The Steel Guitar Forum

I'm in the Heights. Been playing lap steel for about seven years (I think, but don't quote me) but only seriously for 2.5 years. My main rig is a Goldtone through a GK MB-200, and my main gig is with Umbrella Man here in Houston (taking over from the much more adept Bart Maloney, who I believe is al...

I have both. I gigged regularly with an 8 string Morrell for a long time, and it was fine; but there is simply no comparison between the Goldtone and the Morrell. The Goldtone is a beautiful instrument to play, an instrument that feels great and sounds even better. The Morrell will just get you by, ...

So, thanks everyone for your thoughts. I ended up going with the MB200, after a lot of research and consideration. I put it through a 12" Emminence Commonwealth and pretty much instantly got the best lap steel tone I've ever had. I did two gigs in one night with the setup this weekend and was c...

Bill, your MB200 recommendation intrigued me and after looking around at all the info out there I'm actually really leaning towards getting one. I noticed that a couple of years ago you were actually recommending against getting one, or at least expressing huge reservations about the MB200. What's c...

Cool, I think I'll get one after all. Thanks for the feedback.

The Fender Hot Rod Blues Junior I've been playing on for a while now crapped out and I need to get something new. After doing some research I'm really leaning towards the Nashville 112. I like the fact that it has kind of a "flat" tone that seems like can be shaped in any direction. If som...

Thanks for the advice. I managed to string the guitar up (after getting over my stupidity; it's actually pretty simple once you get that cover off) and played it at a gig in Dallas on Saturday. Sounded really great. I definitely recommend at least trying out this instrument. I think I am going to en...

Okay, I see. I haven't tried it with the cover off. I did try holding it down while tightening but it didn't work. I guess with the cover off the angle may be better.

Thanks for the heads up.

I purchased a Gold Tone, and am trying to restring it with the gauges I use. The bridge is a weird design, and I can't figure out how to keep the string ball in the slot it's supposed to sit in. It fits in there, but as soon as I tighten the string it just pops out. The strings that came with the in...

Interesting. This is all good info.

As far as the pickup, what an odd thing. I have noticed that the high string is very weak. You really have to dig into it to get a good sound out of it. That explains that issue.

Thanks for the help, everyone, I do have a better idea of what needs to be done.

Good suggestions. The strings are brand new, so I don't think they are too dirty; but I will check the bridge and nut with your comments in mind and see if that is the problem.

Thank you.

I have an 8 string Morrell (this one: http://www.morrellmusic.com/p-10112-jmprb-8-joe-morrell-pro-8-string-lap-steel-retro-blue.aspx) that I have tuned to C6. I recently pulled it out for a project I am working on and noticed that it was playing weird. If I held the bar over the fret, as in every ot...

Yes, that's it, Kristal not Krystal. I reviewed that page last night, but didn't find what I needed. It was pretty late, so maybe I was too tired to be trying to figure it out. I'll look it over again. In the meantime, if someone knows the answer in plain english, please let me know. Thanks again.

Hello all, I had a quick question about using my Lexicon Lambda interface with Krystal. I have it set up and it works fine, but only on the "Instrument In" jack on the front of the interface. I can't get any of the other line ins or mic inputs to hear anything. I've used the interface befo...

It's good to see some fellow fans on here. Just got done cranking The Last In Line album.

We will miss him. Thanks for showing your appreciation for his wonderful career.

I'm surprised that no one on the board has recognized the life of the great figure that was Ronnie James Dio. He passed away this past Sunday here in Houston (literally within walking distance of my home) of stomach cancer (I've heard different reports that he died in L.A. or in Houston, but I tend ...

I have one Moog theremin for sale. It is brand new, as I have never been able to use it. It is in perfect condition; I simply have not been able to devote any time to the instrument. Please email if you are interested at johnnypneumonia at gmail.com. See this link for instrument details: http://folk...

Is anyone going to this?:

http://katyguitarfest.com/

Herb Remington will be performing, along with some other interesting artists (Mike Wheeler in particular).

Does anyone know what tunings Noel Boggs used? The only thing I can find with a search on the forum and on Google is that he used Leon McCauliffe's E13.

I'm sure he used others, and I'm sure he played around with his own E13 version.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

Just kick the trash to the side of the stage. It's not your responsibility, it's the venue's. As long as you don't kick the trash on the dance floor, I think you're cool. I've played in enough sh-holes to know that if the stage is like that, they don't really care what the rest of the place is like....

By the way... I was fortunate enough to play for several years with country swinger Sean Reefer. He talked, hooted, hollered, and announced the soloists, including the upright bassist AND drummer, every time we played our choruses - and he also called the solos (like Bob Wills). The reaction from th...

In Eldon Shamblin's words: Bob Wills had a dynamic personality! Bob himself was such an entertainer! I can truthfully say that as many years as I was on the band, he never failed to entertain me (my emphasis). I enjoyed his antics on stage - super! And the people - I saw old people walk up front and...

Sean Reefer out of Texas does a lot of yodeling, and he nails it every time.

A lot depends on WHO is doing the yodeling. I would cringe if I heard most singers try to do it; I think it has to come naturally to you to even attempt it.

Eastern music isn't organized around chord progressions like it is in the West, so a chord wouldn't make much sense in what they are playing. This music is modal. What's funny is that it's all (East and West) based on the same thing: the Overtone Series. We just approach it chordally, and they appro...

I talked to Randy the other day. What an incredible guitarist that guy is, and an all around decent guy on top. Tell him I said hello next time you see him. The Eldon sound that really floors me is from the "For the Last Time" era, since at that time I am sure he is playing a Strat. It's g...