Difference Between Pull/Release and Push/Pull?

[Joe Breeden]

I know nothing about Pedal Steel.. What is the difference between Pull/release and Push/pull systems. Thanks in advance for your help. Joe

[Ian Rae]

Very, very simply -

Pull-release - the pedal action pulls the string to raise its pitch, and when it's released it returns under its own tension.

Push-pull (which is really pull-push) - a double mechanism with a pedal working as above and a knee lever working in the opposite direction. Being able to raise and lower the same string was a major development.

Both systems have been superceded on pro instruments by the much more flexible all-pull system, but many consider that the old methods were tonally superior.

[Donny Hinson]

In addition to what Ian said, the pull/release guitars have a changer with one piece fingers; it's a simple lever design. Push/pull and all-pull guitars have a changer with a finger composed of two or more pieces; a system of compound levers.

[Ian Rae]

Yes, and it's that single solid piece of metal that gives the pull-release its fine tone.

[Ian Worley]

A push-pull changer is simply a pull-release changer where the "release" is achieved by "pushing" the lowering stop

[Ian Rae]

It was the next logical step. On the pull-release, the lower note (the release) is tuned with a screw. On the push-pull that stop is replaced with the movable second finger so that it can be user-operated.