Information on the X pedal?

[Pat Dalberg]

Howdy all,

I'm a complete and utter newbie to the PSG, but I'm looking to own one and get to playing in the near future. I've decided I'll be going with a fairly traditional D-10, and I'd like some information about something I thought I saw being discussed in these forums - an 'X' pedal.

I'm under the impression that this works on the E9 neck like the ABC pedals, but what string(s) does it work on, and what does it change the string(s) to? I understand there aren't really any 'standard' codependants, just some commonly used ones, so I'd like to hear about any variations that folks are using on this 'X' pedal.

In addition, I'd like to know how useful this would be to someone who is just starting out on the instrument. My goal is to get out there playing for audiences as soon as I can. If I'm playing mostly trad. and alt. country covers do I 'need' this?

My thanks in advance to any all who can help me out with info and opinions about this.

[Nicholas Dedring]

There's what's referred to as the X-Lever, by some folks. That's to drop the 5th and 10th strings by a half step. B to Bb. I don't know that there's something I've heard called the "X Pedal"... maybe that franklin thing, droping 5, 6 and 10 a full step or something?

[Earnest Bovine]

No, you don't need it is a beginner. It is useful, but not in my top 5 most important knee levers.