The British Steelies Society

Hello all. Just wondering if there's an ideal height above knees to have a pedal steel? I'm 5ft3, so shorter than most steel players I imagine. As it is, my knees with feet flat on the floor just reach the tip of my levers (see photo), so to use them I have to push up onto tip toes, which I assume is not ideal? Thankfully there's some adjustment left in the legs, but I'll need to shorted the rods to get it any lower, so before I take a saw to anything, how much lever against the side of your leg is ideal for easy playing? I'm guessing I might need to lose a good 2-3 inches?
Thanks for any ideas!
Laura

Hi Laura,

JD may well have rods for your guitar, I’d definitely consider buying replacements ones in case you want to sell the guitar one day. That said, from the photos it looks a bit like two of your rods have extenders on them? Can they be unscrewed?

The short answer is probably aim for the top of your knee about half way up the lever.

Ideally you want a high enough seat so you can sit at your guitar with forearms parallel to the floor (so wrists straight at the level of the strings) - but not so high you can’t plant your left heel on the ground. (Some people find playing in cowboy heels helps them work the pedals, most people prefer flat sneakers I think, it’s worth deciding what you like at this point).

I would unhook the pedal rods and adjust the height of the guitar with that in mind and also try to give two or three inches clearance above your knees (volume pedal height considered). If the levers feel comfortable and easy to operate (with heels down), measure the required rod length with the connectors screwed in about half way so you can adjust later. Factor in the travel of the pedals - the pedal ends should be about a cm from the floor fully depressed.

If you’re feeling adventurous you can hacksaw at the thread end and sand off any burrs.

Hope that helps. See you soon!
Jon

Thanks John/Jon, really helpful! So about 3 inches shorter would be about right, and also just about doable without taking a saw to the legs. A couple do have adjustment, but not enough to get that much shorter. It's a White. Do you have some around 60-61cm that would suit, John? Currently 67cm (including the bit that attaches to the pedals). I would rather get a new set rather than cut them, as I think most people would want it taller if I ever progress enough to feel like I deserve an upgrade and need to sell this one on!

67cm is 27 inches which I think is two inches over standard height, so not surprising it is too high.

Hi Laura, re the height of the guitar, I am 5' 3" and my Mullen RP is 1" shorter than normal, all that is involved is as follows, remove 1" from front legs only the back legs just need recessed into the outer sleeve, and then enough off the pedal rods to allow them to fit, sometimes you don't need a full inch removed.
This is better done by someone who knows what they are doing engineering wise..
Good luck
Willie
Asleep at the Steel

Thanks all! I assume the hook is the top end, but here's a picture of each end in case that's also helpful. Around 3 inches shorter would be ideal I think. Interesting to know it might be on the tall side anyway - definitely a bit tall for me!
Laura

The legs are all adjustable and have about 3 inches to go still so thankfully it should just the rods that need shortening/replacing