The Steel Guitar Forum

I have 3 pedals and 1 knee bar (RKR). I would like to add 3 other pedals (RKL, LKL, AND LKR. I will need to buy knee bars, knee bar brackets, the push rods, plastic nuts, and metal clamps. Does anyone have a source for those parts. I can do the install myself. Don't be put off by the paper fretboard and numbering system which is my addition for learning.
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You might see if either Bob Simmons (of Simmons Steel Guitars, who makes pro model pull-release guitars) or GFI (who also makes a pull-release student model) will sell lever kits.
Be aware that raising a string with one change and lowering it with another requires some different parts than if strings only raise or only lower.

on my maverick i installed an extra knee lever with stop to raise the 4th string.. i use a guitar string to looped through the finger in the changer underneath and that is attached to the knee lever.. it actually works really great. but what you'll probably read with other comments is that there's no easy way to have a string to 2 things.. there's not really an easy way to make a string lower and raise on those old student models.. you kinda have to choose 1 or the other.. so my 8th string lowers and my 4th string raises now with an extra knee lever and guitar string.. not the fanciest solution but it works. My maverick is used when i'm playing outside and it might rain... or for travelling since its only 40 lbs in the case. but it gets the job done and has great tone.

i should also add.. that if you are looking to add 3 or 4 levers.. you will spend easily $400-500 +.. so for the same overall cost you could potentially sell your current one and buy a steel with all the changes.. just an idea.. i went down the same route of "modding" my student model.. it was a fun process and its fun to learn how steels work.. but i for sure lost a lot of money that i'll never get back if ever i sell my Maverick haha.

Lane/Jordan:
Thanks for the advice. I agree that the task might be too expensive and that push-pull requires different levers and setup. Guess I'll sell my student model and get a P3 4 KB PSG.

I wouldn't spend any more money on that guitar, buy one with the knee levers already on it. It will be cheaper in the long run and worth more when you decide to sell it.

Irv:
Thanks for the advice. Any idea how much I should ask for this student model?

Dave where in WA are you?
Anywhere near Portland?
You might consider contacting Lynn Stafford (here in Portland area) to advise and give you an estimate on adding levers.
I also agree that if you can afford to buy a Pro model Steel then go for it.
It seems like you could add 3 knee levers for way less than a new steel, so sometimes... a bird in the hand...

Lynn's Website:
http://www.steelguitarwest.com/

Dave,
I'm really not sure but I would estimate around $750.00
I would suggest contacting a dealer and trading it in on something more to your needs.

I agree with Erv. Get yourself a stage one or Encore, or maybe a used pro guitar like a Carter or Dekley or an MSA classic with the 4 or 5 knee levers.

There's a Stage One in the classifieds right now.

This Dekley on E-bay has only 3 knee levers, but it would be relatively easy to add a 4th or 5th to it. Dekleys are heavy, but they are fabulous instruments. If you get this one and add 1 or 2 more knee levers, it will last you for the rest of your life.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dekley-3X3-SM10 ... SwYIxX5T59

Mike is that the right link? That does not look like a Pro model Dekley.

Pete, upon further inspection, I think you're right.

Dave, Perhaps the Stage One in the classifieds section is your best option.

Mike:
Thanks for the suggestion.

I had one of those guitars back in the mid 90's. At a guitar show, I traded George Gruhn a Gretsch Double Anniversary guitar that needed a LOT of work for mine. I had $125 in the guitar. Later the late Ed Naylor set it up with 4 knee levers for $200. I LOVED THAT GUITAR!!! About 2 years later, I traded a MSA D-10 that needed work on the C6th neck and that guitar for a Sho-Bud Pro III that I still have and play.