Pedals uneven

Matt Milia · Post by **Matt Milia** » 7 May 2006 11:18 am

Hey everybody,
I'm 20 years old, new to the pedal steel, and this is my first post. I'm playing a GFI student model which is serving me well. However, the pedals are starting to lose their uniformity in that the C has to be pushed way down into the carpet to fully change the note. The A and B pedals require much less push, and can't even reach the floor if I try. The pedal rods are all the same length. It's probably an easy solution but I just don't know.

Larry Strawn · Post by **Larry Strawn** » 7 May 2006 11:26 am

Hi Matt,
Glad to have you on the Forum, I think you'll realy enjoy it here.

As far as pedal adjustment, I'm sure it is only that, an adjustment, but better to let some one more familiar with the GFI give advice on fixing it.

Once again welcome!!

Larry

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"Fessy" S/D 12, 8/6 Hilton Pedal, Sessions 400 Ltd. Home Grown E/F Rack
"ROCKIN COUNTRY"

Mark Herrick · Post by **Mark Herrick** » 7 May 2006 3:57 pm

I have found that playing on carpet is next to impossible. The pile plus the pad underneath equal way to much mush to try and deal with. I much prefer a hardwood floor. Or you could do what I did and get a couple of 2ft x 4ft pieces of 3/4" plywood, give them a few coats of polyurethane and use them over the carpet.

I don't think your pedal travel should change unless your pedal stops are slipping; and then you would notice some serious tuning problems.

Before you try to adjust the pedal travel, I would put the guitar on a hard floor surface where the pedal travel will always be consistant.

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[This message was edited by Mark Herrick on 07 May 2006 at 05:00 PM.]

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 7 May 2006 4:20 pm

While Mark's solution is certainly effective, I have two or three trips already at load-in time and don't really want to carry around more stuff than I already do. What I've done is to adjust the pedal height to bottom out at about the thickness of my fingers (1/2" or so) off the floor. I've found that works pretty well on most carpet. Most carpeted stages don't have plushy pile carpet and that seems to allow enough for a variety of surfaces. I have run into the occasional room where that doesn't work well and resorted to slipping small ashtrays under each leg. That seemed to work too.

What I hate is FLATBED TRUCKS or any stage surface that isn't regular.

As for the RELATIVE height of the pedals, that's kind of a matter of personal preference. You'll see some folks with their A pedal and sometimes their C pedal way higher than the B pedal. Mine are more or less even -- whatever you choose you'll get used to it. It IS important to leave some space underneath the point where the pedal bottoms out to allow for carpet or other surfaces.

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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
My CD's: 'I've Got Friends in COLD Places' - 'Pedal Steel Guitar'
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S/D-12 6x6, 1984 Sho-Bud S/D-12 7x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps

J Hill · Post by **J Hill** » 7 May 2006 6:50 pm

I've never been too happy with my pedal adjustment, its like the 'C' is a little too low or something. I'd think if 'A' and 'B' are the right height, then 'C' could be adjusted to the same height as the other two. I've been a little lazy at trying to figure it out. I simply must to that...one of these days.

Wayne D. Clark · Post by **Wayne D. Clark** » 7 May 2006 7:27 pm

Hay Matt welcome to the FORUM.

HI Larry B

The way I solved the carpet issue, (I have my Steel set up in the living room), that way I practice more, but the carpet was giving me fits. So I did what Mark did set it up on a wood platform. I won't go into detail other than to say it works fine. As for the Pedals, presently my A,B, & C are even. I tried the A high, but when I would pivit my foot "A" was two high so I put them back to even, put my foot over the "B" Pedal and pivit my foot to catch the A, AB B & BC Pedal, Took a little time to get it worked out but it works for me. Like Larry B. said "What ever you choose you'll get useto it" Matt IT WILL COME. THE KEY IS PRACTICE.

WAYNE
MSA D10 8/2

Russ Little · Post by **Russ Little** » 7 May 2006 8:11 pm

I have had the carpet problem is some churches
I carry four plexiglass coasters, bought at
local dollar store in my case.
Takes care of the problem.
Russ

richard burton · Post by **richard burton** » 7 May 2006 9:34 pm

I have my pedals uneven when they are up, but level when pressed.
I think there is a problem of bell crank slippage re the original post.

Al Terhune · Post by **Al Terhune** » 7 May 2006 9:48 pm

Matt: Unloosen the bolt that's atop the piece at the bottom of the rod that goes into the pedal You can either then turn that fitted piece clockwise a few turns to pull the pedal up from the floor, or counterclockwise to put your pedal closer to the floor. I find it best to make it so all three pedals stop at the same point (so that your foot is even horizontally to the floor when on any one or two of the pedals), but this will require your C pedal to be a bit higher since it has a longer pull for the fourth string. Works for me. GFI is great. Once you get going on your student, call Gene up to talk about getting a pro model. That's excactly what I did -- start with a GFI student then went to his professional.

Al

Ronnie McIntosh · Post by **Ronnie McIntosh** » 8 May 2006 11:58 am

check your pedal rods they should be # 1 2 3 if you have them in the wrong oder it will change your pedals trust me on this (lol).

Tim Jones of Kansas · Post by **Tim Jones of Kansas** » 8 May 2006 2:37 pm

Hey! Another 20 year old!

Us youngsters are catching up.

Tim Jones
~)Fender 1000 and NOTHIN' else(~

Willis Vanderberg · Post by **Willis Vanderberg** » 9 May 2006 5:42 am

I have my pedals set almost touching the floor. I carry two small 3" X 3 " pieces of 3/8th plywood in my seat. If I am setting up on carpet I put these under the front legs.Work good for me

Old Bud

Wayne D. Clark · Post by **Wayne D. Clark** » 9 May 2006 6:31 am

Hay Willis, I like your solution and that of Russ Little's, Think I will give them a try, then I won't have to carry a "Plank" around. I have enough to carry as it is! Some one always has a better Idea, That's why we have PSG's.

Wayne
MSA D10 8/2

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 9 May 2006 6:41 am

Some of the places have gone smokeless now but I remember steelers talking about placing those small ash trays under the legs of their pedal steels to raise them off the carpet.

Charles Davidson · Post by **Charles Davidson** » 9 May 2006 3:35 pm

Welcome Matt,from Alabama,Before you do anything,check out what Ronnie said,your rods SHOULD be numbered.Each time you set your guitar up make SURE to always [after you get them adjusted]to put the right rod to the right pedal,I don't know if your guitar has the rods marked or not,if not just mark them with fingernail polish or tape.

Joe Naylor · Post by **Joe Naylor** » 9 May 2006 4:23 pm

Just go to WalMart or one of those and buy 4 wooden coasters. Then when you pack up they fit easy in the pack-a-seat.

I have been doing this since I started playing in my living room on carpet. Works great.

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Joe Naylor, Avondale, AZ (Phoenix)Desert Rose Guitar, Life Member of the Arizona Carport Pickers Association

Buck Grantham · Post by **Buck Grantham** » 10 May 2006 7:24 am

The C pedal has to be adjusted up higher than the A and B pedas so that they can all three bottom out at about the same level. Just bring the C pedal up some more.

Ron Sodos · Post by **Ron Sodos** » 10 May 2006 11:41 am

I don't know anything about GFI but i own 3 steels. A Zum, A Fessy, and an old ShoBud. I adjust pedal height based on my foot. The A pedal and the B pedal are different. The C pedal is also different based on the angle my foot depresses the pedals. Of the 8 pedals i have they are all different. Of course the A & B pedals and the F & G pedals are clese in height because they are depressed at the same time much of the time. But the other pedals are upo and down dramatically based on the angle of my foot. I aslso keep all of them pretty high so mcarpeting is not a problem at all. They bottom out very comfortably.