New guitar setup

[Michael Gentry]

I finally ordered a brand new guitar. Ordered an Encore 4x5. Should have it close to the end of year. Im looking for opinions on the knee lever setup. Ive been playing an MSA semi-classic 3x2 since 2012. My MSA has the (E>F on RKL) and (E>E-flat on RKR).

Im pretty comfortable with this obviously. I dont think this is how most guitars are setup. Looking for opinions on if I should switch to the standard setup that would normally come on this guitar, (E>F on LKL) (E>E-flat on LKR).

Is there some sort of natural ergonomic or practical advantage to the "normal" setup?

On the one hand it seems like I should go with what im used to but on the other im wondering if im missing out on an advantage.

Thanks

[Tucker Jackson]

Hi, Michael.

A sizeable minority of players have the E changes on the right knee. More specifically, the E-lower is somewhat common, but the E-raise on that right knee...is less common. But people do one or both of those on the right knee and seem to like it.

The E-raise and E-lower are the most-used knee changes. I personally find it a little harder to do subtle volume pedal work when my right knee is flying around. I find it easier to work the floor pedals in that situation, so those E-changes don't bother me when they are on the left knee. That's the way most steelers do it.

The other (really small) issue is that since "E's on the Right" is a less common setup than "E's on the left," it will make it harder for you to sit at somebody else's steel (and vice versa). And it may be harder to someday sell unless you're willing to re-rod it.

The main determinant is what you're most comfortable with. If you ask people why they have their E-lower on a right knee, they'll usually say it's because their first steel came set up that way. Sho-Bud, in particular, used to ship their steels that way, so a whole cohort of players who started in the 1970s on Buds have stuck with that, and they do fine. In later eras, steel manufacturers tended to suggest a "Most Requested" copedent that included E's on the left knee, probably mimicking Buddy Emmon's setup. So people got used to that. It's largely a personal preference and 'familiarity' thing.

But if you decide to change knees, I've done it and it only took about 2 days for the brain to rewire a new pathway.

[Bobby D. Jones]

Steel Guitar set up has no world wide standard, Like a piano.

There is no standard on knee levers. Many guitars have raise and lower E's on left knee. If guitar is set up Emmons pedals, LKL raise E's, LKR lower E's. If the guitar is set up Day pedals, LKL lowers E's, LKR Raises E's. This has knee and foot rolling in same direction on B pedal and lower E's for 7th chord. Roll knee and foot other direction, for A pedal and Raise E's, Bar up neck 3 frets for same chord.

Some guitars are set up with E raise on 1 knee, Lower on other knee, That allows a smooth raise motion from D# to F, Or lower F to D# with no pause in travel.

Guitars setup with Jeff Newman's 12 string universal has raise RKL and lowers on RKR.

I think Mr. Anderson set up MSA guitars with E's on right knee.
How knee levers are set up is a personal choice.
Good Luck in your choice, Happy Steelin.

[Michael Gentry]

Appreciate the feedback. Good thoughts

[Michael Gentry]

Appreciate the feedback guys. Good thoughts.

[Chris Brooks]

Michael, I have both the E changes on the right knee--and like that setup.

Ergonomics? I feel they are better with the Es on the right knee. That way you split the functions: RKR, lowering E to D#, left foot works Pedal B. With E to E# (i.e. F), left foot works Pedal A.

And the left knee is then free to hit another change.

[Tommy Mc]

Michael, I have my E lower on RKL because that's how it was on the steel I learned on. There wasn't an E raise on that guitar. When I bought my next steel, it had the more common setup of both E's on the left. I gave it a fair try, but couldn't get used to having my "most used" E lower in a new location. So I changed it back to RKL. Never having had the E raise before, I left it on LKL. So now my E's are split between both legs. I've recently become aware that Paul Franklin has his E's in the same location, so maybe it's not the worst setup.

My current guitar also came with both E's on the left, but again, I changed it around to what I'm used to. Not a big deal. On the rare occasion that I've tried other people's steels, it took me a little readjusting. I guess that's a downside if you do that much. If I was ordering a new steel, I wouldn't hesitate to set it up the way I'm used to. It's the other 2 or 3 levers you want to think about. One lever will probably lower 2&9. Another to raise 1 and either raise 7 or lower 6. I'm sure you'll get more suggestions.

[ajm]

I noticed that you only asked about the knee levers.

What about pedal 4?
Let's assume that you have A-B-C doing the "standard" changes in the "Emmons" (not Day) configuration.
What do you have P4 doing?
And where will it be located?

[Allen Merrell]

I have an Encore I purchased in late 2022. I was in limbo on setup too. So I decided to get it with Doug's standard set up without pedal 4. Here it is 2026 and I am still using the OEM setup. To me the OEM setup was well thought out, it was easy to get adjusted to from my old Bud. I did install the 4 pedal a couple of years later but have since removed it for lack of use. I am not a real good player in fact I am not a good player and what I said about the Encore is just my humble opinion. So don't sweat the OEM setup but keep the steel happy get the GHS strings for it mine does not like the NYXL strings but my Bud does. It will tolerate the Jag Lloyd Green set well. I likes stainless steel wound. The pickup sounds very good. Best bang for the buck out there in my opinion.

[Bob Carlucci]

I would keep both the E's right where you had them on the MSA.. They were standard on MSA guitars for years, and even on a lot of old Buds.... Then when Buddy Emmons copedent became commonly known, everyone decided that the ""Emmons setup"" was the way to go.. Many thousands of players didn't go that route, and still don't to this way.. IMHO, you lose nothing by staying with both E changes on the right knee, and gain nothing by putting them on the left knee, or by splitting them... Just my opinion...