Franklin Pedal & B-Bb lever

[Michael Hutchison]

Here's my setup:

LKV lowers the B strings a half step. Split (using the two rod method) to a C note with the A pedal.

P4 lowers 5&6 to A & F#, respectively.

I was pleasantly surprised to realize that when the P4 is engaged, the LKV actually raises string 5 back up to a Bb (ETA: in this context better known as A#, good call Lane!), because of the raise rod associated with the split. So with the 5,6,8 or 4,5,6 grips, I can get a II7 chord with the PF + LKV, resolving to a V7 by moving my knee down and to the right (d lever).

I suppose I'm not the first person to find this but I thought it was neat.


I don't know if it would work this way on every guitar, but on my MSA, in order to tune the C note on the A+LKV split, I have to have the lower rod on the lever pull the string slightly flatter than an A, and then bring it back up to Bb with an extra raise rod when the LKV is used alone. So when the LKV is engaged, that finger doesn't care whether the PF pedal is down or not, it gives an in-tune Bb regardless.

[Lane Gray]

Hmmmm. Gonna have to rig up that split. Hadn't thought of that.
Point of order: the 3 of F# is A#. When a neck is tuned in E (or just about any chord with a shared key signature), it hurts the brain to use flats.

[Michael Hutchison]

Point of order: the 3 of F# is A#. When a neck is tuned in E (or just about any chord with a shared key signature), it hurts the brain to use flats.

Heh, that's fair!