B's to Bb on LKV with E Lower on LKR

[Michael Hutchison]

Wondering if somebody could comment on this combination of levers. Assuming a guitar that is well adjusted, how challenging is it to operate and/or release the LKR while keeping the vertical pressed up?

I'm interested in the application of this for b0b's chord scale as seen here:

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopi ... 18796de940

Thanks

[Gerald Shaw]

Michael, my guitar has the same setup. Those moves are not too difficult. Having the A and B pedals depressed makes the vertical a little easier to use. Using the vertical by itself is a bit tougher. Pedaling onto both the A and engaging the vertical, and getting the half lower note seamlessly is hard for me. Verticals are not my favorite lever, but they can five you a lot of options (as the example you linked shows)

[Brint Hannay]

It might depend on which way your vertical is oriented, where it's placed in relation to the LKR and/or how long it is. It takes more effort to hold the vertical pressed up if your knee is close to the pivot point of the lever.

[Lane Gray]

It is easy once you get used to it. It is also easy to release one and engage the other.

[Mike Perlowin]

Having the A and B pedals depressed makes the vertical a little easier to use. Using the vertical by itself is a bit tougher.

I agree, but I have the 1st and 7th string raises (F# to G) there. IMHO, the B to Bb change belongs on a regular knee lever.

The change works well in conjunction with both the E string raises and lowers. Clearly this is only possible when the E raises and lowers are on the same knee, and the B-Bb change is on the other.


The O.P.is assuming that the E-raises and lowers are on different knees. This allows a smoother transition between the 2, but at a cost of not having the B string lower available everywhere it can be used.

This is one of the reasons I have the E string raises and lowers on the same knee.

[Lane Gray]

Mike, combining E raises and B lowers hasn't occurred to me. Lying here in the bunk, I'm not seeing how they work together (but I rarely use use my F lever). Care to elaborate on how?
I have the A# lever on the same knee as my E string levers, and it really isn't difficult to drop the Bs with or without the E lowers (and is dead easy to release one and engage the other, do it all the time).

[Brint Hannay]

Mike, it seems to me the O.P. is assuming the E lowers are on the left knee (LKR), which would mean the E raises and lowers on the same knee, as I don't think I've ever heard of a copedent with the E lowers on the left knee and raises on the right knee.

I stand by my earlier comment: in my experience, it matters if the vertical is direct-pull (rotating clockwise) or reversing (rotating counter-clockwise)--a couple of my guitars have come one way, a couple the other--and the placement of the levers relative to each other. If, to get a combination, you have to cram your knee up into the angle formed by the axle end of a vertical and the axle end of a side lever, it can't be described as easy--you have minimum leverage on both levers.

[Mike Perlowin]

Lane, the combination of the 5th string lowered to Bb and the 4th raised to F forms a perfect 5th between the 2 strings. It has all sorts of possibilities.

Here’s a example. Activate both levers, then slide the bar down 2 frets, while releasing the B-Bb lower and pressing the A pedal. The 5the string will raiss in pitch while the 4the lowers.

Another: go to the C# position, (A pedal and F raise) and kick in the B-Bb lever. You get the same minor chord that you get 1 fret back with the B and C pedals. Sometimes it’s better to make it this way, as you don’t have to take your foot off the A pedal.

[Michael Hutchison]

I have both E's on the left.