The Steel Guitar Forum

I don't know if anyone has seen this yet but this is a cool modifucation....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNMvxYqXw8I

Herold,
Very interesting, I'd like to more about it and his set-up. Copedant?

Dick, I'm sure John Davis on YouTube could get that info and post it. In the video you can hear him talk a little about his setup but not too much detail..

Thanks Herold, maybe John will ring in here and take a little of the mystery out of it.

After downloading the video and listening to it again and again, I have come to believe that what the heel pedal does, is to raise the E string most would have as the 8th string up a fourth; E-to-A.
This is where it seems to create that eerie unison with his B-pedaled sting G#-to-A which most will have as the 6th string.
The player also mentions, he, like most, can then also lower his E's half, which extends his total bending range to a b5th.
As his interlocutor points out, it's quite surprising how well it seems to stay in tune given the abusive pull.

... J-D.

Sorry guys, I can`t help much so I have sent the link to Barry so I am sure he will chime in His tuning has always been a mystery to me......

It sounds like it raises the sixth string from F# to B (the steel is in D9 tuning)

What I can tell you is yes it does stay in tune and its amazing how quickly that Barry has incorperated the move into his playing and how smoothly it all works.....

Thanks for chiming in John, we all look forward to Barry's comments..

Hi Guys
As Richard says, it raises my sixth string (F#-B)two and half tones to unison with the pedalled fifth string. I also flatten my 6th a semi-tone on a knee lever so the total movement covers 3 tones. I play a D9th. I use Ernie Ball strings with a plain 22. It retains it's tuning perfectly.
Cheers
Barry

Hey Barry, could you post a few close-up pics of your heel pedal? there are a few of us who would like to look at the design.. That has so many possibilities..

That heel pedal is way cool. I also like the custom fretboard on the D9th (front) neck. I believe that Russ Hicks has a tone and a half raise on his sixth string. But a two and a half tone raise is crazy.
TC