Knee lever question

[Michael May]

Greetings. I am having knee levers installed on my PSG and would appreciate some information about the lever that raises the first and seconds strings to G# and E and the sixth string to F#. Is that a change that is frequently used? Also, how is that lever used - does it give you any particular options for chords or licks? I'm still learning my way around this amazing instrument, so any help is appreciated.

[Pete Burak]

I have heard this lever is called "The Franklin Lever" (maybe change the title of this thread to Franklin Lever?).
I just installed it last week and the string-6 lower is great for twangin' up the Open Position.
If you combine it with your E lowers, it gives you the Five-chord, at the One-chord open-position.
I look forward to seeing other responces.

This is the open-position G-fret3 version of the typical 10AB Pedal Steel lick.
I am calling this Lever the Franklin Lever "FL"
[tab]
4-E 2-3
5-B 3-3A 3 3 3
6-G# 3 3-3FL 3-3FL 3FL--3
7-F#
8-E 3 3
[/tab]

Release that very last 3FL-3 very slowly to get the max twang factor!

Here is the same lick in the G=10A Position:
[tab]
1-F# 10
2-D#
3-G# 10-10B
4-E 10 10 10 10
5-B 10A 10A-10 10A-10 10--10A
6-G# 10B 10B
[/tab]

[Mathew Peluso]

I have the string 1 and 2 raise on my RKL but recently moved my G# to F# lower over to my vertical. I did this so I could add a F# to G# raise on string 7 to RKL as well. The idea was to keep string 6 unaffected when I want to raise my F#'s for quicker phrases. I can also do a lot of the string 1 raise licks at the lower register. I do miss the the E lower/G# lower 5 chord position, but I just pick strings 4 and 6 then slide back two frets with E's raised if I need that voicing. I made these changes to make the Franklin pedal work on a new steel I have on order. I'm not sure if I'll end up liking the Franklin pedal but it makes more sense to me if the lowers are split between a pedal and a lever. Either way, I'm liking this new copedent and I think it's going to stay.

[Greg Cutshaw]

Lots of examples here with tab that you can listen to:

http://www.gregcutshaw.com/Tab/E9%201st ... 20Tab.html

I opted to raise the 7th string a whole tone instead of lowering the 6th string a whole tone. YMMV but I feel it is more versatile.

[Michael May]

Great information. Thanks guys.