E9th Pedal Steel Guitar Explained (Knee Lever Lowering E's to D#)From A Guitar Player Point Of View

[@RandyDSims]

Thank you Shane for sharing this. It is extremely helpful to me, and greatly appreciated.

[@shaneframe1]

Thank you and my pleasure.

[@louislamonte334]

Thanks for this, Shane! You're always an inspiration to me!

[@shaneframe1]

Thank Louis!

[@Vinegar-Spiders]

Thanks Shane, as a beginner your videos have really helped me, being "to the point" and the "bar and pedal" notation on the screen, very unique and practical. One thing that I haven't seen anyone show, is where to sit. I know that sounds daft but as a beginner I have noticed that a couple of inches this way or that does make a difference.

[@shaneframe1]

Glad the videos are helping. That is my goal with them. Great question on where to sit. Your right, I don't know if anyone has addressed that. I will put that on my list of to do's.

[@frankortega4280]

Shane, great explanation of the proper use of an important knee lever. Most beginners focus on the pedals and never really grasp how effective the knee levers are. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience.

[@shaneframe1]

my pleasure Frank!

[@ramblinrogers]

You explain things very clearly. I like this kind of «bite-sized» video when learning something. I never had an instructor and have just been figuring things out as I go, so there will be some considerable gaps. Also I’ve always been very «non-theoretical» as a player (I’m basically unconscious when playing!), but would like to work on that. These videos will surely be a big help. Thank you!

[@shaneframe1]

Thank you! Makes me happy to move someone forward. Let me know if you have any suggestions on a subject to learn. I keep a running list.

[@KathyKramer-pv6ow]

I bought a vintage MSA 9 pedal and 5 levers. which lever are you referring to to lower from the E's to the D#? I like how you are explaining things. thank you for making this Kathy

[@shaneframe1]

Hi Kathy! On most 10 string pedal steels that are tuned to the E9th tuning, strings 1 to 10 F#, D#, G#, E, B, G#, F#, E, D, B, that lever should lower strings 4 & 8 from an E to D#.

[@shaneframe1]

Is your guitar a 12 string Universal 9x5? The tuning, pedal, and knee lever functions may be different on those models.

[@KathyKramer-pv6ow]

@@shaneframe1 Hi Shane, forgive the dumb questions, I know nothing about instruments or this MSA I purchased from Facebook. 1975 it has 2 necks 10 strings, I have been sitting at it trying to be comfortable with where the strings are and the steel bar. Most of the pedals and knee levels do not seem to do much. But Im sure I have enough to learn just on the top. That being said, I think that my lever on right right lowers the E. And the pedals A & B seem to do something to the 4 and 8 string. maybe 6 also. I tried tuning with an app I downloaded from google and it seems off, doesn't seem right on. So I tried to follow you on your video Explaining from a guitar player point of view, tuning 440 E string 4 and 8 then 5 and 10. which by the way doesn't have a 440 on my tuning app. So I just tuned 4 and 8 to E Then from there in unison harmonic which I don't believe I'm really ready to that as I do not think I quit have an hear for the sounds. I tried and right off the bat my 4 and 5 strings sounded much different from each other. I thought about purchasing a second hand Boss Turner //tu12 which tunes I believe in cents so just wonder if you think that would be better than what I've been trying? PS thank you for taking the time to do some of these videos, I am sure they will give me a good start. Kathy

[@shaneframe1]

@@KathyKramer-pv6ow If your guitar is a double 10 string one neck will be tuned E9th and the other C6th. The neck farthest from you while sitting behind the guitar will be the E9th neck. Let's focus on the E9th neck. In most cases pedals 1, 2,and 3 will control the E9th neck and the remaining pedals 4 thru 9 will control the C6th neck. Pedal 1 controls strings 5 & 10 (Raises them B to C#) Pedal 2 controls strings 3 & 6 (Raises them G# to A) Pedal 3 controls strings 4 & 5 (Raises string 4 E to F# and string 5 B to C#) (This is assuming you have what's called a Buddy Emmons pedal set up. If pedals 1 & 3 are reversed you have what is called a Jimmy Day set up) You need to look for the 2 knee levers that raise and lower strings 4 & 8. On the older MSA's both of those levers were located on your right knee. One should raise strings 4 & 8 E to F# One should lower strings 4 & 8 E to D# There will be 2 other knee levers that control strings on the E9th neck. They will vary pending your setup. Most of the time one will lower strings 2 & 9 and one will raise strings 1 & 7. Here's a link to a tuning video I did a while back that may be more audible and visually helpful. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpKcmJ2snJZ4mpI