Pedal Adjustment

Instruments, mechanical issues, copedents, techniques, etc.

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Donald Hall
Posts: 29
Joined: 6 May 2007 6:42 pm
Location: Ontario, Canada

Pedal Adjustment

Post by Donald Hall »

Really having pedal problems. Should pedal 1 & 2 travel the same distance? Should they be the same height when they not engaged?
Thanks Don Hall
Clyde Mattocks
Posts: 2992
Joined: 26 May 2005 12:01 am
Location: Kinston, North Carolina, USA

Post by Clyde Mattocks »

Really the player's preference. Some like them to start and bottom out together while others like them to follow the arc which the foot is traveling, depending on Emmons or Day setup.
LeGrande II, Nash. 112, Harlow Dobro
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Lane Gray
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Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: Topeka, KS

Post by Lane Gray »

It's very rare to find them traveling the same distance.
Most of us have them set to bottom out about the same point, and resting with the A pedal a bit higher (because it has farther to go).
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects
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Ronnie Boettcher
Posts: 749
Joined: 23 Nov 2007 2:33 pm
Location: Brunswick Ohio, USA

Post by Ronnie Boettcher »

I have my A pedal a little higher than the B pedal. This on Emmons set up. My reason for it is: when I use the A pedal, and the LKL lever, at the same time, I bend my ankle so I do not hit the B pedal. If both pedals are the same height, in the up position, and I rock the A pedal, my foot slightly hits the B pedal, and distorts the sound coming out of the B pedal strings. And yes, I have both of them finish on the same level, when both are pressed. My ankle does not bend as much as I got older. Also it works like Lane said in the previous note. The A pedal travels a wee bit farther. Ronnie
Sho-Bud LDG, Martin D28, Ome trilogy 5 string banjo, Ibanez 4-string bass, dobro, fiddle, and a tubal cain. Life Member of AFM local 142
Sidney Ralph Penton
Posts: 549
Joined: 21 Jun 2004 12:01 am
Location: Moberly, Missouri, USA

foot pedals

Post by Sidney Ralph Penton »

i have my foot pedals set about 1.75 inches off the ground. they travel about 1 inch when applied. so when they hit bottom they are about 3/4 inch off the floor. for me if they are too high its hard to play and not use any pedals. i would say its player prefference on how high the pedals are set. i like mine lower it just seems to work better with me. thanks sid
Donny Hinson
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Joined: 16 Feb 1999 1:01 am
Location: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

Re: Pedal Adjustment

Post by Donny Hinson »

Donald Hall wrote:Really having pedal problems. Should pedal 1 & 2 travel the same distance? Should they be the same height when they not engaged?
Thanks Don Hall
IMHO, no and no. There shouldn't be a huge disparity, but then again, they should not be the same, either. I always advise players with supposed "problems" to have another player try the guitar before they go making changes. In my 50+ years of playing, I have seen countless guitars made less playable by owners who were "just trying to improve things".
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