raise on my RKL lever. I never have run into problems or situations wishing these to be separate until recently, and I thought that it was pretty common to have these changes on the same lever.

Anyway, I was messing around with the tab that Frank Freniere kindly put up for the ending of Shenandoah, and it seems impossible to do this with those changes on the same lever. So, this made me wonder- do most people have these two changes together or separate?

Josh Sommovilla · Post by **Josh Sommovilla** » 30 Sep 2014 10:35 am

More succinctly: what are the advantages/disadvantages to having these changes together or separate?

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 30 Sep 2014 10:36 am

The old school lever raised 1 to G and lowered 6 a whole.
The modern lever seems to raise 1&2 and drop 6.
When I decided I wanted that 1&2 raise, I put it on a pedal, leaving the lever just raising 1 and dropping 6.
Glad to see a practical justification.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 30 Sep 2014 10:52 am

I have the 2nd string drop from D# to D/C# and the 6th string drop from G# to F# on the same knee lever

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 30 Sep 2014 4:30 pm

I also have the 1st & 2nd string raises on a pedal. It is on a pedal next to my A pedal. I have the 6th string lower on it's own lever.

Morton Kellas · Post by **Morton Kellas** » 1 Oct 2014 5:30 am

I have used #1&2 raise on a pedal for a number of years. For my taste, putting the #1&2 raise along with the #6 lower makes the lever a bit to stiff for me, although if you don't have a 4th pedal, you just have to get used to it. I prefer to keep the RNL lever easy and smooth for the #1 half raise and the #6 whole lower, which at times I use in conjunction with the RKR lowering both E's. I adjust the levers so they both have the same smooth feel. I'm with Lane on this one.

Michael Hummel · Post by **Michael Hummel** » 1 Oct 2014 5:45 am

I prefer to keep the RNL lever easy and smooth for the #1 half raise and the #6 whole lower, which at times I use in conjunction with the RKR lowering both E's.

Okay, I'll bite

How do you activate R[K]NL and RNR at the same time? Sounds painful!

Mike

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 1 Oct 2014 6:01 am

I do it semi regularly. Pick the note first, hit the second knee with the picking hand. Easier for RKR.

Dennis Detweiler · Post by **Dennis Detweiler** » 1 Oct 2014 1:27 pm

Tie a small rope around the end of the knee lever, thread it around the guitar leg and tie it to your elbow or neck. Stick your elbow out or lean to activate!

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 1 Oct 2014 1:46 pm

I have the 1st string full tone raise, 2nd string 1/2 tone raise and the 6th string full tone lower (and split with B pedal) on my RKL. I also have the 3rd string C to B lower on the C6th neck on the same knee lever. Not stiff on my Franklin.

I also have 4 pulls on my RKR and not stiff either. On the RKR, I lower 2nd string full tone with 1/2 tone feel stop, Raise 7th string 1/2 Tone, lower 9th string 1/2 tone, and lower 2nd string 1/2 tone on the C6th neck.

The LKR lever that lowers the E's is my most used knee lever, my RKL is the 2nd most used lever.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 1 Oct 2014 1:56 pm

That's a Franklin!
I never saw a pedal steel that played as easy as a Franklin.

Jim Cooley · Post by **Jim Cooley** » 1 Oct 2014 4:58 pm

I raise 1 & 2 and lower 6 on the same knee lever on my LDG and Derby. The Derby's lever is noticeably the the smoother of the two, but no problems on either steel.

Morton Kellas · Post by **Morton Kellas** » 2 Oct 2014 6:17 am

I can handle the teasing, I meant to say LKR and I agree that it would be painful the other way around. Best wishes.

Michael Hummel · Post by **Michael Hummel** » 2 Oct 2014 2:20 pm

Morton:

Thanks for taking my poke in good nature! Usually it's me that says the strange things!

Cheers,
Mike