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volume pedal heights
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The Steel Guitar Forum
Bar Chatter Archive
volume pedal heights
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This topic was originally posted in this forum: Wanted To Buy |
| Author | Topic: volume pedal heights |
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Jonathan Gregg Member Posts: 178 |
posted 25 July 2000 11:02 AM
greetings from NYC. reading the posting about the hilton pedal, I became curious about the heights of various units. I'm pretty tall myself and have been having a hard time finding a happy compromise in height between my right leg, which tends to get jammed up if the steel is too low, and my left foot, which in spite of adjustments to the rods to lengthen them often has to flex uncomfortably to reach the pedals when the steel is set a bit higher. I'm using an Ernie Ball pedal, which I get the feeling isn't a terribly popular model in these parts. anyone else use one of these, or have suggestions? What's the flattest volume pedal around? |
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Al Moss Member Posts: 170 |
posted 25 July 2000 12:37 PM
Goodrich makes a low profile model. I too am kind of tall, 6'1" , not so tall that I have to get longer rods or make extreme height adjustments to the the pedal legs but tall enough that I do feel the imbalance between right and left leg positions. The Goodrich is a bit lower to the ground. I tried one for a short while but found it to not be such a great solution for me. I dunno. |
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Donny Hinson Member Posts: 9192 |
posted 25 July 2000 01:54 PM
Jon, I have used the Fender pedal for years because of its clever design, center pivot, high reliability, and 100% shielding. It measures 2 1/16" from top to bottom (with the pedal at 50%). They can often be purchased used for $30-$40, but I don't think they're made anymore. [This message was edited by Donny Hinson on 25 July 2000 at 01:55 PM.] |
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Keith Hilton Member Posts: 1649 |
posted 25 July 2000 06:09 PM
Jonathan, the Earnie Ball volume pedal is much taller than most steel guitar pedals. I agree with everything Donny said. Like Donny, I also really like the design of the old Fender pot pedals. Both of these designs have the hinge point in the middle. This makes the action different than traditional steel guitar pedals. If you will look closely at the Goodrich standard pedal, and the Goodrich low-boy pedal, you will find that the hinge point is different. The hinge point is set back quite a ways off center on the Goodrich standard pedal. The Goodrich low-boy pedal hinge point is 3/4 of a inch further to the rear than the Goodrich standard pedal. This 3/4 of a inch makes for a much quicker action and feel. What amazes me is that many players would sacrifice --up and down movement and action for pedal height. I think they would give up anything to get a lower pedal, even 1/8 of a inch lower. They are always looking for the lowest pedal. It seems to never occur to some that they can raise their guitar 1/2 inch. Instead, most players "ALWAYS" think of decreasing the height of the pedal. Even if this means sacrificing action and movement. I have thought of taking this concept to the extreme. They make pressure sensors in 1/4 inch rubber floor mats. I have thought about building a pedal that is 1/4 of a inch high. There would be no up and down movement and pressure would change volume. For those seaking the lowest pedal in the world, this pressure mat would be just what they are looking for. Here is the the whole point; If you have a pedal that moves up and down off the floor 1 1/2 inches , it can't be lower than 1 1/2 inches. Many do not understand this simple law of nature. They want their pedal to do something impossible. Again, if 1/2 inch is "THAT" important, why not raise the guitar, instead of lowering the pedal? Lowering the pedal is not always a win, win, situation----and that is something most pedal makers will not tell you. Two of the lowest steel guitar pedals produced today are the Goodrich Low-Boy and my Low Profile pedal. They are exactly the same height, and move up and down the same, and have the same hinge point. If a guy had worn the same pair of shoes for 25 years, he would be used to those shoes. If there was 1/64th of a inch change in those shoes, it might really bother him. Other people can get used to slight changes very quick! ------------------ |
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Jim Smith Member Posts: 6399 |
posted 25 July 2000 07:00 PM
I'm 6'2" and my guitar has been raised 1 1/2" since the day I first got it, 20+ years ago. If memory serves me correctly, we had the first low volume pedal with the Dekley LowBoy, then the Goodrich L-120 came out. To this day I use a low pedal, not because I couldn't fit under my guitar without it, but because the more level and balanced the body is, the more comfortable it is to play. Having my feet and knees closer to parallel is more important (and comfortable) to me. ------------------ |
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Al Marcus Member Posts: 7471 |
posted 25 July 2000 09:29 PM
Rightly said, Jim......al |
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Jack Stoner Sysop Posts: 8119 |
posted 26 July 2000 04:07 AM
I used the standard Emmons Volume pedal for years, when I had a PP. I bought a Goodrich L120 (low model) in 84 and used it for 12 years and was happy with it. In 95 or 96 (CRS) I bought one of the "factory seconds" Goodrich pedals Scotty had on sale at the Convention. It was a standard 120. I was going to keep it as a spare pedal but it wound up being my every day pedal and the L120 was relegated to backup. I'm not tall (5'8") but the 120 seems a lot more comfortable and I like the action (piviot point?) on it better. |
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dblnk unregistered Posts: 8119 |
posted 26 July 2000 08:43 AM
Keith, your pedal has a feature I've always wondered why others didn't have.: The adjustable feet on the back. It's very simple, but to my recollection, no pedal before has ever had this. I like it because, you can adjust it to conform to different shoes, boots, etc. that you may end up playing in. Seems like every pair of shoes has a different heel height, or no heel at all. I have my right leg in a hard cast right now from a tumble I took off a ladder. Those feet on the back of the pedal have saved my bacon. I can scoot the pedal out some from the guitar, and still have some up and down movement on my right leg, which enables me to "get by" playing my regular job. If it weren't for those back feet, it would be much more difficult for me to work the vol. pedal. The extra travel to the pedal also makes it easier. ------------------ |
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Bob Hoffnar Member Posts: 4278 |
posted 26 July 2000 08:56 AM
Jonathon, Ernie Ball pedals work fine. I used one for years. No problem. Bob ------------------ |
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Bob Carlson Member Posts: 1063 |
posted 26 July 2000 11:22 AM
I have an Ernie Ball that I've used for years with my Tele.But when I bought a PS it just didn't fit.I called an old picking buddy back In Iowa who had switched to PS several years ago and he said "Get a low boy" which I did and what a diferance.I've never really though about It, but I think It makes my feet more level which also makes my knee's more level witch would make my back more level. Bob Carlson. ------------------ |
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SJ Russell Member Posts: 59 |
posted 26 July 2000 06:07 PM
I saw a fellow steel picker cope with a problem like that.he placed his volume pedal on the front side of the pedal bar and picked all night. It was a little strange to watch but he made it work. |
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