The Steel Guitar Forum

I recently inquired about having an S10 built with 5 pedals and 5 knee levers and was told “no way – it gets too crowded under there”. I guess 4 pedals and 5 knee levers works but not 5 & 5. So I’m asking anyone who feels they have a reasonably qualified opinion if this really is asking too much? Obviously you can do it easily enough with an SD10 or 1 ½ wide style so your views may well help me decide how to proceed since I really want to wind up with 5&5. What say You?

It should fit. My first guitar was a ZB with 5 and 5. I'm sure there are many more out there. If a builder says he can't do it, look for one that can. This first guy obviously didn't want your business.

Given that they'll make universal 12s with 8&7, I'd say that you CAN do it. I don't think too many makers would balk at 5&5.
If you wanted clustered knees (say 7 knees), then I could TOTALLY understand a builder saying "not on a single body", because the locations of the actual levers and brackets have to contend for space with pulls and bellcranks.

I play an S-8 with 5+5. It's smaller than any S-10 I've seen, but I wouldn't say that the undercarriage is crowded. I guess it depends on the builder.

All great replies. Thanks! I may well look for a used S10 and expand it to a 5&5 configuration and it just seems totally doable to me. Great point about 12 string universals, Lane, and b0b I had forgotten you have an s8 with 5&5. A Desert Rose if I remember correctly.

Gary I don't know who told you you can't
I just built Lenny Amaral an S~10 with 5 pedals and 6 knee levers. And there is only 5-3/4" to work with.
But it can be done. Here's proof.

Been playing ShoBuds and Excels with 6/5 for years..still room for more...Larry

It may depend on the builder and his hardware design. No problem on my old MSA Classic S-10, with knee levers fastened to the siderails. If they are attached to the body, it could get crowded.

My Davis/Coop S-10. There's still room! 3 and 6. You just gotta be clever!

Dang Fred. That is one fine looking undercarriage.

I've seen most brands of steel guitars, either in person or on here, and I don't think I have ever seen a guitar that couldn't handle a 5 & 5 setup on an S10.

It's a breeze! Call Gary Rittenberry..... He built me an s-10 with 7 pedals. And 5 levers. And it is a killer guitar.

Fred that is a fine looking piece of work indeed! Between Fred Justice, Rittenberry. Desert Rose, and others I have a lot to choose from but it does look like the budget is going to dictate a used guitar at his point.

A keyless guitar would have a bit less room underneath. I had Bill at Williams build me a D-10 keyless with 9+8. Looking at the undercarriage it was hard to believe he agreed to do it.

I put 7 and 7 on a compact, custom S12 once. It was tight, but I did it.

Here is a photo of a left-handed MSA S-10 that I worked on a while back for Chris Gabriel, here in Portland. It was a bit challenging to say the least!



Here is a link for more photos:

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopi ... highlight=

Wow Fred, That's really Nice work. What Type of wood is the guitar made out of. T.Lee

I think the Mullen Discovery S10 can be made with 5 and 5.

Here's an S 10 with 5 and 4 for sale

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=270753

Gary Cosden wrote:I recently inquired about having an S10 built with 5 pedals and 5 knee levers and was told “no way – it gets too crowded under there”.

That's absurd. Find another builder.

Right Donny. There isn't a builder in business today that can't pull that off, unless they just didn't want his business,

5&5 is NO problem with most S10 pedal steels.. Certain S 10 models would be hard, the MSA SS comes to mind.. just too narrow. I have owned MSA, Carter[2], GFI Sho Bud, Fender 800, with 10 changes and never a problem.. Room for more actually. bob

I have 8 and 7 (7 being the lock lever)on a really small, keyless Williams S-12 Uni.

Gary Cosden wrote:I recently inquired about having an S10 built with 5 pedals and 5 knee levers and was told “no way – it gets too crowded under there”

I have a GFI Ultra S10 keyless with 5 pedals and 5 knees. When I bought it I asked for it to be built that way and they did. I had no reason to know that might be controversial. I don't know if the way the pedals and levers are configured is a factor but my copedent is described at http://tinyurl.com/jeffscopedent.

I would certainly agree with everyone..An S12 is a 7+5 Steel...left to right it's the exact same size as an S10..I wonder why someone would tell you it can't be done ? Maybe they meant THEY can't do it...

The only thing that may be effected is placement of knee levers and the ability to move them an inch or so one direction or the other if desired.

Some nice looking Steels above...!

I think Tony must be right. My first impression was that this would be easily doable and I think I must be right. I won't throw this person under the bus however. My feeling at this point is that he probably has reasons for not being able or wanting to and he unfortunately chose to blame it on not having room. Maybe thought I would be satisfied with that explanation and just go away? Whatever - next case. I'll be trying to sell some equipment soon to add to what I've saved for a new guitar fund and move on from there. Thanks to all who have chimed in.