The Steel Guitar Forum

Any idea who this steel player is? This some fantastic steel playing - on a great song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSjFtccZAbM

If chrome is at times too reflective, why doesn’t a steel company produce a “sideman” all matte black version and eliminate anything shiny?

I’ll be at loose ends in Houston on Monday, March 14 and possibly Tuesday the 15th, and wondering if anyone is giving in-person lessons. Mostly Interested in improving my improvising, learning to “play the melody” (which has been a struggle for me), and using alternative/substitute chords. I’m an E9...

I read somewhere Flint was thee original, or at least one of whoever comprised of original. I've noticed his original and long-time fiddle player is no longer with him either. Maybe they get tired of the road and need a change from playing the same songs. I’d imagine at some point it hinders your cr...

Has anyone tried plastic picks for the index and middle finger? I’ve wondered about them because I tend to get irritating string buzz when pick blocking with the traditional metal picks. Obviously there’s going to be a tonal difference, but not as mellow and “fat” as the use of fingers alone...

If budget allows, G-2. Always G-2.

That is a huge orchestration, why did they go with what looks like two identical keyboards? And I thought the use of a stand-up bass was unconventional for the setting (although pretty cool). Interesting band and sound.

My G-2 has a LKL that raises the Es like all others, but a second LKL set back and a little to the left that lowers my 2nd string from D# to D and raises the 7th string from F# to G. What do I do with this? Not only do I not know how this change makes sense but I find it uncomfortable to engage, so ...

What Dave Meis said about height being a function of your lower leg and upper arm. That’s advice I should have had a long time ago.

I've tried the Jeff Newman course (in fact, I think all of them), and the only thing I learned from Just Play the Melody was how to play the tab he provided, I never picked upon how he arrived at exactly what he did on the neck. That's not a universal opinion on all of his courses, just that one. Bo...

I agree. I constantly hear guys say "just play the melody," yet doing that has proven impossible for me. I've also read "if you can hum it, you can play it." Again, no. I can hum a million melodies in my head and can never translate that to my hands, fingers and feet. I understan...

It’s a combination of both: Live Steel strings and a Telonics pickup: doesn’t get any better than that. (Undoubtedly someone will mention technique—true, but why not start from a position of best advantage?)

If you increase the string diameter, the string's cross-sectional area goes up, but the tension required to get it up to the desired pitch goes up at the same rate, so nothing is gained. So, not that it’s an option, but theoretically if you tuned it to G and raised it to G# would you have less br...

Tucker: I looked at some of the other pics and see that they have a lot more wrap than I do. I went about 2 and 1/2 posts beyond the third (rather than the usual 2) and thought that was enough, but obviously not. Oddly I thought too much wrap would be a problem, turns out just the opposite. I just o...

Reviving an old but relevant post. I recently received two sets of Jagwire Lloyd Green series strings with the .115 gauge 3rd string. I went with .115 because I wanted to try the tonal differences, not because I had ever broke a 3rd string. I’ve used .11 Jagwire, SIT and Live Steel Strings on the ...

Well, I’m not the steel guitar virtuoso or tab expert you are, but I probably make more decisions before you roll out of bed in Texas then you’ll make in a year. Nonetheless I appreciate your concern and will take your advice to heart. Now let’s put our d#@ks way and get back to playing steel.

The first rule of any good company spokesman is to attack and discredit the observations of consumers. I’ve used SIT, Jagwire, and Live Steel: they’re all good but let’s face it, just one component of any players tone regardless of skill and experience level. Thanks for making my future string...

Lee: yes, purchased directly from Jagwire. I agree Jagwire strings are good, but not so much better than any of the other top brands that I'm willing to sit in cigarette smoke to use them. And my post wasn't to pass judgement on whether or not Danny and Regena are good people, but to get a read on w...

Recently received two sets of Jagwires and they wreak of cigarette smoke! I never had this with other Jagwire sets (though it’s been a while since I bought from them), is anyone else have this problem? It’s so strong I can smell it throughout the entire room—it’s off putting. Its actually ma...

Trevor, Do yourself a favor and get longer rods. I tried rod extensions before and just didn’t like it. It looks a little hodgepodge and there’s just more to mess around with. I think it’s neater, cleaner, and easier to adjust then trying to connect two pieces of rod. Keep your old rods for wh...

I waited a long time for my dream guitar, and it didn’t disappoint...

Mullen. Always Mullen.

Classy looking guitar. Good choice in color.

And nice to see some material on what a lot of bands are playing these days—because crowds are asking for it. We have plenty of versions of Crazy Arms or Manson on the Hill. I’ll be signing up soon (and keep ‘em coming).

I’ve been looking for tab and fill ideas on this song for years. I know just about every band has to play it but no one tabbed it. thanks for posting!