| Author |
Topic: A Sneaky Technique Question? |
Mike Poholsky
From:
Kansas, USA
|
Posted 10 May 2008 6:17 am |
|
I've been listening to Sneaky Petes self titled solo album the last few days.(Shiloh Records '79) There are a few songs that he plays "guitar" solos on steel. The song "Sleepy Lagoon" is a slow number where you can really hear the technique. It sounds like a freakin guitar. Almost like he is fretting some how. I was just wondering if anyone knew if he used a regular guitar pick or maybe just played with the thumbpick to get that sound? I have no idea WHAT he's doing with his bar!
Man, that record has some incredible steel sounds on it. Another true innovator of the instrument.
_________________
Zumsteel 12 Universal
SGBB
ShoBud VP
'64 Fender Twin Reverb/Fox Rehab
Fender Steel King w/BW 1501-4
FX to Taste |
|
|
|
Russ Tkac
|
Posted 10 May 2008 8:06 am
|
|
You can find most of what you're looking for in the article in this post.
Here
I now see you're in the post as well. From what I know he used the tip of the bar.
Russ |
|
|
|
Mike Poholsky
From:
Kansas, USA
|
Posted 10 May 2008 8:28 am
|
|
Yea Russ, that was my article, but it doesn't say anything about the actual "guitar" technique. It sounds so much like a guitar it's amazing. I was just trying to figure out how he was picking it.
_________________
Zumsteel 12 Universal
SGBB
ShoBud VP
'64 Fender Twin Reverb/Fox Rehab
Fender Steel King w/BW 1501-4
FX to Taste |
|
|
|
Jerry Overstreet
From:
Louisville Ky
|
Posted 10 May 2008 2:51 pm
|
|
I don't know either. Matter of fact it's playing while I'm responding to your topic. If I had to guess, I'd say he was probably using a straight pick or a thumbpick. I'd probably be wrong, 'cause Pete had a terrific musician's mind. 
Effects wise, I think I hear a bit of phaser, beyond that, I don't have a clue re: the technique nor the perfect guitar tone.
When I first got this album, I just assumed that the solo on Lagoon was guitar...the tone and execution sounds exactly like what a guitar player would do. Later on, searching the cover for credits, I figured they must have just omitted the guitar player credit. Finally, I read the note under the title that reads "Guitar" solo played on Steel by Sneaky Pete.
He was an inspiration to me and a huge reason for my commitment to learn steel guitar. One of the unique characteristics of his was to think music rather than steel guitar. He was a master at playing whatever fit the song. We could all take a lesson from Pete on how to approach a tune based on it's style and message v. it's pigeon hole genre.and/or the instrument it's being performed on.
I'm sure you probably read the liner notes on the back where He states he worked a lot with trios...and found himself playing guitar or organ sounds among others when he felt bored or dissatisfied with what he was doing on steel.
A simply amazing artist in many respects and a brilliant musician IMO.
Couple other interesting facts about Sneaky Pete Kleinow: His steel guitar hero? Jerry Byrd.
Worked with many people of nearly every musical style... too numerous to mention here. Among them, Stevie Wonder and the BeeGee's.
His hometown? South Bend, Ind.
Seems like South Bend was the hometown of some pretty daggone good steel pickers, no? |
|
|
|
