The Steel Guitar Forum

Hello, I am a newbie to the Forum and need some info on reversing A and B pedals
I didn't know if it was just exchanging the push pull rods or is there more to it.

If you are talking about changing from Emmons setup (A,B,C pedals) to a Day setup C,B,A, pedals), it's not that difficult, DEPENDING on what guitar you have and how mechanically inclined you are. If it's one of the more recent all pull guitars, it's not bad. If it is actually a push pull (you mentioned push pull rods in your post) it will be more difficult, again depending on your ability.

By the way, if you also have a C pedal, you really don't want to swap around A & B. The B pedal needs to be next to the C pedal. If you don't have a C pedal, then no problem. To switch from Emmons to Day setup, you switch A & C and leave B in the middle. Should just be a matter of moving he existing rods to the new changes. You may have to adjust the amount of pedal travel.

Tell us what guitar you have and someone will be able to help you in detail.

The mechanics is not a problem, I started out with a steel that A and B was reversed then I traded for a Sho Bud and took a course from Jeff Newman and was talking to him about the pedals way back when and he told me his pedals were reversed. Not a big deal just thought if it was easy, I would try it, anyway, I didn't know if anybody switched the Sho Bud pedals, and no they are not push pull rods. Just aluminum pedal rods with return springs

When Jeff talks about his pedals being reversed, he is not talking about A & B, but is talking about A & C. B is the same.

Jeff's 3 pedals are (Day setup):
[tab]
C B A

F#
D#
G#............A
E.......F#
B.......C#.........C#
G#............A
F#
E
D
B..................C#[/tab]

To "reverse" them would be (Emmons setup):
[tab]
A B C

F#
D#
G#............A
E...................F#
B......C#...........C#
G#............A
F#
E
D
B......C#
[/tab]

If you have a Sho~Bud, it should just be a matter of changing the rods around, and assuming either a rack & barrel, or two hole puller with barrels, if the rods as they are placed now are long enough, just place barrels where you need to make the changes work on the other pedal. If they aren't long enough, you will need to switch the rods around. Then adjust the barrels and you should be good to go with the possibility that you may have to lengthen or shorten the pedal travel. If you have a permanent or Maverick, it will be different, or not easily done (the permanent is called that for a good reason).

OK thanks for the info, it makes since now.

while on the subject of pull rods ,,i have found that a good, cheap and easy to adjust rod is alumnimmmm welding rods avaliabe at any local weld shop. they come in about 3' lengths and any collers will fit nicely,,they also bend easley for a 90 degree connection,,just bend them slow,,ken

OPPS,,,I forgot to mention they can also be threaded and put togather with a 6-32 internal threaded spacer and a lock nut ,,,maks for easy adjustments ,,,ken

If you change to the Day setup you will have to also consider the knee levers. You may have to change some of those. e.g. with the Emmons setup, normally the LKL raises the E's, if you go the Day setup you need that on the LKR lever, etc.

Jack makes a good point. If your E raises and lowers are on your left knee, as mine are, you will have to switch them around also.