Carter Steel Guitars Presents:
PEDAL STEEL GUITAR ILLUSTRATED

Pedal Steel Guitar
Parts Function Map -- DESCRIPTIONS
(TOP View)

Question:

What Is a Changer and How Does It Work?

Answer:

The changer is the heart of a pedal steel guitar. On modern all-pull^* guitars, changer mechanisms are of 2 basic types:

1. Wraparound Raise Finger: In this configuration, the raise finger goes up and around the bridge pin (finger shaft) and resides next to the control finger. It contains 1 rivet, which connects the raise and lower fingers. It also requires only 1 return stop.
   Animated Wraparound Changer RAISING
   Animated Wraparound Changer LOWERING
   
   
2. Riveted Raise Finger: In this configuration, the raise finger is riveted to the bottom of the control finger. It contains 2 rivets, 1 of which connects the raise finger to the lower finger and the other of which connects the raise finger to the control finger. This configuration may require 2 return stops: 1 for the raises and 1 for the lowers.
   Animated Riveted Changer RAISING
   Animated Riveted Changer LOWERING

A basic diagram of a changer mechanism (wraparound finger type) is shown below:

^*Push-Pull Changer: For those of you who are curious about old push-pull changer mechanisms developed in the 1960's, we have added some information and animation.

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Pedal Steel Guitar Illustrated -- Parts Function MAP (TOP View)

Pedal Steel Guitar Illustrated -- Parts Function MAP (UNDERCARRIAGE View)

Pedal Steel Guitar Illustrated -- Parts Function Maps INDEX

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