The Steel Guitar Forum

Erv Niehaus wrote:I think we should call it a "zirconia" guitar because that's the kind of bar I'm using at the present.

Erv, I'm curious to see if that zirconia tone bar wears your strings out any faster.

Hey Eric, I just got one like that a few weeks ago (it's my first). The knobs on mine are black but they look like plastic replacements. The nut and bridge are black and looks like the original bakelite. The screws at your pickup are another difference. The location further from the bridge in specif...

Thanks to all who have replied, especially those whose posts convey they understand and remember what is was like at the start. When I started acoustic guitar the tuning was the universal (low to high) EADGBE. All instructional material was geared to that 6 string tuning. Anywhere you looked you kne...

James, I get what you're saying. If this was my first instrument I would agree. I chose lap steel strictly for the western swing sound. Otherwise I'm more than happy to stick with my acoustic and electric guitars (some of which would not be suitable for a beginner at guitar). If the 8 string is the ...

I started out with it tuned (high to low) ECAGEC (as per the string packaging). The DVD's being demo'd on 8 string guitars was the heart of the confusion. Both DVD's said to drop the lowest 2 strings to get the tuning for a 6. I'll retune like you said, but the instructor calling out the "secon...

I've got an old Rick (metal body) 6 string. Tuned it according to Cindy Cashdollar's lesson 1 (Learning the Basics). Basically, GECAGE on JP #7380 C6 strings. #918 Dunlop tone bar (and a SP3) and finger picks (from banjo). I've gone through the Rob Haines "Anyone Can Play C6 Lap Steel" and...

Thanks for your advice guys! Lap steel it is. Do any brands lend themselves better to western swing (tone quality)? Lastly 6,7 or 8 strings?
Thanks again,
John

First time posting at this great site. I would appreciate some guidance. I would like to play western swing. I play guitar and have some experience with banjo. Do I jump right into pedal steel or start with lap steel? Thanks in advance for your feedback.
John