Basic questions from newbie

Stephen Williams · Post by **Stephen Williams** » 27 Jun 2013 5:30 pm

1. Can one raise a note 3 semi-tones ever? I seem to only get 2.

2. Where the rod from the changer meets the cross- shaft (which then hooks up to the floor pedal rod), there are nuts each side of the shaft. Is one for raises and the other for lowers? Sorry if I got the nomenclature all wrong. I have a Regson but nobody has ever heard of it.

Bill Moore · Post by **Bill Moore** » 27 Jun 2013 5:55 pm

You might go to this web page: http://steelguitar.com/
and do some reading. There is lots of general info, and explanations of how these things work. Good luck.

Chuck Thompson · Post by **Chuck Thompson** » 27 Jun 2013 7:48 pm

Stephen I don't know anything about the brand of your guitar. If it is tuned to somewhat standard E9th you can get 3 semitone interval on string 4 if you lower it to D# on a lever and raise to F# on a pedal or other lever. Also if you have half step lower on strings 5 and 10 and whole step raise on a pedal you have another 3 semitone interval. Same with string 6 and or 2 if you have a whole step lower and a half step raise.

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 27 Jun 2013 7:51 pm

It sounds like you have a pull-release guitar. Posting pics of the underside might help.
There are people who raise a minor third, but it's not very common. Paul F has a major third drop. Most of us only use 1 or 2 semitone moves.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 28 Jun 2013 7:48 am

Stick with the standard changes...unless you're a very advanced player. Yes, all of us have those "fun moves" we'd like to be able to do, but learn what is there first!

Frank Montmarquet · Post by **Frank Montmarquet** » 28 Jun 2013 8:58 am

On a U12 a 3 semitone raise on the 9th from B to D is common.

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 28 Jun 2013 9:55 am

I have seen a B to D raise on string 5. If I had an extra pedal or lever, I would try that. I have a solo I do where I have to play strings 3 & 5 (fret 8 - key of F but playing against the 5 chord at that point) no pedals, and do a slide up 5 frets and for the first 3, I have to press the A pedal and slant the bar to get a 7th on string 5 and then straighten it out by the time I get to the 13th fret. If I could raise string 5 3 semi-tones, I wouldn't have to do that gosh-awful slant. If I am not 100% that night, it doesn't come off well.

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 28 Jun 2013 1:29 pm

I don't know anything about that Regson guitar, but I believe Paul Franklin raised string 6 one and a half tones from g# to b on his Franklin at one time. I don't know if he still does.

Stephen Williams · Post by **Stephen Williams** » 28 Jun 2013 6:20 pm

Thanks for all replies. I really appreciate it.
I'll post pic when i get a chance. It seems that one would want the 3 semitones in order to play blues or rock.

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 28 Jun 2013 6:42 pm

The last few years I've played more blues than country. Never missed not having one. Although I don't find a lot of use for levers F and X.