passion to learn how to play this wonderful instrument

John Johnson Jr · Post by **John Johnson Jr** » 23 Aug 2015 5:53 am

Looking for help on how to play this wonderful instrument I was given this gift 8 S 10 BMI 3 petal to knee levers need directions and help I don't believe this is set up like any other pedal steel I've been around any help tips techniques how to begin to play this instrument would be greatly appreciated I wanted to own one of these since I was a little boy I'm now 42 and I have my first one someday I hope to own a Mullen D-10 thanks and God bless also is there an app for the steel guitar forum

Bud Angelotti · Post by **Bud Angelotti** » 23 Aug 2015 6:42 am

John - Post some pictures of your steel including the underside. There are folks on here that will help you.
Also - Just my opinion, sitting behind the instrument and just playing it, or trying to play it, "seat time", is the best way to learn the thing.
A painter paints, a writer writes. A steel player ...
Cheers!

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 23 Aug 2015 6:58 am

Good for you, 'ya got one!

I was given this gift 8 S 10 BMI 3 petal to knee levers need directions and help I don't believe this is set up like any other pedal steel I've been around any help tips techniques how to begin to play this instrument would be greatly appreciated

My advice would be to have another steeler (or two or three) evaluate what you have before you go making changes. Many times, steelers get so hung up on doing things one certain way that they don't find out until later that there are many ways of doing things.

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 23 Aug 2015 7:00 am

Where in Illinois are you? If you're on I -70, I can take a look at it as I pass through

John Johnson Jr · Post by **John Johnson Jr** » 23 Aug 2015 8:02 am

I will post pictures here in just a minute

John Johnson Jr · Post by **John Johnson Jr** » 23 Aug 2015 8:20 am

[img]http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/us ... .jpg[/img]

John Johnson Jr · Post by **John Johnson Jr** » 23 Aug 2015 8:22 am

I just wanted to say thanks to you all for your assistance it is much appreciated and for the record I live in Auburn Illinois exit 82 off of i-55 I will also be attending Scotty's steel guitar convention Labor Day weekend

Jon Light · Post by **Jon Light** » 23 Aug 2015 8:35 am

It's hard to see, John, but it appears that the pedals are hooked up properly (conventionally). The knees are another story. It LOOKS like the left knee lowers the 2nd string and the right knee raises the 4th and lowers the 9th.
But instead of me trying to read it, could you describe what they are actually doing?

John Johnson Jr · Post by **John Johnson Jr** » 23 Aug 2015 8:55 am

Left knee drops second string right knee drops 4th string third pedal pulls fourth and fifth string second panel pulls 3rd and 6th 1st pedal pulls 5th string

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 23 Aug 2015 8:59 am

Those are normal pulls for knees, but only half of each knee.

Jon Light · Post by **Jon Light** » 23 Aug 2015 9:05 am

If the A pedal is not raising the 10th string, the tuning nut needs adjustment. The pull rod is there.

John Johnson Jr · Post by **John Johnson Jr** » 23 Aug 2015 9:10 am

What is the a pedal and what do you call the pedals I guess you are saying they are ABC and neither of the knees are doing anything to the 9th and the 10th string isn't moving either with any pedals

Jon Light · Post by **Jon Light** » 23 Aug 2015 9:33 am

On your Emmons style pedal setup (you do not need to get into a discussion of Emmons vs. Day setup---yours is Emmons), with the guitar standing on it feet and with you sitting at the steel, the A pedal is the pedal farthest to the left. The pedals on an E9 steel are called A, B & C. Your pedals, looking at the rods from the cross shafts to the changer, are correct.

I cannot encourage you strongly enough to get together with someone who knows what's going on. In your inexperience, you could potentially dig yourself into a deep hole trying to figure out what is right & wrong with this steel. A little help will get you off on the right foot.