The Steel Guitar Forum

I practiced a little bit with a song in F# tonight (Handle on You with dangerous Dan on steel). The positioning felt a little strange, and I still need to memorize the chords, but using relative positioning, it was surprisingly pretty easy to adjust to, and the tone is really nice in F#. So, I'm a q...

Thanks Larry.

Seat time is a pleasure. Listening back is kind of tough right now.

But, I guess if I can hear the pitchiness and phrasing stuff I don't like, that means I can fix it eventually, right?

Thanks for replying and the encouragement.

Howdy folks. I've been lurking, searching and making a few comments here for a couple of months, but never formally introduced myself. I've played guitar, mandolin and bass for many years (mostly acoustic music but also rock, gospel & country). I've recently started gigging in a country band and...

Thanks everyone for the replies. Having been a guitar player for many years, i realize two things will be a little different as I transition to steel: 1. I will have to go back to thinking in patterns and positional relationships of chords, at least for a while. With guitar, i have learned the neck ...

I know and understand everybody's rejection of the premise of drop tuning. It's impractical in a typical live situation where each player has just one instrument. But in the studio, where a producer wants to get just the right key for a singer, and in larger live situations (where players can have m...

Call me naive I guess. I had no idea that drop tuning was a political issue.

So, we don't just judge music based on skill, quality and tone, but also how it's done. I didn't realize that.

From a guitar perspective, I can say that players drop tune to get important licks and open string phrases to come out right. I also feel that guitar and bass tone is better tuned down. And for anyone thinking that drop tuning implies lack of skill, it's all over the radio, because the greatest musi...

Question for Nashville studio guys:

When a song is recorded in F#, I know many guitar players will tune down a half step and play out of G position.

Do steel players do that, or play it in standard tuning (2nd fret) with all the sharps?

I was able to get this resolved. It took nearly all of the suggestions to get it done, so thanks to everyone who commented. 1. The stop screw moved it some, but not to a whole step 2. Moving the pushrod to the top changer slot got me close, but still no wholestep 3. What finally got me there was adj...

Thanks Bengt. I understand what you're saying. I will try to adjust the set screw, or if that doesn't work, try to move the rod to a new changer slot.

Regarding the 2nd string, what effect does overtuning have on the guitar? In other words, why is the slack necessary?

I know I like Lloyd Maines, at least what I've heard with the Dixie Chicks.

I'll check the others out. Thanks for the recommendations.

It's fun to be on a new music quest - finding "new" music and players

I agree Craig. I'm new to pedal steel (longtime semi-pro musician) and have been listening to alot of steel to find some players and tone I like best. I was locked into Ralph Mooney, Bruce Bouton and Sonny Garrish, then stumbled on this. I'm now listening to all the Dan Dugmore I can find. :lol: Any...

Thank you Tucker and Bengt for the detailed (and quick) answers! I don't know the names and locations of the parts you mention but will try to figure it out. I'm fairly mechanical, so adjusting things shouldn't be a problem, assuming I can find the right parts. :D Here are some pictures of the RKR l...

I recently bought a Derby SD10 and love it.

But I need to change the knee lever for the 1st string to pull a whole step instead of a half. Is this something I could change myself or should I find a steel mechanic?

This is about as good as it gets:

https://youtu.be/EE5r1izY37c

Just wanted to update this semi-old post with a high quality version of this great song.

I discovered it recently and it immediately moved to the top of my list for taste and tone. Among the very best steel has to offer.

https://youtu.be/EE5r1izY37c