The Steel Guitar Forum

What kind of string should I use to restring my volume pedal, and where can I get it? (This post follows 30 minutes of unsuccessful internet search.)

If it's a Goodrich I use mason line as used by the brick layers. Ernie Ball has their own line. Bill Ferguson and Jerry Roller are Goodrich dealers and could help you. They are forum members. A search on the forum will yield tons of previous posts on this.

I don't use a pot pedal, but I wonder if the stuff that French horn players use would work well. It's ultra flexible and designed to flick back and forth all night.
I supposed it's called rotary valve cord.

I have had good results with a length of braided string from a window blind. It's been on my Emmons pot pedal for a couple of years with no problems.

Thanks for all the suggestions. Earlier in my search, I saw kevlar cord, and thought about trying that out. But our good buddy Tom Bradshaw is already arranging to send me some good stuff. (Thanks, Tom!)

Standard fly fishing line works well.

The stuff sold by shops for climbing/rigging as accessory/utility cord or perlon line looks very similar to what's in my Goodrich, I'm guess the 2mm stuff. They also have kevlar/dyneema cord in thin diameters:

https://www.rei.com/product/716685/pmi-utility-cord-2mm

I went through this last week. I bought mason's string at Lowe's. (located with the rope) The smallest spool they had was 250 ft. and I had a choice of several different colors. It is a smaller diameter than the old string, but it's 1000 times stronger than you need to turn a pot shaft. The smaller diameter does seat better underneath the attaching screws. Only time will tell if it works out.

I really like the idea on the venetian blind strings. I just took a look at mine and they are larger diameter than the mason string. They are extra long, so I could have gotten what I needed off of them.

In over 50 years of playing pot pedals, I have never broken a string. The hype about using an active pedal because you dont have to worry about breaking a string is sales hype. The slight pull on the string to turn the pot shaft is never going to cause the string to break. The string is easy to replace, so I have never considered it an issue. Replacing a pot is also an easy job and they last for several years before needing replacement. I always have a backup pedal with me just in case.

I agree with Ken.
I've used fishing line.
Erv

Erv Niehaus wrote:I agree with Ken.
I've used fishing line.
Erv

What kind of fishing line, braided Dacron? Certainly not mono?

Fly line.

Ken Pippus wrote:Fly line.

Interesting! I’ve got literally thousands of yards of flyline.
If any of you can’t track it down, drop me a PM.

Someone sent me some waxed string a couple of years ago. Sorry I can’t remember who but it works great and has for a couple of years.

Years ago Bobbe Seymour recommended using waxed shoe strings designed for men's dress shoes.

Mike, I used the venetian blind cord, per your suggestion. Looks fabulous. Thanks for the tip.