Just getting started

Doug Fischer · From: Massachusetts, USA

Good day all, first day as a member. I may drive you all crazy with all the questions I have.
My father was the biggest Hank Sr. fan I know. I grew up listening to Hank. Well recently , unexpexted my Dad passed away. As I broke out is aeeay of Hank material, the sound of the stell grabbed my attention.
With no real instrument experience but a pure love for all kinds of music I wanted to give the lap steel a shot. At 46 am I too late?
I was looking at a Galevston twin to learn on is this a good choice?
Any thoughts on a decent inexpensive amp?

As I said I may drive you all crazy but I've read several posts here and you seem like a great group. I'm interested in learning Hanks music, but I personally have a love for the blues.
Great to part of such an outstanding forum, look forward to speaking with some of you

Edward Meisse · From: Santa Rosa, California, USA

Hank's music WAS the blues. If you're just a beginner with no experience on any instrument, I suggest beginning with the least possible amount of money. At Musician's Friend I think you can still get an Artisan or Morrell student model lap steel for under $100.00. As for amps, I would get a used practice amp for as low a price as possible.
I'd start out with instructional material from Scotty's Music. He has a C6 lap steel method and a couple of books of Hawaiian and country songs including a book of Hank's songs by none other than the man himself, DON HELMS. Now Don used an E6 tuning. But it is the same tuning as C6 but cranked up higher. You can play all the material in all these books in either tuning. For now I would just stay in C6. Experiment later.
Listen to alot of lap steel music such as the stuff available on the Forum mercantile section. That should help you decide which way to go next.
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Amor vincit omnia

Mark Lynott · From: Chicago, Illinois, USA

Doug, Hello and welcome! 46 too late? Not at all!
Never tried a Galveston, they have been discussed tho
http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=121681&highlight=galveston
I see that it's a 21" scale instrument, I do know that I grew out of the Morrell MLS lap steel pretty fast, with a similar short-short scale it just did not have much sustain/tone, even with upgrading the pickup and nut. Even an inexpensive 40's/50's Magnatone/Dickerson student model (22.5" scale-the "standard" short scale) will give a nicer tone and sustain IMO. Single neck, but it would get you started and many great players here on the SGF have kept theirs even though they have Rickenbachers, Fenders, etc.
I bought a Vox DA5 battery/ac modeling amp and have been very happy with it. Roland Micro Cube amps are defintely worth trying as well. Both go for under $150 from most retailers and like a good student model steel you'll likely keep it around no matter how advanced your gear arsenal gets.

Charles Davidson · From: Phenix City Alabama, USA

Welcome Doug from Alabama,good advice from all the guys above,IMO the C6th would be a good place to start,don't you know.
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Hard headed, opinionated old geezer. BAMA CHARLIE. GOD BLESS AMERICA. ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVIST. SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC !

Charles Davidson · From: Phenix City Alabama, USA

Just a side note,I had a NEW YORK PRO tele copy,not expensive but good value for the money,raised the nut,tuned to G6th,high to low,dbgebg,was great for playing blues with a distortion stomp box,don't you know.
_________________
Hard headed, opinionated old geezer. BAMA CHARLIE. GOD BLESS AMERICA. ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVIST. SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC !

Edward Meisse · From: Santa Rosa, California, USA

Isn't, "Don't you Know," a question? Shouldn't it therefore have a question mark:?: Idea

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Amor vincit omnia

Jerry Overstreet · From: Louisville Ky

Hey Doug and welcome. IMO, you would be best served to buy the best instrument you can afford. Resale value is better if necessary, and you won't have to fight shortcuts inherent in all cheap units.

The better an instrument sounds and plays, the easier the execution and the more you can concentrate on the mechanics of learning.

Don Kona Woods · From: Hawaiian Kama'aina

Jerry has some very good recommendations.

To me that is the way to go. It helps to have a nice sounding instrument. Having a good instrument may also increase your incentive to learn the instrument. I started at 52 yrs of age with a Sho-Bud fry pan. I loved that sound and have been playing ever since. Now I have 10 steel guitars. You know - GAS.

Aloha, and welcome to the Forum. Smile

Don

Doug Fischer · From: Massachusetts, USA

Lots of great advice, thank you very much. Will start looking into getting a decent lap steel to start. Hopefully someday I'll be able to post some playin

Thanks again

Gary Boyett · From: Colorado/ Lives in Arizona

If you want to learn Hank there is no better place to start than Right Here

Don Helms book is probably the best place. I notice 0b said he was out of stock. If b0b can't get it soon you may try Sottys music in St. Louis. Someone has got to have a copy.

Good luck.

Delvin Morgan · From: Lindstrom, Minnesota, USA

Don Helm's book is great. BTW, it also works with PSG, because his E13th tuning is very much like the E9 neck.

my 2 bits

Charley Wilder · From: Dover, New Hampshire, USA

Doug, I would agree with Edward's suggestion to maybe start with a method book. Playing Don's music would be a bit easier in my estimation if you are familiar with playing the C6 tuning some (or any other tuning for that matter) before you jump right on Don's music. As popular as the C6 tuning is I'm sure there are several good method courses available for the beginner as well as other levels as you progress.
Also IMHO it might be better looking for a bit better instrument than a real cheap beginner model that, as mentioned, you might want to upgrade in just a few months. Good luck!

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