Steel height for someone who grew to full size

[Kevin Gabriel]

Hi, new forum member. I am trying to determine if I need to raise my steel. And if so how much? I spoke with GFI via email and I must not be explaining my self well. I am a large human, 6'1" and about 280lbs with big long legs. I have picked up a new Goodrich L-120 (thanks Tom Bradshaw!) and have purchased a seat currently at 20 inches to get my thighs level when seated. When my right leg is on the volume pedal, I have less than two finger widths to the main frame of the steel and I I feel like I am crammed underneath. Gonna try to share a pic. I also installed LKR and RKR flags but they hit way down my leg when installed at the bottom of the lever.
So not sure if I need to go 1 or 2 inches higher or if I need flag extensions back toward the player to sit further away and not under the steel so far. Any help or tips would be greatly appreciated, thank you!

[Rex Myers]

I feel you Brother I am 6' 5". I have had to raise my steels I added 2 inches to a BMI I had and it was perfect Comfort is important you should be able to reach everything with ease and should feel natural I just purchsed a D-10 Excel and added 1" of lift and adjusted the LKL so I can reach it comfortably. Fortunately for me My Fessenden came 1" taller than standard. I would say a 1" of lift would be good for you Good luck Let us know how it turns out

[Tucker Jackson]

When my right leg is on the volume pedal, I have less than two finger widths to the main frame of the steel...

That's how it is with my steels. That clearance seems pretty normal to me for the right leg, but you could easily extend the 2 rear legs an inch for a few minutes to see how it feels. If it's good, you could leave it that way or get a 1" lift kit to jack the front legs up too, along with extended pedal rods.

Another related issue, and maybe more important is: how are your arms and hands? Does that all feel comfortable given the height of your steel and seat?

[Rex Myers]

I want to add I like low profile Vol pedals , I like Tuckers advice , you need to experiment and find the setup that gives you the most comfort.

[Kyle Van Koevering]

The thread title got a good laugh out of me. I've struggled with the same issue and am still trying to figure it out. I've raised mine up 2 inches and it's better but I still wouldn't call it comfortable or ergonomic. Good luck.

[Kevin Gabriel]

Thanks for all of the replies! Still not sure about 1" or 2". It's playable, but crowded. Regarding the arms and hands, seems or be comfortable, maybe slightly uphill. I am also going from Day to Emmons so all of that is going on.too! I think I'll try some lift blocks of different heights and see how the knee levers go. Just don't want to have to buy two sets. It's a GFI Expo X1 with non-adjustable front legs, so would like to huy replacements one time.

[Harry Dove]

Been there and done that. I would recommend experimenting with placing boards or something under the bottom of the legs until you find what is comfortable. Of course you can't try the pedals like this but you can try the knee levers. Too high is almost as bad as too low. I started out with 2 inches which was too high. It doesn't take much to make a big difference. When you find what is just right then you can add the pedal rod extensions and leg spacers.

[Donny Hinson]

Start with a 2" lift, and if you need it a little higher or lower, you can raise or lower it in the back by adjusting the rear legs.

[Kevin Gabriel]

UPDATE: decided to go with a 2in leg kit after trying 1" and 2" blocks. Due to the angle of the legs I am not sure it's a true 2in lift like a block, but feels so much better! Thanks for the tips, waiting on new legs and rods from GFI!