Should I add levers or upgrade?

[Jif]

Here's a couple of pictures of an underside of a GFI student, this wasn't mine, Scott Duckworth from the US site added a 3rd lever to his GFI student and posted info about the fitting on the Steel Builders Forum,

http://steelguitarbuilder.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=980

From memory I think a spring was required on the E lower KL but not on the E raise KL.

[Tony Russell Davis]

Like John said, you will be fine with what you have for quite a while. The other 2 KLs are nice to have but not essential and, since there is no standard placement for them anyway - better you figure where you want them before you buy.
If your books have licks that use those changes, (and mainly it's the second string lower that you will be wanting) you can increase your learning by seeking a workaround to get the note or phrase another way or in different place using your existing setup.
Tony.
Later - PS; from the pictures it is pull-release and there is room to lower the second string. It will be easier to make a RKL do that, since the lever moves in the same direction as "the release". You can have more information on the "how", if you decide to do it (involves rods and springs and bellcranks and things).

[Heartland Balladeer]

Thanks for all the advice,

I will take the advice that what i have should keep me going for a while so think i will hold out with what i have for the moment.

John,
yes, my levers raise and lower my Es a semitone. and thanks for the offer of trying your guitars, that is somthing i would like to take you up on once i have a few more months under my belt.

Thanks again.

[JohnDavisStringsHere]

Your welcome Darren, now the dark nights are upon us I think I may have a few steel evenings here in St.Neots I have room enough in my front room for maybe two or three newbies if anyone is interested please get in touch and we will get it organised, cannot promise to teach you anything apart from Bum notes and bad habbits but we could make a small amount of noise....

[Will C]

This thread has me thinking hard. Not about the original subject, interesting as it is. No, it is that everyone is saying that the second string lower is so important and they can't do without it (ok, a little exaggeration, but seems to be the drift). I only use it if I am trying to do a John Hughey lick, otherwise not at all. I must be way off the beam here.....

[JohnDavisStringsHere]

I refer you to the post above yours Me'Lud come on over and I will show you several ways you can use it.......

It is probably the one I would go for after having E's raise and lower......

[David Hartley]

I would upgrade. But I used one like yours for 4 years before doing so.

[Heartland Balladeer]

Yeah I think this will keep me going for a while, and let me do what I want to with it.

Thanks,