Why can't our steels look more "cool"?

Tony Palmer · Post by **Tony Palmer** » 11 Feb 2009 12:34 pm

No matter how we improve them mechanically, we're still forced to sit down behind a rectangular box and push pedals while looking down at our hands.
No wonder we're considered boring!
The steel player is always pushed to the back of the stage on tv performances because he's nothing exciting to look at.
Can't someone come up with, say a guitar shaped pedal steel, or an x shaped support instead of four legs...or something a little more cool looking?
We could use a better image.

Ken Byng · Post by **Ken Byng** » 11 Feb 2009 12:40 pm

Tony
If there is a cooler looking instrument than a steel guitar, I haven't seen it. Far better than a keyboard on an X stand.

In my musical life I have had a number of women who have said "that instrument is so sexy". They definitely weren't referring to the player!!

Charles Rodrigues · Post by **Charles Rodrigues** » 11 Feb 2009 12:59 pm

Tony,
I thought you were on vacation in Florida and drinking Pina Colladas (sp). How many did you have?

Nice to see you on the Forum.

Chuck

Bill Ford · Post by **Bill Ford** » 11 Feb 2009 1:11 pm

Tony,
Have you ever seen a "Brad's rack"?

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopi ... highlight=

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 11 Feb 2009 1:40 pm

Tony, at the Southwestern steel show in Phoenix last month, we saw a prototype of a stand-up pedal steel tht Jerry Fessenden and Jim Palenscar have been working on together*. Now this could be the answer to your prayers.

*I assume it wasn't supposed to be a secret since they had it out in the open and anybody who showed up in the exhibit room at the right time got to see it.

Walter Killam · Post by **Walter Killam** » 11 Feb 2009 1:46 pm

What could possibly be cooler that 10 strings on a black box?

dude.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 11 Feb 2009 2:04 pm

20 strings on a black box, dude.

Ronnie Boettcher · Post by **Ronnie Boettcher** » 11 Feb 2009 2:05 pm

I think you hit you head on something. The steel guitars are fabulous, Best looking instruments made.

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 11 Feb 2009 2:12 pm

??? Pedal steels are the coolest looking instrument just the way they are.

Bill Ford · Post by **Bill Ford** » 11 Feb 2009 2:12 pm

12 strings on a red keyboard looking thingy.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 11 Feb 2009 2:13 pm

Walter Killam wrote:What could possibly be cooler that 10 strings on a black box? dude.

um... two groupies on each arm?

Walter Killam · Post by **Walter Killam** » 11 Feb 2009 2:21 pm

PSG=cool
Groupies=well that depends on the groupies!

Al Udeen · Post by **Al Udeen** » 11 Feb 2009 3:14 pm

I would not want the hippie term "COOL" to be associated with steel guitars, I saw a blue Super-Pro for sale on forum a few days ago that sold in a New York minute, It was absolutely gorgeous but not COOL, Look up the meaning of gorgeous, That describes a steel perfectly! au

Bill Patton · Post by **Bill Patton** » 11 Feb 2009 3:36 pm

This is how keyboard players ended up with the "key-tar." So be careful what you ask for...

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 11 Feb 2009 4:28 pm

Tony Palmer wrote: Can't someone come up with, say a guitar shaped pedal steel, or an x shaped support instead of four legs...or something a little more cool looking?
We could use a better image.

Our image comes mostly from what we play and how we play it.

What we really need, IMHO, is a good many better and more imaginative players. The fanciest steel you could imagine with a player whining away at "Release Me" just ain't gonna excite the masses. It's really not only the instrument shape and the players that are boring, but also their music.

Vanilla ice cream in a Tiffany bowl lit up by lasers is still just vanilla ice cream.

Tom Quinn · Post by **Tom Quinn** » 11 Feb 2009 4:42 pm

Are you kidding? Pedal steels are w-a-y cool looking.

It's what's in the driver's seat that is hurting. But hey, Buddy was cool, with that goatee and dressed to the nines. The guy on Marty Stuart's show is also pretty hip. Chris Ivey is a heart throb!

Terje Brattsveen · Post by **Terje Brattsveen** » 11 Feb 2009 4:57 pm

Get a FENDER !

Austin Tripp · Post by **Austin Tripp** » 11 Feb 2009 5:32 pm

Here are some of the "cool" things you can do with a steel guitar that you cant do with any other instrument out there (except a piano but they dont count)

1. we get to sit down and play instead of standing up.
2. if you ever play at a dinner, you always have a place to set your plate.
3. if your ever playing a show and your very tired, during a break you can lay your head down and take a ciesta.
4. if a tornado ever comes while your at a show, you have something to take cover under.
5. if your kids ever want to make a "fort" you can throw a blanket over the steel and make a tent. (trust me, I had to do it with my niece.
6. if you ever get mad at someone, throw your bar at them, (not that i've ever done that)

Im pretty sure there are more "cool" things you can do with a steel guitar that you cant do with any other instrument but I will have to figure out what they are.

chas smith · Post by **chas smith** » 11 Feb 2009 6:08 pm

Titanium tubing, 12-strings with an 8-string bass. It weighs 28# and it's machined for 5 pedals and 4 knees.

Cliff Kane · Post by **Cliff Kane** » 11 Feb 2009 6:37 pm

Stretch a sheet across the legs and project a movie on it.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 11 Feb 2009 6:41 pm

OK, Chas. You win. No contest.

Doug Palmer · Post by **Doug Palmer** » 11 Feb 2009 6:41 pm

I'd like to see a polyester high gloss finish on a steel. Like that on a high end grand piano. Reflective, very cool.

Mike Poholsky · Post by **Mike Poholsky** » 11 Feb 2009 6:54 pm

How exciting do you want to be?

Rusty Young has always been one of the most dynamic players I've ever seen. One of the reasons I started this madness!

Bill Dobkins · Post by **Bill Dobkins** » 11 Feb 2009 7:08 pm

I do a lite show when I'm playing, complete with mirror ball and strobe. That way nobody gives a crap that I can't play. With this said, I hear the same thing about tele's (thier just a slab of word)so why does everyone play one. Cause they sound good.

Tommy Shown · Post by **Tommy Shown** » 11 Feb 2009 8:07 pm

Why mess with something that's cool,
IF IT AIN'T BROKE, DON'T FIX IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Why can't our steels look more "cool"?

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