The Steel Guitar Forum

This is another "newbie" question:

In adjusting the pedals on my BMI I noticed there are extra holes in each pedal, four in all. I'm assuming these are for height adjustment, also? Or travel adjustment? Thought I'd better ask before I monkey with them.

Travel adjustments...harder or softer pedal action.

Thanks for the reply, Jim.

I have watched some players and it seems to me their pedal travel is a lot shorter than mine. Can you tell me what harder or softer means? I guess if you want shorter travel you move the rod forward, right?

Larry Jackson wrote: Can you tell me what harder or softer means? I guess if you want shorter travel you move the rod forward, right?

It's basic leverage, Larry.
If you want a lever to get the same result but in a shorter throw, it'll get harder to move, and if you want to make it easier (softer) to press, but still move the B strings to C#, it'll increase the pedal throw.
"Forward" vs. "Backwards" is relative, so I'll say that if you want a shorter travel (but still moving the changer the same distance) you'll move the rod closer to the pedal bar, but it will make the pedal harder (as in stiffer under the foot).
Make sense?

Pink hole will yield longer pedal throw, easier, softer action. Blue hole will yield shorter, stiffer pedal throw. Before getting involved in this, consider if you are willing to potentially alter the relationships between the pedals--do the A,B & C pedals bottom out at the right time, relative to one another, eg?

I question the wisdom of a beginner customizing a steel, deciding how he wants it before knowing what's ok, normal, desirable. Diagnosing a problem that may not exist has the potential to make the instrument tougher to play or even in need of expert readjustment, robbing oneself of valuable playing/learning time.
It is, of course your guitar and your judgement and the forum is here to help.

Another thing to consider, moving the rod to the hole marked with the blue arrow will also move it closer to your foot while playing which may or may not create a problem. The center hole would appear to me to be a viable compromise for the present.

Sho~Buds came with two holes in the pedal.
The different holes can also be used to "time" the pulls, especially the A & B pedals.

Don Fritche, Builder of BMI'S, Told me and I quote;
Leave the studs in the Middle Of the pedal Lee, thats where they belong. At least on BMI'S. Just
passing on some information. Tennessee Lee

Thanks for the info, guys. I seriously doubt I'll have any need to change where the rods are. I mainly just wondered what the holes were for.