Uni to Ext E9 Conversion

[Jif]

Hi all, it's been a long time coming but I'm finally getting around to converting my Uni setup on my Legend to Ext E9. I am doing this as I'm really not doing anything on B6, TBH at my time of life, time is precious and I'd rather explore the possibilities offered by creating an EXT E9 copedent which will hopefully further my playing in a direction that I can see myself going. My current preference is to explore complex chords which can develop into other complex chords through pedal and lever changes and of course having the basic E9 changes allows for all the "standard" moves. It will obviously take a bit of getting used to and a reprogramming of some muscle memory as some of the grips on the lower strings will change with the addition of D on string 9 and losing the bottom B on string 12, however I'm excited with the possibilities and looking forward to getting it done.

I've been trying to take a methodical approach to this and will map out my copedent and a rough map of the rodding before I start. I've already mapped out my existing rodding so can return it to Uni should I want to in the future.

So the first thing I did was build a work stand for my steel to make it easier, which it has already when I mapped the existing rodding.






I've been doing a bit of digging for changes I'd like to incorporate and also having conversations with Calum re his conversion and his ideas. I found this really interesting Youtube video and US forum topic by Rick Schmidt and really liked some of his ideas, especially his zero pedal setup so I have incorporated some of his ideas, essentially his zero pedal, the addition of raising string 8 on the C pedal to F# and having the F lever raise string 12 but the raise being cancelled by the zero pedal, so string 12 will always be a C# with the zero pedal down regardless if the F lever is engaged. I have experimented this cancellation using split screws and it seeks to work OK. Watching his video better explains what this combination can achieve, also how the zero pedal works in conjunction with the A pedal and the F lever.



https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtop ... =ext++rick

Ricks copedent,

I asked Calum which change he couldn't do without and he suggested one which essentially changes G#'s to G's giving a minor, i.e. E minor on open strings. I believe it has other permutations which I will explore once done, this will be on pedal 5. I am going to keep the B6 pedal which raises strings 5 & 6 a tone, I love this change combined with the E lower. Currently it is pedal 7, I'm moving it to pedal 6. I'm moving my current zero pedal which raises string 1 a tone, string 2 a semi-tone and lowers string 7 a tone to pedal 4, though I may raise string 7 a tone rather than lower it, still thinking about this one.

So here is what I have so far, (kudos to Calum for the spreadsheet format idea),

I'm pretty set on this but would welcome suggestions, preferably with explanations on how they can be used and why. Of course there are so many changes that can be got with this amazing machine, but pointless if they are never going to be used in practice, so in a sense this will be my starting copedent, once built if I don't like or use some changes I'll try others

Attachments

[bob adams]

Isn't this some instrument!! Nice one J'

Images sorted!

[Arcada]

Images sorted!

EXIF?

[Jif]

Thanks for doing that Bob, was very strange, I did try rotating the images 180° and resubmitting them but they still displayed upside down, yet the other jpg's I uploaded were fine. Go figure! Anyway, all OK now.

Something I have been thinking about for a while is putting compensators on the E's to compensate for cabinet drop on strings 4 & 8, can't decide whether it's worth the bother or not. I may try it to see if it makes a noticeable difference, probably pulling from the A pedal.

Has anyone tried this?

[Tony Russell Davis]

Yeah - I get the stand! I see you can get inside to pick the strings while working on the undercarriage when it's upside down; great idea. I've seen the metal bracket/short legs before but not this cradle.

[Danny Mitchell]

Well Geoff, you certainly aren't shy to take on a challenge, but having seen your handiwork I know you'll make a great job of this.
Rick's guitar sounds fantastic, what a setup! Although it must weigh a ton. I suscribe to his theory, 'just hit strings till you find something that sounds good'.
I wish you all the best with this mission and look forward to hearing the result.
But, can I add, the windae sill is a hell of a place to stick your tortoise.(not a euphemism)

[Jif]

Yeah - I get the stand! I see you can get inside to pick the strings while working on the undercarriage when it's upside down; great idea. I've seen the metal bracket/short legs before but not this cradle.

I can't claim kudos for this design, I more or less copied it from the stand available on the US forum. The difference being that theirs is adjustable to fit different steels including twin necks. I fitted mine to my MSA as this is the only steel I'm likely to use it on. It only took an afternoon to knock it up from a spare piece of flooring and a few pieces of wood I had laying around. Worth doing considering how much easier it'll make the job. Yes, the arches allowing string plucking is a great idea!

http://www.steelguitarshopper.com/produ ... -Workstand

Well Geoff, you certainly aren't shy to take on a challenge, but having seen your handiwork I know you'll make a great job of this.
Rick's guitar sounds fantastic, what a setup! Although it must weigh a ton. I suscribe to his theory, 'just hit strings till you find something that sounds good'.
I wish you all the best with this mission and look forward to hearing the result.
But, can I add, the windae sill is a hell of a place to stick your tortoise.(not a euphemism)

Yes, I had a few complaints but also many compliments re my tortoise

I am also attracted to the mystery element involved with doing this, discovering new combinations etc. I'm trying to work the changes in line with musical theory, but the surprise element is always welcome

I'll document everything here as I progress, hopefully it'll help anyone looking to do similar work.

[Ken Byng]

Nice boowah change on pedal 0 Geoff, string 12 from E to C#. I would have the same setup that you do. Everything makes complete sense.

[Jif]

Thanks Ken, I'm just going to go with this copedent now, I'll see how it works out in practice, looking forward to new possibilities.

I've been working on existing and prospective rodding charts which I'll post up once completed. I'm trying to iron out as many challenges as I can before starting work in earnest. I know that when it comes to the bit there will be some jiggery pokery involved but if I can keep it to a minimum then I'll get finished quicker, I only have the one steel and I know I'll miss it when it's out of action.

Thanks again for the encouragement.

[Jif]

OK, more or less finished the planning stage, next thing is to do it!

Below are my existing Uni rodding chart with rods to be removed in black and my prospective Ext E9 rodding chart with various info in it. I've included a rod count for each shaft so I can work out if I need to get some additional rods. I think it's pretty much covered but I'll buy a long rod in case I need extra.

The pedals and lever columns are in the same order as they are on the steel, i.e. The shaft for LKL is between the shafts for the B & C pedals.