Help please

[Danny Mitchell]

Hello Gerry,
I've been reading your thread with interest, and although I've got no helpful technicall knowledge to pass on, my tuppence worth would be to hang on to the guitar. Once you start on it, it really gets under your skin and will bring you nothing but joy. (Although, it is a steep learning curve)
Have a shuftie at Joe Wright’s lessons on the Sierra Guitars site, it's a very good introduction, and more.
Good luck with, firstly, your repairs and secondly with your adventures in steel.

[Tony Russell Davis]

So, if you intend to follow your friend's 10 string set-up you can go with one of the "standard"-ish! copedents on one of the several forums; this one, the "Steel Guitar Forum" (USA) or do a search for "pedal steel guitar" and loads will pop up. Be sure to see that it's for "E9th" - which is what you are aiming for.
To elaborate on what my friend Peter told you, there are two main ways to set up a PSG. The difference is which way (from left to right) that you put the pedals. The pedals are always called "A, B and C" (according to what they do) but can be arranged (left to right) ABC or CBA.
The ABC set up is associated with Buddy Emmons and often abbreviated to "Emmons" (that's my way). If they're set-up the other way (CBA) it's called after Jimmy Day; "Day" set-up. Once that is decided it can have a bearing on where you place the two "E string" knee-levers, one to raise the E strings and one to lower them. Many have these on the same leg, if you do that and it's the left leg, then make sure the raise goes left for "Emmons" or right for "Day"; opposite for the lower.
Here's why; "Emmons" (and I) have the pedals (lt. to rt.) - ABC; the E-raise on LKL (left knee left) and the E-lower on LKR (you can work LKL out yourself and you're learning more PSG terminology ). The raise combined with pedal A gives an inversion of a major chord; the lower works with pedal B for a 7th chord so it's easier to have the KLs working the way your leg moves. We can tackle RKL and RKR later - and maybe even LKV).
The left ankle "hovers" above pedals A and B and sort-of 'twists' to operate one or both. This twist can cause discomfort, which can often be avoided by using the other se-up. My ankle twists nicely with "Emmons" but many of my pals here and overseas prefer "Day" for their best comfort.
If you look over Joe Wright's site beware of the link on the first page to "Joe's set up" - it's a full 12 string tuning (he's known for playing 12 string Universal too) the first 8 strings are the same as a "10" but different from string 9 down (but I'm sure his teaching material is for 10 string).

[Gerry K]

Thank you all for all your help, encouragement and advice, who would have known that there would be so much to learn and absorb! and I've not even tried to play it yet! I will almost certainly hang on to it once I've sorted it out, it will give me something to do in my dotage!
Gerry

[Danny Mitchell]

Gerry, further bedtime reading!

Zak, an excellent young player on the forum, recently posted a link to this article, which may throw another option open to you, as you reconnect the guitar. It's by the sagacious Maurice Anderson, a man who knew his onions.

https://www.b0b.com/infoedu/future1.htm

And here's another, inspirational article from Mr Anderson.

https://msapedalsteels.com/%22reeces-page%22

[Gerry K]

Hi wonderful 'Steelies', Thank you for all your input and links - I have really appreciated them as well as your encouragement.
A quick update:
It seemed to me that I needed to make a decision as far as the Copedent was concerned so in the end I decided to go with 'A' 'B' 'C' pedals, and - as the bits are there - LKL, LKR, RKL, and RKR, I will connect LVL but I doubt I will use it initially. So far I have removed all the rods, repositioned the bell cranks and connected 'A' 'B' and 'C' pedals as well as LKL and LKR, it has taken me all day as it appears that you need an engineering degree to work on it as well as a pilot's licence to play it! I'm looking forwards to connecting the RKL, RKR, and LVL but it may not be until next week now as we have visitors for the weekend!
Having made a start I might sleep better tonight!
So guys have a great weekend and again thank you for your interest and advice!
Gerry

[Danny Mitchell]

.....it appears that you need an engineering degree to work on it as well as a pilot's licence to play it!

Ha, ha! Well said that man!
Progressing nicely there, Gerry. On my guitar the vertical lowers both the B strings a semitone, and I've found it a nice change to have in there.

[Tony Russell Davis]

Yes Danny, that's what I did with the vertical; but have to admit I seldom used it when I was playing E9th regularly. I find that any vertical compromises your foot movements (it's usually the left one Gerry, 'cos the right interferes with the volume pedal): although Jimmy Crawford seemed to manage quite well!!! Gerry, something more for you to research is the "Crawford Cluster" - alarming

[Danny Mitchell]

Tony, your mention of 'The Crawford Cluster' piqued my interest and after a quick google (they can't touch you for it) I found this, unbelievable, description.

you are correct about the "Crawford Cluster", there are two left moving knee levers, two right moving knee levers and one vertical knee lever all in a cluster around the left knee.
There are players that have two "Crawford Clusters"; one for E9th and one for C6th making a total of 10 knee levers all for the left knee. I seem to recall that Jimmy is one of them. These guitars usually have a total of 12 knee levers considering the two for the right knee. I know of guitars with a partial "cluster" on the right knee; just no vertical.

What the @#$%!
I can only imagine you would have to be a former winner of the Knobbly Knees Competition to utilise this set up.

[Gerry K]

Thanks guys,
Its great to see some banter as well as encouragement! NEWS - I THINK I've finished the re-rodding [I've done it using the chart Pete Lindsley sent me!] I'm quite proud of the progress but I'm sure there are many hours of 'adjustments' to come yet assuming it is correct so far. My comment about engineering was prompted by the fact that I had to make a couple of parts using an old 3 pin plug and I also had to shorten a few of the rods. [better than having to lengthen them!]
I've posted some photos of the final rodding result though I use the word final reservedly! I'm looking forwards now to the next stage but at the moment I haven't a clue what that is!
keep well guys
Gerry

[Gerry K]

Hi There wonderful, wonderful Steelies!
May God bless the lot of you for your interest, help, advice, encouragement and patience!

Well some good news! I THINK I've done it! after many hours of re-rodding and repositioning then even more hours, of re-rodding, re-re-rodding, repositioning,
re-repositioning, re-mechanic-ing, looking confused, penny-dropping moments, making bits and playing with my good sensitive guitar tuner, I've now got all the pedals and all the levers, pulling all the correct strings, to all the correct pitches! according to the Copedent I have. Extra thanks to Pete Lindsley who has been guiding me wonderfully and encouraging me via email. If I haven't missed anything then as far as I know the next step is to find or acquire a volume control pedal [any suggestions?] and find some time to actually sit at the instrument and begin to learn how to play it.
My respect for you guys has risen even higher in the last few weeks, so thank you - all of you!

Gerry