New Pedal Steel Day!

[Tyler Love]

Just received my GFI Ultra with the keyless tuners with a 3x5 configuration. This may be controversial but I love the understated sleek look.

This is my second steel in addition to my Mullen G2 D10. Since the Mullen resides in my studio and is a beast to lug around, I wanted something to keep at home for practices and fly with on tour.

The pedals have quite a different feel than the Mullen. The Mullen is smoother and easier, but the GFI feels easier to control and ease the push and pull. The knee levers also feel like they have a little more travel with the bell cranks and changer at the factory specs.

Another thing I noticed that I've never thought about, there's a lot more grip with the textured levers and pedals on the GFI. Where as the Mullen has chromed pedals and levers. I realize now how little feedback I get from the smooth pedals. If there's any stiffness to the sole of your shoe, you can't tell where your foot is. Makes me wonder if I should add some grip material to part of the pedals.

One other immediate note is that I *think* I like the pickup in the GFI a bit better. Kinda surprised especially considering the poles are covered which in guitars usually dulls the sound a bit more than I like.

I suspect (all measure with am multimeter if anyone is interested) the Mullen has a hotter output which drives the preamp in my amps a little harder. In the GFI I seem to hear a little more clarity in the low mids that I like. This is nice for me since I play live through my guitar rig to avoid carrying two amps where I have less headroom.



More pictures here...
https://imgur.com/a/ze6oZPn

[Joseph Lazo]

Happy new guitar day!

I'm with you on the looks of the GFI. I really like the modernist design! And every demo I've heard of one sounds great.

[Bobby D. Jones]

I own a GFI S12 Ultra, And a Mullen S12 PRP

Having a little more travel in the knee levers is the secret. To keeping a light GFI steel from wiggling and dancing across the floor, When you engage a knee lever.
When I got the GFI someone has set the KL pulls up real short.
The guitar wanted to move every time I engaged a knee lever.
I put more travel in the knee levers. The guitar now sets still and very stable.

The big difference I find is, The Mullen guitar has pedal return springs, So the pedal starts moving with return spring pressure and I do not feel it picking up the actual pull pressure.
The GFI does not have pedal return springs. So when you push the pedals the pedal contacts full load when engaged.

When I get the Mullen cleaned up and play it with the GFI, I am considering putting pedal return springs on the GFI, So both guitars will have the same pedal action feel.

PS. If you have an older GFI keyless with knurled tuning knobs. You may want to wear a blue Smurf glove/Examining glove on your left hand. For no blisters when changing strings. The newer GFI knobs have cuts, So a socket will fit the tuning knobs for easier replacing strings.

Good Luck with your GFI, Happy Steelin.
Edited to change a T to I, In GFI

[Jon Voth]

Also a player of Mullen G2 and GFI (Expo)

Man you are right about the pedals. I actually have to wear different shoes for the two-very different feel but I love playing them both. Don't love the looks of the Expo generally but your Ultra does look sharp and congratulations!