I just acquired an old Sidekick as a learner. I don't know anything about pedal steels yet, but I do know something is missing. The knee lever is currently detached. I have the lever and a handful of nuts and bolts. Could someone with a Sidekick identify the missing parts? The lever is a single bar of billet aluminum. No extra pieces.
I appreciate your help.
HOW TO ATTACH A MSA SIDEKICK KNEE LEVER
Moderator: Dave Mudgett
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Kay Hummel
- Posts: 1
- Joined: 17 Nov 2025 10:41 am
- Location: St. Peters
HOW TO ATTACH A MSA SIDEKICK KNEE LEVER
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Erv Niehaus
- Posts: 27160
- Joined: 10 Aug 2001 12:01 am
- Location: Litchfield, MN, USA
Re: HOW TO ATTACH A MSA SIDEKICK KNEE LEVER
Those parts look more like they came out of a John Deere tractor, not a pedal steel guitar. 
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Jerry Overstreet
- Posts: 14541
- Joined: 11 Jul 2000 12:01 am
- Location: Louisville Ky
Re: HOW TO ATTACH A MSA SIDEKICK KNEE LEVER
https://steelguitar.com/manuals/MSA_Sid ... Manual.pdf
Kay, the lever appears to not be the original lever as shown in the manual [see link above] Fig. #6....or perhaps it's just the mounting tab is missing.
Also, the screw and nut shown in fig. 6 appears to have the hardware modified from the original dual function which is to use the knurled screw to tune the 4th string open note plus as an overide stop for the knee lever.
Maybe the manual explains/describes that. These guitars have a very specific method of tuning so be sure and read the manual.
On of the screws pictured might be for attaching the knee lever to the hub. The other hardware you have pictured appears to be extra parts that are not needed here. The screw with the wing nut appears to be one that attaches the pedal bar to the leg. Perhaps an extra or spare.
The acutal lever in the manual photo appears to be a standard MSA part and perhaps someone on the forum has one for you.
Good luck with this and your pedal steel journey!
Kay, the lever appears to not be the original lever as shown in the manual [see link above] Fig. #6....or perhaps it's just the mounting tab is missing.
Also, the screw and nut shown in fig. 6 appears to have the hardware modified from the original dual function which is to use the knurled screw to tune the 4th string open note plus as an overide stop for the knee lever.
Maybe the manual explains/describes that. These guitars have a very specific method of tuning so be sure and read the manual.
On of the screws pictured might be for attaching the knee lever to the hub. The other hardware you have pictured appears to be extra parts that are not needed here. The screw with the wing nut appears to be one that attaches the pedal bar to the leg. Perhaps an extra or spare.
The acutal lever in the manual photo appears to be a standard MSA part and perhaps someone on the forum has one for you.
Good luck with this and your pedal steel journey!