Kalima

Rick Vizzi · Post by **Rick Vizzi** » 12 Nov 2017 4:22 pm

How can this be set up? It has 6 strings and 4 pedals.

Rick Vizzi · Post by **Rick Vizzi** » 12 Nov 2017 4:29 pm

(The screws in the changer are backed out all the way so they are not pulling or releasing. I brought them up on the 2nd pedal to see if it worked. It does, but i stopped there because i dont know anything about it. The music store is selling it as a lap steel but as you can plainly see it hss pedals) i'd like to set it up for them

Jim Sliff · Post by **Jim Sliff** » 12 Nov 2017 10:59 pm

You may need to back out the nuts underneath the guitar where the cables exit the body.

I have a manual somewhere, but it's not a huge amount of help. the bolts that go in the top of the changer set raises and lowers for each string. I've fond them limited to half-step changes in most case - but it varies a bit depending on string gage.

They are not good for playing "pedal steel". The pedal action is too stiff and m,uchy. Bu they work great as intended - as "chord changers", where the pedals shift the instrument to different open tunings. Just not practical for "moving notes" - at least not very fast.

It's actually called a "Multi-Kord" made by the Harlin Brothers.

Rick Vizzi · Post by **Rick Vizzi** » 13 Nov 2017 10:14 am

Yeah it has an emblem on it that says multi chord.im assuming it was used for Hawaiian and or swing. It's presently tuned to some 6th chord. Didn't spend a lot of time with it not thinking of buying it but i did plug it in and it sounded pretty retro cool. I wonder if their price is in the ballpark

Jim Sliff · Post by **Jim Sliff** » 14 Nov 2017 7:27 pm

It's probably tuned to A6 (at least that would be typical)

The price is actually low for such an original looking, complete guitar. I commonly see them in the $6-800 range.

The big question is - can you really use one? They're not a collectable, although they have a funky/cool factor - and they DO sound good as long as nobody has monkeyed with the electronics. That would be very obvious as the pickup winding is held in the middle of the assembly by its own magnets!

If you play - or want to play - lap/console steel in different tunings they can be quite a bit of fun.

Stephen Williams · Post by **Stephen Williams** » 14 Nov 2017 10:07 pm

I magine you could attach the cables to the pedals a bit further towards your foot. that will reduce the pedal travel. It will be harder to push though.

Rick Vizzi · Post by **Rick Vizzi** » 15 Nov 2017 4:13 am

Yeah i thought the price was low but it's probably more of a historical relic than anything wouldn't be practical it's a bit wobbly. When i plugged it in and heard it i immediately thought of Hank Williams.