JohnnyBG, I think you're refering his "foot diller". This invention's name has been miss quoted so many times that it's almost comical, but that's another thread. To answer your question, Robert Oneman Johnson. He pesently hails from Iowa City, when he can be found in the U.S. Unfortunately he spends much of his time these days abroad. He is the only person I know of who set out to take up where Jesse left off by creating a similar bass instrument played in the same fashion, with his feet. He calls his version of Jesse's foot diller his twelve string foot piano. (Jesse's only had five strings.) Over the years Oneman has rebuilt his many times. Each time he canibalizes the former to create the new one. Though I've pleaded with him, he's never kept photo record of each generation of this very unique instrument. What a great loss to those of us who delight in these curious endeavors.

By all means attempt away. There are no rules of right and wrong really. Just take your best shot and hope for the best. I've often thought about building something similar to my friend Oneman's twelve string foot piano. I've found some pedals and components which I think may work but have other more pressing projects waiting for my attention at the moment. Good luck and have fun!