Newbie question: how do half-stops work?
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David Mason
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Newbie question: how do half-stops work?
In C6th tuning, I find myself trying to play Bb's with my fourth pedal, the one that brings both A's to major B's. is this an appropriate place to install a half-stop pedal? What does a half-stop feel like, just a little "pause" or a flat spot in the action? I really need those Bb's. I have Ab's on my RKR, but I need those too....
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Larry Bell
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How do half-stops work?
In my opinion, not very well.
I don't have any on either of my guitars because a spring-loaded half-stop makes the lever stiffer and is often difficult to find the midpoint -- better than nothing, but certainly not ideal. If you're asking about a half-stop on a pedal, it's an even worse idea than one on a lever. You will ALWAYS feel the catch at the half tone when you use the full tone raise or lower.
There are two basic methods to get a half-stop: (1) install an adjustable spring on the pull rod so that the spring kicks in at the midpoint or (2) run a separate rod to the same bellcrank and tune it at the endplate.
Many C6 players who have the A to B raise also have the A to Bb on a lever. It is much more useful, since that change works with several pedals. Some use P4 for the Bb and P7 to raise the 4th to B and settle for that Ma7 or Ma9 chord. Combining P4 with P6-P8 will require both feet, which I personally prefer to avoid whenever possible.
Most 'serious' C6 players raise and lower the 3rd and 4th strings 1/2 step with levers, so they can alter any pedal or combination of pedals. If you study those changes out of the C, A, D, and F root positions you'll see how powerful those 'Buddy Emmons' changes are.
You may find that half-stops work ok on levers for you, but I doubt you'll be happy with one on a pedal.
The other approach is split tuning, but that only works when you have other pedals or levers that raise or lower the right intervals to give you the combined/split note. For example, you raise A to B on 4 with P4 and you lower A to Ab with a lever. When you combine those changes, you can get the perfect Bb if you have split tuning capability on your guitar. Downside to that is you have to engage two levers or a pedal and a lever just to get the half-stop, making it more difficult to combine with other changes. Put the A to Bb on a separate lever. You'll be glad you did.
Hope this helps.
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<small>Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps
<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Larry Bell on 19 May 2003 at 08:44 PM.]</p></FONT>
In my opinion, not very well.
I don't have any on either of my guitars because a spring-loaded half-stop makes the lever stiffer and is often difficult to find the midpoint -- better than nothing, but certainly not ideal. If you're asking about a half-stop on a pedal, it's an even worse idea than one on a lever. You will ALWAYS feel the catch at the half tone when you use the full tone raise or lower.
There are two basic methods to get a half-stop: (1) install an adjustable spring on the pull rod so that the spring kicks in at the midpoint or (2) run a separate rod to the same bellcrank and tune it at the endplate.
Many C6 players who have the A to B raise also have the A to Bb on a lever. It is much more useful, since that change works with several pedals. Some use P4 for the Bb and P7 to raise the 4th to B and settle for that Ma7 or Ma9 chord. Combining P4 with P6-P8 will require both feet, which I personally prefer to avoid whenever possible.
Most 'serious' C6 players raise and lower the 3rd and 4th strings 1/2 step with levers, so they can alter any pedal or combination of pedals. If you study those changes out of the C, A, D, and F root positions you'll see how powerful those 'Buddy Emmons' changes are.
You may find that half-stops work ok on levers for you, but I doubt you'll be happy with one on a pedal.
The other approach is split tuning, but that only works when you have other pedals or levers that raise or lower the right intervals to give you the combined/split note. For example, you raise A to B on 4 with P4 and you lower A to Ab with a lever. When you combine those changes, you can get the perfect Bb if you have split tuning capability on your guitar. Downside to that is you have to engage two levers or a pedal and a lever just to get the half-stop, making it more difficult to combine with other changes. Put the A to Bb on a separate lever. You'll be glad you did.
Hope this helps.
------------------
<small>Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps
<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Larry Bell on 19 May 2003 at 08:44 PM.]</p></FONT>