Two feet on pedals...

[David Wren]

This is of course highly personal as to how we all play. Since I first started, I've always had so much respect for the volume pedal, and when I designed my Carter U12 I had John put my "7" pedal on an outer LKR lever. I play a 7 pedal/7 knee lever universal setup. 2 levers on the right knee only, but 5 on the left.

Makes it easy to use with the other "6th" pedals, without leaving the volume pedal.

But, like I said, this is a personal choice.

[Willis Vanderberg]

Talking about using both feet.
When ever a discussion involving a Multi-Kord comes up folk say it is only a chord changer and can’t be played like a regular pedal steel.
If you really like the Mooney style and sound , use both feet.
I always used both feet on my eight string five pedal Multi-Kord.
Working the volume with my little finger.
I am not advocating for anyone to start on a Multi-Kord just saying what can be done with both feet and no knee levers.
This was 1954 and pedal steels we rare and expensive.

[Tim Toberer]

I don't really know exactly how a modern all-pull changer works, but does using both feet cause issues with how the changer moves? For example say you are pressing a pedal with one foot that lowers 2 strings and you press another pedal that raises one of the strings, while still holding the other pedal down. Does the new raise override the other pedal which is already pulling the finger to lower it? I ask this because this is not an issue on a pull/release changer. For clarity people who are unfamiliar with these, the lowers are released, which allows them to be pulled by other pedals without issue.

I am considering switching to an all pull design, but I am thinking this could create problems because my copedant relies heavily on the idea that a string can simultaneously be activated by multiple pedals without issue.

[Andrew Frost]

Yes Tim with pull release mechanisms the raise will override the lower. On all-pull guitars, both the lower and raise factor in, if they are engaged simultaneously on the same string. This usually results in a slightly sharp and unusable version of the note you'd think would result, since the raise creates more tension on the string and the lower cannot relax it by its usual amount. An extra rod can easily be introduced to even out the tension and 'split' the two pulls into a usable note. Some guitars have split tune screws that achieve the same result. So the two footing issue is just more combinations of pulls that one could split tune or avoid.

[Tim Toberer]

Thanks Andrew, that is what I was afraid of. I always wondered what folks were talking about with tunable splits, now I get it. In a way I am relieved because the idea of getting used to a whole new system was intimidating. It seems the "primitive" pull-release design has some advantages over the all pull system, especially for this style of playing. I have a new love for my guitar!

[Andrew Frost]

Yes, it is arguable that pull-release guitars have a quality of tone that is a little different, perhaps preferable at times even, than all-pull. Could be because the changes happen in part from the removal of interference, as in the lowering motion you describe. Whereas all-pull mechanisms are always actively involved in what the string is doing, pull-release changers offer less interference.
Of course tone is subjective and I'm not declaring this as any kind of fact per se. I don't want to misquote anyone but I read somewhere that Bruce Zumsteg felt his pull-release Zum student model aka the Stage One, had superior tone than the all-pull models he built. Quite a statement...

[Rich Ertelt]

Working on this solo, I love the part right around 2:09. I think it is AB down and then hitting C with the right foot. I've tried it, yea, I got some more practicing, lol. Great solol
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnEMOQTh27s

[Sam Inglis]

I think it is AB down and then hitting C with the right foot.

Not sure I'd want to try that on a Day setup!

[Rich Ertelt]

I think it is AB down and then hitting C with the right foot.

Not sure I'd want to try that on a Day setup!

Pretty sure he was using Emmons.

[Donny Hinson]

Rich/Sam, the E9th move "hold A & B pedals and rock on and off the C pedal" seems to interest, but perplex, a lot of players. Actually, if you have the lever that lowers the 2nd string a whole tone (and I think most of us do), you can do that same move using only two pedals, the B & C pedals! Here's how:

Hold the lever that lowers the 2nd string, then hold the B pedal down and rock on and off the C pedal while playing strings 2, 3, and 4.